How much does your academic sixth former socialise?

[Malteser71]

My daughter was 16 over the summer. She’s in the lower sixth, very academic, already getting A grades in her work. Works hard.

I worry that she doesn’t socialise much. She has a core group of three female friends, they do occasionally go out (shopping and dinner) or spend the evening together doing something structured like sleepover and a film,, but she doesn’t seem to just casually hang out with friends like I did at that age, you know, for the sake of it.

We are all different, she’s an introvert, I’m not so much. I just worry that she’s all work and not much play. She’s about to start a part time job.

What are yours like?

Mine is similar and does a similar amount of socialising.

When we were that age we could get into pubs, they are much stricter on ID now so ppl tend to wait till they're 18.

Mine was like that. I wouldn't worry. Even with covid restrictions, by the end of year 13 their friendship group expanded at times to enjoy a trip away or a festival. She's at uni now and really enjoying living in a flat with loads of people. She still prefers going out for food or coffee, hanging out in pubs/bar where she can chat, cooking meals communally. But also enjoys the odd party or club. They're are many the same and my less studious younger Dd is similar.

I also think it is social media that makes the difference. They don't need to 'hang out' as they can hang out online. They get together for more purposeful pursuits.

Both my DCs are academic.
DD’s social life in 6th form was much better than it was lower down the school because she met new people both in and out of school. Still didn’t mean she went out every Sat night, and sometimes it was having a couple of friends round etc. It got more exciting in year 13, until Covid hit!
DS is clever, but lazy. He also has p/t job. Goes out most Sat nights either hangs at friends or goes to a party. I think it’s pretty normal, but he’s not in the most popular crowd that parties all the time.
He enjoys seeing his friends f2f much more than online & has a good core group and some smaller groups/others who occasionally join the group.

Thanks again for your replies.

I haven’t raised it with her, I’d be too concerned that I’d make her feel bad, worried, whatever.

Some very good points here, I do feel a lot better about it reading what you’ve all said.

I think DH is possibly worried because he’s comparing her to what we were like at that age, but so many reasons why it’s different now, as you’ve pointed out.