How did your teen decide what to do after A levels?

[CoolShoeshine]

My dd is stressing out a bit about uni/work and I’ve no idea how to help her decide. Her 6th form are pushing uni onto the pupils and she is keen in terms of the social aspect and living independently but has no idea what she wants to do or get out of it. I’m a bit loathe for her to spend all the money associated with university unless it is to study something that will be helpful to her future job prospects. She has said she is also quite bored of studying! She is currently studying humanities subjects and should get good but not outstanding grades. She has been on various apps to help her pick degree subjects but they haven’t particularly helped. I’m happy to take her to some open days but not sure also when you should be doing this.
There is also apprenticeships which sound good but are they difficult to get a place on? At what point do you have to start applying for them?

I took a 4 year break between a levels and uni and just moved to London and got a job. Best decision I ever made.
Had I gone to uni straight out of school I definitely wouldn’t have been mature enough and would’ve ended up doing a course I wasn’t set on.

Thank you @Pentium85 tbh I think that a year or two working might give her a better idea of what she wants to do in the long run! She’s a bit clueless about jobs though too! How did you decide what work you wanted to do?

I just did a rather boring but very well paid admin job! Meant I worked good hours/had my weekends free for a decent wage just whilst I figured out what I wanted to do

DD took a gap year. She had a retail job until Christmas, then couldn't get another one, so she volunteered in a charity shop and did a 10 week volunteering stint in the local hospital.

By the time she went to university she was more than ready to go

My teen has always had one of two careers in mind, but to get to that point, she tried a load of different things ie she's begged a day or a week's work experience at the offices of various parents of her friends here and there. And she has been visiting loads of uni fairs to get different ideas. We are not in UK, but here the unis have open days where you can pretend to be a student for a day, attend lectures, receive a sample timetable, receive a plastic token for lunch in the canteen, visit the library etc. I think lots of them do this? It allows a potential student to realky get a feel for the place!

But agree with others that time out working or volunteering could be very good too, as long as she puts effort in to trying a variety of different things and doesn't just settle on something because it's 10 mins down the road ifyswim! Good luck to her! This phase of life is not easy for youngsters nowadays!

The new degree apprenticeships are a great combination. No fees and a wage whilst studying. You also come out with 3-4 years of work experience which should put you significantly ahead if peers that just do university.

My ds is on one and my younger ds is looking to do something similar.

They do miss out a bit on the fun aspects of uni but I think the benefits out way that. They may need to put a bit more effort into social side of things

Thank you everyone, some great options to think over. We’ve had lots of discussions about getting more work experience and putting off uni for a year or two. She’s finding A level studies so intense she can barely think about the next step at the moment so postponing might be a good option

I started going to university to study science, realised it wasn't for me so quit after a year and worked and travelled for a year. Then I did an art foundation course and ended up getting a degree in graphic design.
A gap year (or two) seems like a really good idea. Getting some life as well as work experience, plus some maturity may help her decide on a direction.

Agree with others, a break sounds like a good option. I rushed into a degree and hated each and every day, being young I felt too scared to leave so ploughed on. Did well out of it but it wasn't the experience I had wanted or expected.

Having some time off will give her breathing space to decide what she wants to do not her college. A job or travelling, whatever gives her perspective.

DD is doing a degree apprenticeship in engineering and is having a brilliant time. It's not easy, and I worry she's missing out on the fun aspect of uni but she is earning a good wage and getting practical experience. She wasn't keen on going to university despite going to about 8 open days! Her 6th Form were obsessed with students going on to university and seemed to think this was the only measure of success post A level. She got almost no support with applying or preparing for interviews but managed brilliantly on her own.

My DD currently on a Gap year teaching abroad. But had and still has a clear degree she wants to do. Tried to push apprenticeships but she wants to do full uni. Will be much better prepared

More worried about DD2 as been pushed by school to apply and I think chosen the course on location and possible grades rather then properly thought about it. Off to an offer holders day tomorrow.

Not loving the fact of two of them starting uni at the same time. God knows how we’re going to afford to support them.

Ours knew from a younger age through good work experience.
The medic knew from a very young age. Our son decided not to go to university but to get a commission in the armed forces after school.

See if there are any career open days locally - DS went to one at the Excel in London in year 11 - spoke to the Royal Navy, a submariner, and was totally inspired. He's now year 13 and been accepted to join and subject to his fitness and grades he will be doing an Engineering Degree within the Submarine Service.

There are loads more options than uni these days

I think if you haven't got a passion and focus that takes you to university because that is what you want to do with your life, taking time out and working for a while is a really good idea.

My DD1 is at uni because she found her passion at 14. DD2 has found hers too - she's in Yr12, working to get the A levels she needs and knows where she's going. A lot of their peers are doing other things and finding their way. It's whatever works for them.