Daughter hasn’t a clue what to do at uni....help!

[DryWhiteagainW]

My daughter is in lower sixth studying for Biology, French and History A levels and doing maths AS in a couple of weeks.
She did extremely well in GCSEs (10 A*,1 A) but is finding the jump to a level really hard and she’s picked 3 meaty subjects. The only one she enjoys and might consider at uni is biology but she’s very worried as her grades aren’t good in assessments.
Although she’s doing very “academic” subjects she’s actually very creative, loves music and art, has worked in catering and now retail on the weekends.She just doesn’t see studying a traditional subject at all but she really wants the university experience and a qualification that will lead to an interesting job.
But any advice at school hasn’t been terribly helpful.
Any ideas of couses she should look at?

A gap year sounds like a good plan, but it might also be worth looking into a Liberal Arts degree.

Could I suggest that she really needs to think about what sort of work she wants to do. I know you have said she hasn't a clue but it's pointless doing a degree and hoping it will be ok. I've met many people recently in jobs where a degree wasn't necessary and hasn't given them any extra insight into the work, or salary etc. So it's 3 years of fees to start at the bottom when others who started straight from school are way ahead.

My dd is in a similar position and is taking a gap year. I'm a bit worried she'll end up just drifting through life as I did but have to concede it's the best option for now.

University really isn't the be all and end all IME.
My DS dropped out in sheer frustration and boredom at the end of his second year, mainly because he chose the wrong course and wasn't really mature enough. He now has a very successful career in something completely different.
I think a gap year and some work experience can be really helpful at this age. University is very, very expensive so being sure of making the right decision is very important.

I think something very broad like business is good in this situation. And by doing French she might get opportunities to do a placement/study abroad. A business degree gets you exposure to so many career options - finance, marketing, hr, corporate responsibility etc.

If she doesn't know then don't let her go until she does

My dd was a straight A/A* student right through. She was going to Oxford, then at the last minute realised she never wanted to write another exam paper ever again.
She is now making a successful career in another field entirely.
This generation are likely to be working into their 70s, and may well have several different careers over the course of their working lives.
Also, education is much more available than it was for those of us now in our 50s and 60s.
If your dd is a bright girl, she will do ok.

I’d also add there’s no rush - so much to be gained from a gap year working (even in normal jobs) if nothing else some spare £££. I earn my loads of money working as a care assistant between 16-19, wish I’d saved it!!

What does she like doing outside school? I was similar - a arts/science A-level split. I was going to study english at university but ended up doing biology because of a hobby. I haven't regretted it and have had lots of opportunities to use my language skills. As said above most biology courses would need a second science so she might need to either step up the maths A-level or take chemistry in a gap year (from what I remember many courses require chemistry).

Definitely think she would be best off doing a gap year or two before running into anything. Could she get work experience to try any of the ideas above that might appeal. Another idea might be to look at courses abroad (like the states) where first year is very broad and she could then narrow down. Although I think she would still need to know whether going arts or science route.

I did events management and would thoroughly recommend it- there is lots of opportunities for transferring similar skills in the second year and changing course.

For example there are modules in advertising and media, accounting, food and beverage, tourism, business as well as many others that I can’t remember- but these were the foundation for the other degrees as well, eg an accounting degree, a tourism degree, advertising etc if these seemed more up her street.

There are lots of options for sandwich courses and events management gives you a thorough understanding in business management, risk assessment etc also. There is the opportunity then to branch into a more specialised area (hospitality management, overseas tourism, corporate event management) it isn’t all wedding planning and confetti.

I really enjoyed the course and would pick it again in a heartbeat

There would also be a great opportunity to run a modern language course alongside another degree, which would come in really handy!

Difficult then. ONe of her 3 A levels eg History might be the obvious choice. Or if she wants to get to the best university (which will therefore give most job choices later) pick something hardly anyone wants to do like Ango Saxon norse and celtic at an obscure Oxbridge college - research the least popular course at the best place.

Languages are a fantastic asset. Definitely encourage her to get fluent in at least one MFL. A gap year in the appropriate country can be great for this.

What do the teachers say about her biology op - is it a question of 'keep working at it and you can do really well'?

If so, and dd enjoys it, maybe that is the answer - as other pp say, dd might have to do a second science (or maths? not sure if that is a substitute for a second science if you want to do biology) in a gap year. Or maybe carry on with maths and perhaps drop French or History if she's not enjoying those.

The idea of doing another a level in a gap year isn't very appealing to students, as they want to be getting on with their futures, and also some of them just want/need a total break from exams/course work etc. But in the long term it may be worth it in order to do what they really want - and not surprising if that changes at some point after they've chosen A level options.

Also I think not all biology degrees would require a second science/maths, although many no doubt do. Might also be worth seeing if any universities do a foundation year for students without the additional science a level?

About dd's biology assessments at school, things may also become clearer after the end of year exams, and predicted grades if school gives those out at the end of term (some do, some wait until autumn).

If she has no idea I would absolutely recommend a gap year. Get some work/travel under her belt. Life experience is just as important as academic experience. I wish I had given myself a year or two to discover myself and live a little before entering in to a world of debt and study.

It sounds to me that she would benefit from a US style Liberal Arts college.

But as she is taking French maybe a Canadian college.

www.bachelorsportal.com/studies/235248/liberal-studies.html?

Fees in Canada are similar to UK but there are lots of bursaries and A Levels give you 'advanced standing'.

I haven't got any suggestions for courses however I think a gap year would be a good idea. Uni is 3 years & doesn't guarantee a job these days maybe get her going to a few jobs fairs & see what employers are looking for?
Also it would give time to do some work experience in different jobs & save some money to go to uni as well.

A couple of people have suggested Liberal Arts. I thought the same.
My niece is doing it at Leeds

courses.leeds.ac.uk/g809/liberal-arts-ba

I pressed post too soon. She is really enjoying it. She also looked at Surrey and Birmingham.

I think she should do French or History at the very best hardest to get into university she can manage (or my other suggestion above - totally different subject if easier to get in with). Loads of companies do the milk round recruitment for the very best graduates from good universities but she will need to pick a subject at some stage.

UCL does a degree called Bachelor of Arts and Sciences where the admissions criteria is to have a mix of arts and science A Levels. Students get to pick modules according to their interests.

www.ucl.ac.uk/basc/

There are quite a few 'combined studies' courses too where you start by taking 2 or 3 subjects and either continuing them or choosing to follow one or two.

Don't worry too much - I did higher maths, chemistry, biology, music, Latin, and English. Then advanced higher maths, chemistry and biology. Studied biology at uni.... And now I'm a goldsmith.

Even if she makes a choice and goes with science, the creative options are not closed to her.

Would she be interested in Medicine? She's clearly bright enough but I imagine she'd need to take on a Chemistry A level to apply for Medicine.

Alternatively she could do a Biochemistry or Neuroscience degree and if she did want to pursue medicine she could take a graduate entry course after her degree.

Maybe she could construct a list of possible future careers?