Giving up after one year - too soon?

The_One_Who

liney wrote: »

I would also remind him that if he drops out, then going back later will be far more expensive because he will go onto the new fee structure.

Due to the OP's location, I am presuming they are both in Scotland, therefore he won't be paying any university fees. Either way though, I wouldn't recommend someone staying at university (and making a rather snap decision about a new course) for the sake of saving a few quid on fees.

He needs to decide what he wants to do, and do it for himself. As already said, if he does decide to withdraw try to ensure he has something lined up (easier said than done, I know), whether that be a job, or travelling, or something else entirely.

liney

The_One_Who wrote: »

Due to the OP's location, I am presuming they are both in Scotland, therefore he won't be paying any university fees. Either way though, I wouldn't recommend someone staying at university (and making a rather snap decision about a new course) for the sake of saving a few quid on fees.

He needs to decide what he wants to do, and do it for himself. As already said, if he does decide to withdraw try to ensure he has something lined up (easier said than done, I know), whether that be a job, or travelling, or something else entirely.

Hence needing to decide whether he wants to leave because he doesnt want to teach, or leave because he doesn't want to study. It's only April, there is no need to make snap decisions.

Speaking as a mature student, it's alot harder when you have other people to think about then when you are 18 and carefree.

maggiesoop

Thanks a million to everyone who contributed. Its given me lots of different angles on his predicament. We spoke tonight and whilst he's happy to stay on at Uni (Aberdeen, so yes we are Scottish and fees are free - for the moment!) he's been on placement and it's not "rocking his boat" I never did think he was that passionate about teaching, it was just something he thought I would be happy to see him do. However, he has a flatmate who's in her 2nd year so I've told him to speak to her in case it's simply first year settling-in boredom. I've also spoken direct with the Uni and they have recommended he make an appt to speak to their Student Support Service who sound really caring and will try to get to the route of it. Like a few who responded, my fear was him coming home and sitting around watching TV (which he does with alarming frequency when on hols) so I'm pleased he's happy to stay with a degree course.... but at 18 does anyone know what they want to do for life?

Dunroamin

The_One_Who wrote: »

Due to the OP's location, I am presuming they are both in Scotland, therefore he won't be paying any university fees. Either way though, I wouldn't recommend someone staying at university (and making a rather snap decision about a new course) for the sake of saving a few quid on fees.

He needs to decide what he wants to do, and do it for himself. As already said, if he does decide to withdraw try to ensure he has something lined up (easier said than done, I know), whether that be a job, or travelling, or something else entirely.

It may not be relevant in Scotland (at the moment) but an extra £15-£27K is hardly " a few quid"!

The_One_Who

Dunroamin wrote: »

It may not be relevant in Scotland (at the moment) but an extra £15-£27K is hardly " a few quid"!

I know that, but if he carries on with a course he doesn't want to do or even jumps to a course he's not totally thought through (I don't think a month or so is really long enough), he'll be paying a lot more of his own money if/when he does know what he wants to do and may need to re-train.

I think the best thing would be to finish the year and then take at least one full year out of education. He should get a job or go travelling (or both!) and think about what it is he really wants to do. If it involves university then he can go about that with a clear head, if not, then he can do whatever else he wants to do. It's not like if he doesn't go to university before the age of twenty then the door closes for good.

devildog

The_One_Who wrote: »

I know that, but if he carries on with a course he doesn't want to do or even jumps to a course he's not totally thought through (I don't think a month or so is really long enough)

Lol-I actually agree with you that generally a month or so isn't really long enough but in their defence (and without going into details) there were a few mitigating reasons why this all came about. I fully accept the actions taken and why, which was why I was so supportive.

gunsandbanjos

I would leave now if I was him, SAAS fund you for the length of your course + 1, so he could drop out now and wait til he grows up a bit and then go back and he'll get his full new course funded. If he drops out in 2nd year and then decides he wants to do a degree in the future he will have to fund one of the years himself.

There is no point doing a degree you hate, it's a waste of time, energy and money for all involved.

rubyrobot

I 'dropped out' after one year of a psychology degree, because I absolutely HATED it. However, before I did this, I found another course I wanted to do within the university and completed an internal transfer (no UCAs, much easier!)

Love my new course, and it was the best thing I ever did. I only have a month to go before I qualify now. Is there anything else your son is interested in within the university that he could perhaps apply to transfer to?

If his heart isn't in it, as sad as it is, there would be no point in carrying on. I know that if I would have carried on with my psychology degree, i'd be a blubbering wreck by now!

haycorns

Suggest he switches to a related course which doesn't give Qualified Teacher Status, then he won't have the placements. He can spend some time in schools voluntarily in the holidays to deicde about the teaching. One duff placement might have put him off but another school could be the bees knees. If after 3 years he decides to teach, he could doa PGCE , if not , he's got a degreee to do what he wants with.

Make it a useful degree course though that keeps his options open.

duchy

Does he have end of year exams coming up too ? It always adds to the pressure.

I'd take the line....OK fine -but you need to finish this year-simply because even if teaching isn't for him he can transfer the credit to another degree rather than start all over again. Has he any thoughts about what he DOES want to study or is he just certain teaching isn't it -at this point ?

Student services hear this a lot and will offer good advice to him -Good luck and let us know what happens