DD did not enjoy first day of college. Tell me it will get better please.

[stayathomegardener]

DD just got back from her first day at college and hated it.
She chose a BTEC in a subject she loves on a succesful course but in a college that is generally poor as opposed to A levels she wouldn't enjoy at an amazing sixth form college.
There are only nine on her course and the other girls are a year or two older plus none of the other courses seem to mix. She feels it's going to be two years by herself.

And the actual day was dull.

Does her college offer non course activities? Most do and she could join one of those to meet a few more students.

My sons course took a while to get going although my daughter was straight out of the blocks.

It's a big change she made today, hopefully she will settle when the work starts and a small group for learning purposes is great.

No extra cirricular bar football so no obvious way of meeting people.
Only three days a week so a bit disjointed and DD has post viral thing too which is not helping. Everything seems so much worse when you are tired.

My DD course was three days a week. She studied hard on her work the other days, so once into it and we'll again your DD might start to enjoy it.

Just a warning, if there are only 9 on the course it stands a good chance of being closed down. There just isn't the money in FE to fund small classes. At 12, the income covers the expenditure, so at 9 they are really running short.

I think a small group is hard to start with but will end up being pretty close. What are the boys like?
I'm really shocked at the lack of choice for extra-curricular. Just football? Is it a really small college?

What a shame the 6th form college only offered A levels. Some do BTECs and A levels so she could have stayed on. Hope everything improves. At university my DD prefers the slightly older people on the course who have come with work experience. She has found some of the people the same age as her very immature.

It is quite a large college fastdaytears but deemed as failing in many areas. It is good to know small groups can be harder at first but perhaps more rewarding later. The boys seem nice as do the girls but no one she just gels with, she was initally told there would be 16 so I think 9 was a surprise.

Millymollymama that would be the perfect solution but unfortunatly nowhere locally combines the two. DD is old for her years and to be fair found the older girls very welcoming but I think has a horror of trailing behind them whilst they are too polite to say anything.

Imperial that worrying but I think as the course has been going for 50 years and has a good reputation it should continue...

Kez I think that is it, give it time.

The reason she is so upset is that she knows it is the right course so will have to get on with it. We discussed other options today and she is adament it really is the best one.

Imperial you are a font of knowledge, fashion course of only 8 cancelled today.

Millymolly we have found a college that does offer A levels and BETEC's at least 45 minutes away but may be our best option. Viewing tomorrow at 1pm.

Is that your DD's course or another one? Either way it's a worry.
I wouldn't have thought 45 minutes was bad if your DD is happier there. When I was that age everyone had to travel at least that but we were very rural. Just meant being slightly more organised about nights out! Good luck with the viewing.

Is it her course that is cancelled? So annoying. Hope visit to other college goes well. Let us know what you are going to do. Can I ask you what your DD wants to do after college/6th form?

My DS travels 90 mins each way plus a 15 minute walk to.the bus. Dd was similar - she just went in a different direction!

All our kids have to leave school as we have no sixth form. We have brilliant options though - 2 colleges that do A levels and BTEC, one art college, at least three sixth forms. All with buses and most long trips.

and [anger] for your DD on her course being cancelled at the very last minute.

Hello Invisable Mumsnet support!
Hides wine and Sainsburys ready made apple pie.

Ok totally outs self but DD is on a photographic BTEC, not cancelled yet, 9 on course. Fashion next door was cancelled yesterday with 8...

DD is already running a small phototography business at home and has amazing equipment mainly gifted to her by her Grandfather who was head of photography at Brighton Poly in the 70's.

Existing College (A) has amazing photographic equipment, facilities and tutors but is totally failing in all other respects.
Todays College(B) has only average photographic equipment and facilities but great campus and good broad mix of A levels and BTECS .
22 on the course and mixing with an Arts department of about 300.

How did the rest of the week go?

What did your DD feel about B? It sounds like a good option.

B sounds like a really good option and I'm sure that during these first weeks loads of students move around so she wouldn't be the only one. But I know nothing about photography!

How about looking at each colleges exam result for their photography courses. If one does a lot better than the other then there is you answer. Possibly .
6th form is just a stepping stone so I would be suggesting the best course over the whole college experience (within reason)