Has anyone's DC gone to uni at 16 recently? (Scotland)

[AgentProvocateur]

I was 16, and, in retrospect, too young and immature to make the most of it. However, that was over 30 years ago.

DS got an excellent set of Higher results today, but has lost interest in school and isn't keen on going back for S6.

He's thinking about clearing if the courses he wants to do are available, but he's not 17 until Dec.

Can anyone give me a compelling reason why he's too young (apart from not being able to get served in pubs - he looks about 25!), preferably based on recent experience.

TIA

Sorry no experience, but can understand the reluctance to go back for 6th year, DD just completed 6th year and it was a waste of time as she got her confirmed place on the basis of her 5th year results and hasn't done well at advanced highers as no pressure to perform. However she would have been too immature for uni last year too.

The main drawback I can think of is that there might not be places available on good Any chance he could do a year at college and live at home if he really doesn't want to go back to school?

Thank you. DC1 has just wasted S6 - he got an unconditional in November, and has just pissed away the rest of the year. I think that's why DS2 doesn't want to do it.

I'm hopeful that the choice of courses and unis available in clearing wont be great (selfishly!) and that his friends all decide to go back too.

I'll take him out for dinner next week once the euphoria of the results has worn off.

Speaking to DD tonight she said she knew of someone who left after 5th year and worked for a year before going on to uni. How about that?

I think she wishes she had done that now. Certainly would have been better than wasting 6th year.

I went at just turned 17. That was getting on for 20 years ago, though!

With hindsight, I think I was too young.

How about a gap year?

Thank you both. He could work for a year in the two jobs he already has. Not sure if the transition of going to uni (away from home, so not able to keep on jobs) would be so easy if he'd been earning for a year. Gap year abroad is another possibility, but again, he's only 16...

I can understand why he wants to go now. However, unless he is a very old 16, there are reasons he could struggle to cope. These are the main ones I can think of, for you and him to consider.

-At 16, if he choses to live away, could finding rental accomadation be a problem? If he's going through clearing, his chances of getting a place in halls are minimal.
-He may also find it harder to find a part time job than someone of 18.
-Has he got the maturity and experience to manage his money, and pay his bills and so on?
-Do you think he would cope with living in a shared house? Would he pull his weight with housework etc? When one person in the house is more immature than the others, it can make for an unplesant living experience.
-How long has he been "home alone" for, before?
-Will he cope socially? Whilst in Scotland, there may be some other 17 year olds, the majority will still be 18, or even older. At this age, a few years of life experience can mean a lot.
-Is he self motivated enough? Uni will require him to be a "self-starter", so asking for any help he needs, organising his own time and so on. If he struggles with this, there won't be anyone to chase him up. The higher tuition fees don't mean Unis are more student focused.
-At 18/19 he's going to be writing his dissertation, and preparing for final exams, whilst the novelty of drinking and going out to bars may not have worn off yet. At 19, he'll have to get his first proper job.
-Is he really sure of the subject he wants to study, as it may narrow down his job options a lot.

If it were me, based on my experiences of universities, and how they work, I think even 17 is too young. Some of the younger/more immature 18yo struggle- this is one of the reasons why gap years are so common. It's quite a big financial commitment, to decide he's not ready six months in.

Thanks for thoughtful post, slowloris. The point about doing his dissertation at 19 made him think..

Anyway, he's been up to the school, and Edinburgh aren't doing clearing this year, and his teacher has said that he'll eat his hat if the courses he wants to do are offered through clearing by any other uni.

Long story short, he's decided to go back, and so have most of his friends. Thanks for all your help.