Q My daughter started architecture at university in September but is most unhappy with her course and is about to give it up completely. While not wishing to put her through torture by making her stay, what can we do as parents if she leaves now? What are her options? At this stage we are desperate and do not know what to do.
A Don't be distressed by your daughter's loss of interest in her current course: this faces thousands of parents every year. No matter how much guidance counselling your daughter got at school (which has reduced since 2012), she obviously didn't fully understand the subject content and professional practice of an architecture degree.
In deciding on her course choice she might have accessed careersportal.ie, which has video interviews with architects who explain the career interests, personal qualities and skills relevant to architecture. She might have studied the course content on qualifax.ie (a service provided to all levels of learners by Quality & Qualifications Ireland, the state agency that monitors qualifications). She may have done all of the appropriate research and discussed her decision with her guidance counsellor but has now decided architecture is not for her. What can she do now?
She should go to the faculty office and make an appointment with a student adviser to see if her difficulties can be resolved while remaining as a student on the course. If this does not resolve things, I suggest she formally withdraws at the end of this semester, in writing to the registrar or admissions office. This will ensure the additional costs on top of the €3,000 annual registration charge, when she chooses a new course, will be limited to a half year. This amount varies among faculties, but will be at least €2,500. It could be good for her CV if she takes her first semester exams in January and gets the credits before leaving.
Having withdrawn, she can apply again to the CAO (cao.ie) immediately (€25) to register for the 2016 admissions process. Then she should research online, consult a professional guidance counsellor, visit college open days and discuss options with potential alternative faculty representatives to get to the position on July 1st, 2016, where she can list her final choices for a number of new courses. If by then she is still unsure of what to study, I suggest she considers working for a time until she discovers what truly matches her interests, aptitudes and long-term career goals.
- Your questions answered by education analyst Brian Mooney. Email queries to askbrian@irishtimes.com
