I wonder if they really are very different to him? He clearly has that perception, but is it about stereotypes and just some insecurities?
Does he have hobbies and interests? Play sport? Like socialising? Enjoy his subject area? There are so many different clubs and places to meet people.
He’s opted for a catered college which is more expensive - so does that mean he won’t be really hard up?
When you say less wealthy background, do you simply mean a pretty average background from a standard comp, or do you mean from a background with lots of disadvantage? I actually suspect you mean the former, but I might be wrong.
There are students from public schools - boarding schools. They won’t be a massive number. There will be lots more from private day schools. Many of those families will be pretty similar to many middle class families who send their kids to comps. They all value education, support their kids and most have had access to to some extra curricular over the years. Yes, those in private schools might have had smaller classes and more support at school, but especially in 6th form, the differences might be less than you think. Lots of those privately educating families make a lot of sacrifices to afford fees and aren’t living lavish lifestyles. Most students don’t do paid work in term time but quite a lot do and most will be working in holidays and doing work experience too.
The thing about uni is that it’s this great moment for teens to branch out. Most have had pretty narrow life experiences and lots haven’t known lots of people from outside their school and imagine all kinds of things about people who they think might be different. To be honest, teens can stereotype and be prejudiced more than many other ages.
But they all arrive and want to make friends and of course most people are easy to get on with. You always click more with some than others and people veer towards certain personality types or interests, but one of the joys is having friends who have different regional accents and the type of school people went to is rarely a discussion point.
Students from significantly disadvantaged backgrounds from areas with low uni uptake, or communities with all kinds of other disadvantage might well feel that most have no idea about their lives. They might have access to the Durham Access schemes, financial support, mentoring etc and of course all the students who get in are able and capable. But I think most top unis for those from really disadvantaged backgrounds (of whom there are still far too few) often do find it culturally tricky - but that doesn’t mean they don’t make friends, achieve huge things or have the time of their lives.
Op, is it you more than your DS who is worried about this? Often u think it’s actually parents who have the worry more than the kids. If he has an offer he is capable of being there. Financial background or type of school really isn’t the biggest issue. If you’re friendly and up for joining stuff, it generally works well. These days many teens have anxiety, are diagnosed with neurodiversity and have various challenges or struggles, but Durham works out well for most of them too and they role find their groups and branch into young adulthood.
Enciurage him about his capability academically and his many great qualities and that people will like meeting him and he will make friends. He liked Durham and applied. He liked Collingwood,?put it first and has been lucky enough to get his top choice. Nerves during A Levrls are normal. Fears about going away are normal. Button the end the teens going there in late September are all just clever young adults stepping into independence. There is far more to unite them. If they go with an eye to oook out for people being different or with prejudice about those who are well off or from certain types of school - they can probably find things to confirm their prejudices and feed them. But if they go open minded to take people as they are as individuals, things usually work out well.