Occupying the holidays

Fire_Fox

I actually think he'd be better off continuing to have some sort of routine - not necessarily a full time job but to keep in the habit of being industrious, be that through paid employment or self-directed learning. I think getting hold of a reading list is a great idea (I can't believe you can learn computer science without some home study).

Edited to add: What about matched betting? Could use his numeracy/ computer skills to work out the odds, and make a profit in the process.

GrammarGirl

Could he look into working/volunteering from home, so he wouldn't have to shell out for the bus ride? I cannot remember the name of the company, but the work involves answering customer questions via text message? Sure someone will know something more, but something along those lines will keep him occupied without costing anything.

Also, you mention he's an au pair at the moment... could he maybe become a sponsor/pen pal for a child abroad? There would probably be a small amount to pay from the offset but something like that wouldn't cost him much and he could do it from home without the need for travel.

Also, although this would cost him (or you, more likely!) money, it would be something to occupy him and it's a really useful skill. You mention he'd need to take the bus, which makes me presume he can't drive (or maybe he just doesn't have access to a car? If so ignore this!) - maybe he could learn?

conradmum

Fire_Fox wrote: »

I actually think he'd be better off continuing to have some sort of routine - not necessarily a full time job but to keep in the habit of being industrious, be that through paid employment or self-directed learning. I think getting hold of a reading list is a great idea (I can't believe you can learn computer science without some home study).

Edited to add: What about matched betting? Could use his numeracy/ computer skills to work out the odds, and make a profit in the process.

Both he and I agree on this: if he doesn't have something to do, he'll probably end up staying up all night on the computer, sleeping all day, never seeing the sunshine and becoming unfit and unhealthy. We both of us have a tendency to just stagnate if we don't have a little external motivation to be active, hence my concern about an unoccupied two months' leisure.

I'm a bit wary of introducing him to matched betting. We have gambling addicts in the family. :eek:

Some kind of self-directed learning would definitely appeal, though. I'll suggest he looks into that too.

Oldernotwiser

What about having a look at the Open Learn units with the OU? They're free and unassessed but he could either look at IT subjects or broaden things out a bit.

www.openlearn.open.ac.uk/

omelette451

He could learn a (foreign) language? If it goes well he could even carry on with it when at university...

Idiophreak

conradmum wrote: »

I don't think so. It's a Computer Science degree.

I've taken heart from some of the posts saying that it shouldn't be too hard to find something even for that short period of time. I think I'll advise him to look into getting some temp work.

You'll find there's plenty of reading can be done to help him with a CS degree - normally each module will have a supporting text. (typically there will be one book on databases, one on networks, one on object oriented design and so on) Reading these cover-to-cover isn't normally necessary, but if he's got time to do so, it will give him a huge boost ahead of the start of the degree.

If you speak to the department, they will probably be able to provide you with the list of core modules and their supporting texts, as well as letting you know the languages you'll be learning for basic programming (often java these days) - again, getting a book on that and working through it will make his first year a breeze.

omelette451

Idiophreak wrote: »

If you speak to the department, they will probably be able to provide you with the list of core modules and their supporting texts, as well as letting you know the languages you'll be learning for basic programming (often java these days) - again, getting a book on that and working through it will make his first year a breeze.

Ermmm, not perhaps the best approach. If you speak to the department they'll laugh at you (and perhaps him too) for being a 'helicopter parent' to an adult child. If he contacts them they'll see him as a keen student ready to get on with his work and who wants to land on his feet in October.

Idiophreak

Idiophreak wrote: »

If you speak to the department, they will probably be able to provide you with the list of core modules and their supporting texts, as well as letting you know the languages you'll be learning for basic programming (often java these days) - again, getting a book on that and working through it will make his first year a breeze.

Err, not to be picky, but OP ("you") won't be learning programming at all...

Sorry for not being more precise

welf_man

Does no-one travel from where you live to a town who could give him a lift? Or someone who could lend him a bike? Volunteering really is the way to go as it's great for the CV as well as the soul!

Are there any local elders who'd like their gardens digging / garages tidied? A school where he could go and read with kids? Parents who need a babysitter / nanny?

If he *wants* to work / volunteer he'll find something!

Mel.

elektra-2007

Have u any elderly neighbours where you live..why not talk to them see if theres any jobs he can do to help them like gardening ect...if hes working as an au-pair with children...contact holiday clubs see if they will take him on as a volunteer and they can apply for his crb now.
Or if you have an factorys near you they will prob take him on even short term...if he makes a good impression they may take him on every holiday...i know a few students that do it.