Y12 son has no idea what he wants to do at uni

[buffy20]

My Y12 son is studying English Lit, History and Business Studies for A-level. At the moment he's on track to get BBB but I'm sure he could squeeze an A in at least one of them if he tried. He's bright, but not particularly driven or enthusiastic, happy to coast.

I always knew what I wanted to study at uni so my parents didnt even need to get involved in the process. However, my son has no idea, none at all. I've been trying to gently coax him into looking at law, I think that would play to his strengths but Im starting to get a bit panicky (he's not) about what he's going to do when the time to apply comes round later this year.

I would love for him to go to a Russell Group, but not sure 3 Bs would cut it. I just wish he had some idea of what he wanted to do

I wondered if anyone else with kids has been in a similar situation with similar subjects and how things turned out for them.

Thanks!

I think Bath count the Welsh Bacc - pretty sure they drop a grade. So your DS could apply for ABB courses with his BBB prediction. Bath isn’t RG but it is very highly regarded for a lot of subjects. It probably has the ‘prestige’ you mentioned. Check Birmingham too. Is he doing EPQ as a few drop a grade if he gets A or above.

Sound more like you want him to go to uni than he does .
The only people I know who have made a success of the uni qualifaction all knew what career they wanted . So they had to go to uni to get xyz so they could get there dream job.
Other friends have gone taken what subjects they liked or were good at. One of them works in asda till something better comes along ,Other has never worked .

Law is very very intense and pressured think he would really struggle if his hearts not in it and only done it to please you.

Why is he going to university then. This is the problem. Kids feeling they should go but have no interest in what they study!

@firsttimekat agreed!

it's kind of a given. I'm reluctant for a gap year because I think he will lose momentum

Speaking as an actual academic, in an area where I might teach someone like your son, I think you really really need to back off. If he doesn't know what he wants to do at university he should not go. Yet.

He doesn't need to go to university if he doesn't know what he wants to study there. I get so sick & tired of chasing up young people (often hapless boys to be frank) who are not committed to their studies. They say they are, but their actions speak differently.

University isn't a middle-class finishing school. IT's about a serious transformation of a teenager into an adult. But it's not the only way to make that step - some time in the work force might be a salutary experience about being bright but coasting.

I feel that if like my son you're unclear about what you want to do then the best thing is to go somewhere with a bit of "prestige" as that will obviously open more doors for you

Ugh.

Very very bad reasoning.

And places with a "bit of prestige" push and challenge students. I know, because I teach at one.

-It's still early days. Plenty of time for him to come up with something he wants to do
-loads of people switch courses at Uni. One of my DCs pals switched from Maths to Biologhy and back to Maths again (RG Uni)

-The actual degree doesn't actually matter too much for many careers. Have a look through some grad scheme application requirements
-A first or 2:1 from a non RG Uni may be more attractive to future employers than a lower degree from a 'better' degree
-some degrees offer a LOT more choice of modules than others.

It's a bugger that you can't go to
Uni open days. My kids found them invaluable for sorting out exactly what they were looking for. I guess you son could take a gap year so that he could time to do more research.

How about you get him to order paper copies of University prospectuses - if he leaves them lying around he might find it easier to browse through them. Sometimes I think paper copies can be easier to browse through than websites

I second StellaDendrite that having a few prospectuses for him to flick through is a good way to understand what’s ‘out there’. If he still doesn’t know come September /October when he needs to start applying then a year of work, in whatever that may be, won’t do any harm. I know a number of boys (no girls interestingly) who have done this then applied to university with very definite ideas and motivation. They’ve not done much in their year off, even prior to covid, but that still gave them time to consider, grow and somewhat mature. There’s absolutely no rush.

The UCAS site has details on its exhibitions - formerly 'UCAS Fairs' - many schools take their year 12s to their nearest one as a school trip, but students can attend as individuals (and obviously have to at the moment, as the events are currently virtual)

www.ucas.com/ucas/events/find/scheme/undergraduate/type/exhibition?layout=list

Op have you posted this before? Because there was an exact same thread recently about a lad who didn’t know what he wanted to do, was forecast three bs, but could squeeze an a, the op wanted him to do law ans he was also doing the Welsh baccalaureate.

You were told quite clearly on that thread why law wasn’t a good idea for him. How come you’re asking the sams question again?

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/4131642-BA-Law-and-legal-practice-or-the-traditional-BA-hons-Law-LLB-route

Was this the thread you meant, @Bluntness100? That poster's DS had the same predicted grades for A level / Welsh Bacc, but had already done AS levels and was in the process of applying to universities, though.

Yes that’s the one I was thinking of...thanks!

He might enjoy an archaeology degree, worth a look to see if it sparks some interest. Gap year would be best.

My 16-year-old recently found it helpful to talk to one of the career staff at his college. They set up a Teams meeting with him, talked out his thoughts, he was able to ask follow up questions with the chat function, they were able to get him answers for other members of staff. It's helped him clarify some of his ideas and somewhat more focusing on his goals while "everything is so weird" as he likes to put it.

That said, wanting better for our children doesn't automatically mean better versions of what we did - there are so many other options and opportunities other than university right away that can open doors and be great first steps into adulthood. Really, If one year out is enough to lose too much momentum to do university well, then it may not be the place for him right now. I'm with QueenoftheAir on the frustration that is caused to staff and students who are serious by those who want to coast and plenty go through and end up with no more doors open for them on the other side even when they do put in the work. I tell my children that there are plenty of options -- unless they absolutely are 100% yes about university, they should look more into the others.

Hi

Before making any firm decisions either way (Degree/Degree Apprenticeship/Gap year) your son might benefit from reflecting gently on who he is, what he cares about in life, what drives him? ...climate change? innovation? just being a decent person? helping others? solving problems? writing about issues? working globally? analyzing human behaviour? achieving a certain lifestyle?

A qualified and experienced Careers Counsellor will gently ask him the right questions to help him reflect on all this - and will coach him in effective careers research and labour market intelligence to help him understand work, careers and how to make sanity checked next steps for himself. Most importantly the Careers Advisor/Counsellor will help him consider how he likes to learn and be measured; academically, vocationally.

Psychometric tools can also be a useful catalyst for kick-starting self reflection: here's one that could get him thinking a little..perhaps take it yourself too, if you wish to understand more about why you have the strengths you do, why you might have made the decisions you have over the years. This one is broad and encompasses many areas of life including work/careers.

www.16personalities.com/

So perhaps consider encouraging him to book an appointment with a qualified, experienced Careers Counsellor (hopefully at his college!) who will help him to understand how to go about finding answers for himself.

You or he could also review Linked In to see how graduates progress after degrees, the internships they take, the pathway changes they make- it can be revelatory and reassuring in equal measure.

@Bluntness100

Op have you posted this before? Because there was an exact same thread recently about a lad who didn’t know what he wanted to do, was forecast three bs, but could squeeze an a, the op wanted him to do law ans he was also doing the Welsh baccalaureate.

You were told quite clearly on that thread why law wasn’t a good idea for him. How come you’re asking the sams question again?

That wasn't me @Bluntness100