STEM degrees (without A level chemistry)

[BlackBrowedAlbatross]

DS is in Y12 and doing maths, physics, biology A levels. He was planning on doing physics at university, but really only loves the bits about space, so is not particularly enjoying the A level (and not doing that well at it either).

When I suggested that he could look at other degree options if he wasn't sure about physics he just sighed and said, but what else could I do?

Slightly dramatic I know, but I think he's a bit sad that things aren't turning out how he thought they would. So any suggestions that might perk him up would be gratefully received. And despite the thread title, doesn't really have to be STEM. I'd just like to show him that there are loads of options for him to explore, things he's never thought of or maybe even never heard of. 🤞

@ladyvimes

I wouldn’t be thinking about university yet as it sounds like it’s just extra pressure that he can’t deal with at the moment. You’ve plenty of time, especially if he takes a gap year. You need to focus on right now, getting him caught back up and back on track. Is it the work he’s struggling with or more his mental health? I would leave worrying about it for now and focus on it this time next year when you’ll have a better idea of what his grades will be.

Thanks @ladyvimes yes I think you're right. It was in response to his sad "but what else could I do" that I posted for ideas, but there's plenty of time and no need to worry about it yet. I will only talk to him about it if he's worried about it now iyswim, but there are so many great suggestions here, I'm sure he will be enthused.

I think part of the problem is simply the step up to A level. He has never found anything this difficult and has a tendency to just give up rather than try to puzzle things out. But he's also missing having his friends around and other people who are going through the same thing I think. I spoke to his year tutor (also his maths teacher) and she said quite a few of them are struggling and the teachers can't offer a lot of the usual support that they usually would, like mentoring and extra sessions. That will all pick up again when they go back to school but for now we will try to get him back on track. 😬🤞

Thanks @Iwant2move - engineering does sound like a great degree and career, with so much variety in the field and opportunities elsewhere. He's not anti chemistry, he started Y12 doing 4 subjects with chemistry as well because he couldn't decide between that and biology. He thought he'd try both and see which he liked best, but it was a close call. So I'm sure he'd be happy with some chemistry content.

Ladyvimes is probably right (how could I possibly disagree with her?!) - I think the main use of this thread to the OP and her DS is to know that there are a load of different options with his subjects other than physics in general or space physics in particular. The summer vacation can be a good time to dive into the details - usually of course there are uni open days, this year they may be virtual but that probably makes it easier to sample more (both different unis and courses).

Nuclear engineering is going to be an interesting field to get into for work over the next 20 years, with Hinkley & Sizewell.

Sadly the Brits are not world leaders in nuclear engineering. I think the French are! So opportunities might be limited not to mention courses.

I did have further thoughts though. A very great friend of ours owned a landscape achitecture company. Sheffield is a great university for that. There is also surveying. Often a fist degree in something relevant is needed but there are lots of branches of surveying. Also quantity surveying. Planning might be of interest too. That makes a big difference to the environment.

The British were actually the pioneers in the nuclear civil industry, so there is a hell of a lot of knowledge still remaining, and with the new EDF/CGN input, there are a significant number of training courses, degree apprenticeships etc.

There will be guaranteed, high paying work for the next 15-20 years minimum in the UK, opportunities to travel & work abroad.

Could be one to consider as an MSc after another engineering bachelors.

I wondered about nuclear engineering - I'd imagine that sector can only grow in the next few years. Surveying and planning are good ideas too, thank you. I think the summer is definitely the time for some proper thinking and research, but if he gets despondent about a future without physics, I can show him such a huge range of possibilities now.

He has attended all his lessons today and managed one catch up piece of work so that's a great start. It was maths, I sat with him and cheered him on while he was doing it but he just didn't believe he could do it. His confidence is shot basically, the whole idea of sitting down and working through something difficult just made him so uncomfortable, it was painful to watch. But by the end he was integrating away happily and racing me to find the answer. A long road ahead but hopefully we'll get there. Thank goodness it's these subjects and not humanities, where DH and I would be no use at all

Any of the biology/environmental science degrees don't need chemistry you do a chemistry module first semester which used to be the equivalent of a C/D A level chemistry
Other suggestions would be renewable energy degree there are a few places which offer this. Very much about the industry but also trying to improve designs or new designs.

One very much not considered by teenagers but almost a sure job after is environmental health there is a serious lack of EHO in the country!

But by the end he was integrating away happily and racing me to find the answer.

Hurray! Well done him - and you!

Can your DS talk to a friend about the exercises? DS sometimes does maths homework with a friend on speakerphone. They talk through the question and are both working on it. I was a bit dubious but it's no different to sitting next to someone in a 6th form common room and they are both contributing thoughts (DS studies downstairs so I have overhead bits).

@EwwSprouts

Can your DS talk to a friend about the exercises? DS sometimes does maths homework with a friend on speakerphone. They talk through the question and are both working on it. I was a bit dubious but it's no different to sitting next to someone in a 6th form common room and they are both contributing thoughts (DS studies downstairs so I have overhead bits).

Yes I think I will sound him out about this. It would definitely work for biology as his bestie is in the same class and they did the last piece of homework together chatting on the Xbox and did well in it. I'm not sure who is in his maths and physics classes but will see if there's anyone he could ask. He has said it was better working in his frees at school because there was always someone else there and he didn't want to give up or not bother in front of them.

I am laughing now, remembering that this same bestie was his maths partner at primary school and they had a deal worked out for fractions questions - the friend would decide what they needed to do and DS would do the actual sums. Consequently he managed to get to Y7 without knowing how to add fractions by himself 🤦‍♀️
(Can recommend Carol Vorderman's books if anyone finds themselves in the same position )

Love the fractions tale. You can see how that would happen.

Does he like coding?
as there is A LOT of coding in degrees like physics and engineering
(a lot a lot a lot)