About to go to Uni and he wants to change course !

[Travelledtheworld]

DS got good A levels and was offered a place at a Russell Group University to study a science degree. But ever since A level results he has been moping around and acting a bit weird and showing little enthusiasm for actually going to University. I kept asking, "Are you OK, ? Is this what you really want to do ?"
Yesterday he admits he doesn't want to do this course at all, but wants to do a Social Science subject. He has found the course he wants to do and is planning to try to switch as soon as he turns up at University. They still have spaces and accept late entries.

I have suggested to DS he tries a couple of weeks of his science degree first, or that he turns down the place and takes a year off while he considers what to do.

Haven't told DS yet who will go bonkers. He is an engineer and doesn't see the point of arts and social sciences at all.

Any advice, anyone ?

Let him study the subject he chooses. Crazy to force him into something he doesn't like! One of my unemployed cousins has a science degree- it doesn't always guarantee work!
Regarding DH... I wonder what he'd think of the fact that I've an arts degree and now work in a fairly well paid IT job. Arts can be a good well rounded degree when you're young and have no idea what future career you want.

He has to do something which inspires him. Watch J.K. Rowling's speech switching worked out ok for her!

Is he aware that a history is a huge part of politics? My eldest has been disappointed at just how much is history essay writing rather than getting to argue her political point

The politics and economics mix may suit him better. He really needs to look at the detail of the courses.

Ds says it varies but a lot of modern history comes into politics and ir but it depends on the focus of the modules. He has studied the Cold War in various modules and will probably do so again when studying US Foreign Policy. Democracy in Britain looked at developments in 19th/20th centuries and recent constitutional change. Also studied political theory and thinkers, with reference to past events. However he has also studied Research Methods, Political Communication and will do a placement this year (finalist) which are looking at practical applications.

Politics with Economics sounds like a very good combination.

I have a degree in Economics. I was torn between it and Physics / Maths. Either would have led to a career in Banking / Finance / Politics. Politics and Economics sounds like an ideal fit for your DS and if it is what he is interested in then it is in no way a waste of a STEM brain.

OP here.
Just an update folks, in the end he switched to BSc Economics with options to do Politics and Russian and he seems to be enjoying his new course.
It was a cross faculty transfer but all the departmental admissions tutors were very supportive.