Swap, Don’t Drop: Helping Your Young Person Find the Right Course
As a parent or carer, you want the best for your young person. When they choose a college course, it’s natural to hope they’ll begin their College journey enjoying their studies, feeling confident in their choice and stay on track towards their future goals.
But what happens if they start their course and realise it isn’t quite right for them?
At RNN Group, we understand that choosing what to study can be a big decision – and sometimes, the right choice only becomes clear once a learner has had the opportunity to experience a course for themselves. We even have learners who have come on a taster day and realise that a course that felt right at taster, is not the same when learning about it more intensively.
That’s why our message to learners and their families is simple:
Swap Don’t Drop
Changing course doesn’t mean giving up
If your young person tells you they’re unhappy with their course, it can be worrying. You may be concerned about them falling behind, losing motivation or giving up on education altogether.
But changing course doesn’t have to mean giving up. Sometimes, it can be the first step towards finding a pathway that is better suited to their interests, strengths and ambitions.
Perhaps they’ve discovered that the subject isn’t what they expected. Maybe they’ve developed an interest in a completely different career, or they’ve realised that another course better matches the way they enjoy learning.
Whatever the reason, we encourage learners to speak to us before making the decision to leave their course. Their first choice doesn’t have to be their final choice
Young people are making important decisions about their futures at a time when they are still discovering who they are and what they enjoy so it’s perfectly normal for interests and ambitions to change.
A learner might begin a course with one career in mind and, after gaining new experiences, discover something they hadn’t previously considered. That change in direction can be a positive thing.
At RNN Group, we want our learners to feel that they have options.
Rather than thinking, “This course isn’t for me, so I need to leave,” we want learners and their families to consider:
“Could there be another course that’s a better fit?”
How can you support your young person?
If your young person is thinking about dropping out, one of the most helpful things you can do is encourage them to talk to someone at college.
RNN Group has a focused week next week called ‘Swap Don’t Drop’ where we encourage learners to talk about their options to tutors, go and try another course for a day and then decide on the next step rather than leave.
So with that in mind, knowing RNN Group is here to help, start by listening. Ask them what they’re finding difficult and, importantly, what they would rather be doing.
They may not have all the answers yet – and that’s okay.
Our staff here at RNN can help them explore their options, understand what other courses are available and consider what might work better for them.
Having an open conversation can sometimes turn a difficult situation into a new opportunity.
Finding the right fit really does matter
When a learner is studying something they enjoy and can see a future in, it can make a real difference to their motivation, confidence and engagement. That’s why finding the right course is so important.
At RNN Group, we offer a wide range of courses and pathways designed to help young people develop the knowledge, practical skills and experience they need for their next step – whether that’s employment, an apprenticeship, further study or university.
If their current course isn’t working for them, there may be another route that does.
We know that changing course can feel like a big decision for both learners and their families. You may have questions about what happens next, whether they can change course and what it could mean for their future.
The important thing is not to make the decision in isolation. Encourage your young person to speak to their tutor or a member of the RNN Group team. Together, we can look at their circumstances and help them understand their options.
Because sometimes, staying on the wrong course can feel like the only choice – when actually, there may be another opportunity waiting for them.
Swap Don’t Drop
Your young person’s education journey doesn’t have to be a straight line.
Plans change, interests develop and careers evolve. Sometimes, finding the right pathway means taking a different route.
If your young person is struggling with their current course or thinking about leaving, encourage them to talk to us before they drop out.
There may be a course that better suits them, a new subject that sparks their interest, or a different pathway that helps them move towards their ambitions.
Swap Don’t Drop.
Because changing direction doesn’t mean losing sight of the future – it could be the step that helps your young person find it.