hey there! I have had similar issues when I was at college and then uni, it was really tough to overcome, however the only source of motivation I had was myself and the development of my personality

Hi there,

I work with Students at SOAS (School of Oriental and African Studies) in their Wellbeing Department.  I am a Solution Focussed Psychotherapist and Hypnotherapist and have much experience of supporting young people of University age.  

Anxiety and stress amongst the University population is at record levels as you can imagine.  

I would be very happy to help.  My website is https://www.hypno.today/ and I can be contacted via the website.  I am working online at the moment obviously. 

Kind regards

Caroline

Just wanted to say a very belated thank you to all who posted in response. You’ve been a great help. Some really good insights and recommendations here which I have passed on.

What a lovely friend you are and it sounds like your friend´s son will need some mentoring support. Please talk to The Parent Practice based in Clapham. One of the co-director enlisted a lot of support from her own son´s university for exactly the symptoms you describe. Elaine Halligan and her colleagues will be very well placed to help you. I have read Elaine´s fascinating book about unlocking her son's potential and can recommend The Parent Practice´s approach to supporting children of all ages. 
[url=https://www.theparentpractice.com/]www.theparentpractice.com[/url]

Finally, I would also check that he has been assessed by an experienced Educational Pyschologist to rule out ADHD. A lot of people are unaware that ADHD people find motivation far more challenging than others. If any task is not very interesting to them, or they cannot see the point of it (that last aspect is often overlooked) then they just cannot summon up the energy or inclination to start/complete the task. This is because they lack the chemicals in their brains just to "do it anyway". In addition to this, they have a different sense of time so looming deadlines don´t necessarily spur them on either. I have direct experience of all this! Replacing the low levels of certain chemicals with medication [u]as part of multi-strand strategic approach [/u]can make an enormous difference, I was reluctant to medicate for many many years and now I regret it. The newly-diagnosed 16 year old son of a friend of mine said it was like being slightly short-sighted and wearing glasses for the first time. 

Oops! Nigel's surname is Lowson. Autocorrect always thinks it knows better!

Hello,
I work for a tutoring agency called Harrison Allen based in Earlsfield and we have many specialist tutors who work with a variety of pupils with extra needs, SEN, low self esteem, mental health issues, EAL and refugees.
Please do give my colleague Rosa a call as I am sure it will be something we can assist you with. I have also heard of universities offering support to students and a mentor system amongst their peers.
Best wishes
Pippa

Nigel Lawson is the person you need.
His number is 07462 281 780
Nigel helped me with my son a couple of years ago. He is very insightful and inspiring.

I don’t have anyone to suggest as funnily enough Im looking for someone for my son too who has very similar issues. The good thing is that your friends son wants to get help. My son has resisted for a long time and has finally accepted that help would be a good idea but we are not sure where to start. I’ll be watching this thread!

Really looking for the sensitive and helpful responses to this post that Nappy Valley is so brilliant at :

The 19 year old son of a friend has achieved his dream. He has secured a place at his first choice Uni to study his dream course and he'll be starting in London in October. It has been a bit of a long road - he had to change tack after school and do extra study at college to  get the additional qualifications he needed but he's done it and he's there, so all good.

He has however had long standing issues with concentration, motivation, focus and confidence since before GCSEs, which have really held him back. He recognises this and he and his amazing Mum have talked about him getting some support (perhaps talking therapy?) to help him through his Uni years. Having worked so hard to get onto this course, he really wants to make the most of it and to feel better about himself. This is more than just typical teenage boy issues. 

If there is anyone out there who can help or knows someone who can, we'd love you to respond to this. There is a feeling he might work better with a man but all recommendations are welcome.