Ucas 72 Points-Parent needs help

Good Morning, I am trying to help my Son. He has had a difficult time at college and scored 72 ucas points. He started a degree course in Sept 24 but after 6 weeks quit as It wasn't for him. I think if he could find the right course he could have another crack at it (Sept 25). But with only 72 points what options does he have, should he go through clearing or try another strategy? He is good at English Language and interested in Film and Television they are possibilities, But I don't want him to waste his time. To add into the mix he is not sure what career he would like.

Imo if he doesn't know what he wants to do university is a waste of time. Unless he's really passionate about film and television, in which case he should pursue what he enjoys at uni. But if he doesn't know what he likes, what he wants to do at all, he'd be better off taking a break from college and education and going into work to learn from 'the school of life' at least for a year, then he can reapply next application cycle if he knows what he wants to do at uni at that time.

Thanks for reply. It is a difficult situation as I feel if he can get on the right course and live away from home, it would help immensely.

So your son is, or will be, 19 during this academic year?
What is he doing with himself now?
'Difficult time at college' covers a multitude of sins... as does the process by which he made his application and took up a degree place. Sometimes it is about needing to mature a bit, or having made bad decisions/mistakes that take time to recover from, sometimes it is about having disabilities identified and appropriately supported, sometimes it is about the institution and the particular staff. So understanding a bit more about that would be important.
It is not necessary to know what career you want. But it is necessary to understand what is involved in the courses being applied for and to be interested... excited... by them. He's already given up once at 6 weeks in. Again, understanding more about why is important - and there are of course big financial implications to consider because of that.
All of which, plus the added uncertainties and pressures associated with late or clearing applications, suggests that setting out from this point with the aim of returning to Higher Education in September 2025 may not be the most appropriate plan.
I would suggest
1) work and/or volunteering experience (paid work may be the priority because of giving up this academic year)
2) going to lots of open days and sitting in on as many subject talks as possible. Yes, there needs to be management of expectations but it shouldn't be all about 'what can he get into with the qualifications he has now'.
3) Looking at degrees with foundation years, depending on what his academic issues have been and why he gave up (rather than looking to transfer to a different course) [Possibly he was already on one of these but not well informed about what it involved?]
4) bear in mind that once he reaches 21 he will be classed as a mature student and admissions requirements can be more flexible. There's also less likely to be the baggage of what his peers did/are doing and where.
5) If there is any sense that his academic life has been affected by mental health issues and/or disabilities, getting diagnoses/treatment
6) Looking at ways to pursue his interests and study - short courses, making his own videos etc

So your son is, or will be, 19 during this academic year?
What is he doing with himself now?
'Difficult time at college' covers a multitude of sins... as does the process by which he made his application and took up a degree place. Sometimes it is about needing to mature a bit, or having made bad decisions/mistakes that take time to recover from, sometimes it is about having disabilities identified and appropriately supported, sometimes it is about the institution and the particular staff. So understanding a bit more about that would be important.
It is not necessary to know what career you want. But it is necessary to understand what is involved in the courses being applied for and to be interested... excited... by them. He's already given up once at 6 weeks in. Again, understanding more about why is important - and there are of course big financial implications to consider because of that.
All of which, plus the added uncertainties and pressures associated with late or clearing applications, suggests that setting out from this point with the aim of returning to Higher Education in September 2025 may not be the most appropriate plan.
I would suggest
1) work and/or volunteering experience (paid work may be the priority because of giving up this academic year)
2) going to lots of open days and sitting in on as many subject talks as possible. Yes, there needs to be management of expectations but it shouldn't be all about 'what can he get into with the qualifications he has now'.
3) Looking at degrees with foundation years, depending on what his academic issues have been and why he gave up (rather than looking to transfer to a different course) [Possibly he was already on one of these but not well informed about what it involved?]
4) bear in mind that once he reaches 21 he will be classed as a mature student and admissions requirements can be more flexible. There's also less likely to be the baggage of what his peers did/are doing and where.
5) If there is any sense that his academic life has been affected by mental health issues and/or disabilities, getting diagnoses/treatment
6) Looking at ways to pursue his interests and study - short courses, making his own videos etc

What are his UCAS points actually made up of? What was he doing at uni the first time around?
Give him time to work out what he wants to do himself before he ends up doing another degree he isn't interested in - explore other options a job, apprenticeship, graduate apprenticeship, a college course relating to film/television e.g. btec media production.
As he's interested in film/tv - what areas within this is he interested in? Is there anything within these areas he could pursue independently e.g. if its scriptwriting there's freelance websites where you can sell scripts to youtubers, video editing/sfx can all be self taught and a portfolio can be built around it.

So your son is, or will be, 19 during this academic year?
What is he doing with himself now?

'Difficult time at college' covers a multitude of sins... as does the process by which he made his application and took up a degree place. Sometimes it is about needing to mature a bit, or having made bad decisions/mistakes that take time to recover from, sometimes it is about having disabilities identified and appropriately supported, sometimes it is about the institution and the particular staff. So understanding a bit more about that would be important.

It is not necessary to know what career you want. But it is necessary to understand what is involved in the courses being applied for and to be interested... excited... by them. He's already given up once at 6 weeks in. Again, understanding more about why is important - and there are of course big financial implications to consider because of that.

All of which, plus the added uncertainties and pressures associated with late or clearing applications, suggests that setting out from this point with the aim of returning to Higher Education in September 2025 may not be the most appropriate plan.

I would suggest
1) work and/or volunteering experience (paid work may be the priority because of giving up this academic year)
2) going to lots of open days and sitting in on as many subject talks as possible. Yes, there needs to be management of expectations but it shouldn't be all about 'what can he get into with the qualifications he has now'.
3) Looking at degrees with foundation years, depending on what his academic issues have been and why he gave up (rather than looking to transfer to a different course) [Possibly he was already on one of these but not well informed about what it involved?]
4) bear in mind that once he reaches 21 he will be classed as a mature student and admissions requirements can be more flexible. There's also less likely to be the baggage of what his peers did/are doing and where.
5) If there is any sense that his academic life has been affected by mental health issues and/or disabilities, getting diagnoses/treatment
6) Looking at ways to pursue his interests and study - short courses, making his own videos etc