Deferring Uni

[Happyface246]

Hi all my dd has siezures due to anxiety. She is currently going into Yr 13 and wants to go to uni. We think she should take a year out. Would it be better to apply for sept 2024 and then ask to defer or apply 2025 with grades. What if she doesn’t make the grade boundaries would she be able to go through clearing in 2025 if we deferred the place on 2024? Advice needed please. Thank you!! X

What would be the benefits of deferring? What would she do for a year?

Personally, I wouldn’t encourage her to defer. I did, started working, met a man….long story short, I finally made it to Uni at the age of 34.

She should go through the process in Y13, she can either apply for entry September 24 and then asking to defer or directly applying for deferred entry. That way she’ll get support with the application through school.

If she doesn’t make the grades she can reapply in the next UCAS cycle.

Totally this

If she has a good idea of what she eats to do, why distract her from it. Uni's best done while young with your peer group I think

If she didn’t have seizures then I would also say don’t defer. However the reality is at the moment if she is tired or stressed she will drop to the floor and fit - they are called non epileptic siezures. We have been told they can go so putting in support in place - counsellor and extra tuition in the subject she finds hard.

I would advise not to apply for university this year. Apply next year with grades in hand. My DD applied in Year 13 based on what subject she had enjoyed in Y12. By the time she had finished her A levels this subject had completely changed and her choice of university also had.

DD deferred the university place a week before results, decided to have a gap year, then withdrew from her deferred place in October and reapplied for a new subject at 5 new universities. She received unconditional offers from all of them.

Why have the added stress in Y13 of UCAS applications? Concentrate on her health and A level grades. Young people change a lot over a year or two, don't rush into university if it does not feel right.

Just be aware that deferring May actually cause her to feel even more anxious returning after education after a year out. She's had years and years of transitioning smoothly between years 3,4..7,8,9 etc.. to suddenly have a gap then contemplate the world of uni is quite risky. And she may not even want to go.

I don't know if she's had any therapy before but I'm a Psychotherapist and CBT can help her manage her anxiety around her health condition. It's a very common issue. Speak to the GP if interested.

She needs to coping strategies for anxiety and stress and have these in place.

I see a lot of uni students at work who struggle and CBT really helps them manage their schedules, workload, stress and anxiety.

I’d suggest a gap year (with a proper plan of things to do during that time) and applying with grades in hand. Talk to school as they should still be able to help with the UCAS application even though she will have left.

I wouldn't apply for 2024 then try to defer. There is a risk uni won't agree which is stressful if they only decide late on. Better to either apply for 2025 place in the first place or in autumn 2024 with results in hand. What course is it for as maths based subjects can be less accepting of a break in study.

There is a debate on whether it's better to apply deferred or apply and then ask for deferral (if you are not going 2024)

I personally would apply this year, so that if she doesn't get a good place, she has a chance on the next cycle. Bear in mind applying is a draining process if there are entrance exams.