Forget air fryers or matching saucepans. If there’s one thing I’d like every parent to acquire before they drop their child at university over the next few weeks, it’s realistic expectations. As a teacher, I’ve watched hundreds of students make that leap to higher education. Parents understandably worry about whether they’ll settle in, make friends and survive without someone reminding them to put a wash on. Those things usually sort themselves out. But, there are some fundamental conversations families need to have, beyond “don’t drink too much”.
The first is about the course itself. It’s tempting to look at university as a financial investment. Fees are high, maintenance loans don’t stretch far enough and everyone seems obsessed with graduate salaries. So, we steer our 18-year-olds towards “safe” subjects. The problem is that university is very different from school. Nobody is checking homework or chasing coursework. If students don’t enjoy what they’re studying, three years is a painfully long time. Those that thrive aren’t always the most academically gifted; they’re the ones who remained interested when the work became difficult. Curiosity is a better motivator than parental pressure. As an English teacher, I may be biased, but the dismissive “what can you do with an English degree?” now has a great answer: be Prime Minister. Andy Burnham studied English at Cambridge. Parents, make sure you don’t force your preferences upon the student who has to actually take that course.
