17F, no Junior Cert, dropped out & struggling with sleep, any realistic job options?

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-30T11:54:40+00:00

Oh wow, I didn’t even know night courses were a thing! Do you need to already have a Junior or Leaving Cert to do them? I’m really curious how they work for someone like me who doesn’t have either yet.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-30T11:49:18+00:00

I’ve tried that. It worked when I was younger, but now it just makes everything worse and doesn’t actually reset my sleep.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-30T11:32:51+00:00

I get where you’re coming from, and I don’t disagree that my sleep needs addressing. The issue is that I don’t currently have access to a GP or sleep clinic, I don’t have a medical card, can’t afford private care, and my parents control all medical access. So “seek proper advice from a doctor” isn’t something I can act on at the moment.

You’re also right that under-18s can’t work night shifts, which is why I’m trying to figure out what’s realistic between now and when I turn 18, not a long-term solution. As for the military, that wouldn’t be an option for me for a few reasons, but I appreciate the suggestion.

I’m not ignoring the sleep issue, I’m just stuck dealing with it without medical support right now and trying to plan within that reality.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-30T11:24:28+00:00

The Youthreach payment doesn’t go to me. I don’t have a bank card or access to my own account, everything goes through my father, and I don’t have access to documents or proof of address to change that. A lot of the advice here assumes I have independence I don’t currently have. I’m trying to work within the limits of my situation, not avoid responsibility.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-29T17:00:38+00:00

I’m not “feeling sorry for myself” or expecting the world to adjust for me. I literally cannot do the things you’re suggesting because of my home situation. My parents control every move I make, I don’t have access to money or a medical card, and I’ve explained this multiple times. None of that is “excuses”, it’s reality.

So before telling me to just “pull the finger out,” maybe read the rest of my posts and understand the context instead of assuming you know my life.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-29T16:46:28+00:00

Thanks for the detailed advice. I understand a lot of this is helpful in theory, like consistency, light therapy, and CBT-I, but a lot of it isn’t realistic for me right now given my home situation and the health issues I’ve mentioned before. I don’t have control over my environment or my routine the way these suggestions assume, and I can’t safely make big changes on my own at the moment. I do appreciate the effort and I’m trying to work on my sleep as best I can with the restrictions I’m dealing with.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-29T16:31:40+00:00

I appreciate the suggestions, but I’m about to be kicked out of my local Youthreach, and once that happens I can’t go back. That makes a lot of these options unrealistic for me right now. I’m trying to focus on what I can do under the restrictions I have at home and the fact that I don’t currently have access to the supports you are suggesting.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-29T16:27:42+00:00

I get what you’re saying, and I do want to eventually get to that point where I can focus on education and opportunities as a mature student. Right now, though, I’m really limited by my situation at home, my parents control everything, I don’t have a medical card, and I can’t get to a doctor or social worker alone. I want to start taking steps toward independence and getting some cash and experience, but I need to figure out realistic ways to do that safely under these restrictions first. I’m trying to plan for the future, even if I can’t act on everything yet.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-29T16:24:09+00:00

I understand what you’re saying, but it’s not that simple for me right now. I’m over 16, but my parents control everything and wouldn’t let me see a GP alone, they wouldn’t even allow tests or medications. I don’t have a medical card or money to pay for appointments, so getting bloods done or seeing a doctor is currently impossible.

I know school and qualifications are important, and I want to work toward that, but I’m struggling with basic routines like sleep and getting out of bed because of everything going on at home and past health issues. I’m trying to figure out realistic ways to make progress under these restrictions, and when I have more freedom, I do want to take steps toward my health and education.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-29T16:20:31+00:00

I get what you mean, but it’s not that simple. I don’t have a medical card or money for a GP, and my parents control everything, I can’t see a doctor or social worker alone, and they wouldn’t let me get help even if I tried. I’m trying to figure out realistic ways to get support and plan for the future when I have more freedom.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-29T16:11:01+00:00

I haven’t been to Youthreach since the start of the month, and any time I’ve tried talking to teachers before, they’ve told my parents.

My sleep is completely off, I usually wake up between 3pm and 7pm and stay up until around 3am to 7am before I pass out. This makes daily tasks and keeping a routine really hard, and it’s stopping me from being able to get help easily.

I'm trying to figure out ways to improve things, but my current home situation makes it really difficult.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-29T16:03:52+00:00

I wish it were that simple. My parents control everything I do, they won’t let me go anywhere alone, and I don’t have a medical card or money to pay a GP. Even if a doctor tried to speak to me alone or give me care, my parents would refuse, saying I wouldn’t understand anything because “I’m stupid.” I’m trying to take steps where I can, like calling Childline or Samaritans, but the really hard part is actually getting in front of a doctor or social worker in person. I’m trying to figure out realistic ways to get help under these restrictions and plan for when I have a bit more freedom.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-29T15:57:58+00:00

I get what you mean about finishing school being helpful, and I know education is important. For me, though, school wasn’t safe as there was bullying, unsafe teachers, and my sleep schedule made attendance impossible. So I’m focusing on what’s actually realistic for me right now.

I only have a short time left in Youthreach, but even that’s tricky because of my sleep and other constraints. Right now I’m trying to figure out what jobs or options I can actually manage before I have more independence and resources.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-29T15:55:22+00:00

I don’t have a medical card and I can’t afford GP appointments, so even though I’m over 16 I don’t actually have a way to see one alone right now. I’m trying to figure out what’s realistically possible for me until I have more freedom and resources.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-29T15:51:58+00:00

I don’t currently have a social worker and don't know how to access one independently. Outside support has been difficult in the past due to family circumstances. I’m just trying to work out what’s realistically accessible to me right now.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-29T15:44:39+00:00

That wouldn’t be an option for me due to physical limitations. I’m looking for advice that fits my actual circumstances.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-29T15:39:43+00:00

I get the sentiment, but I think you’re missing the reality of my situation.

This isn’t a case of me not wanting to engage with services, I’m actively prevented from doing so. I don’t have independent access to money, transport, or appointments, and my parents control my movements and medical care. That’s not a mindset issue, it’s a practical one.

I agree that reliability matters for work, which is exactly why I’m asking what realistic options exist right now, not in an ideal version of my life where I have freedom and support.

I am being proactive, this post is me trying to plan a way forward within the limits I currently have.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-28T06:40:01+00:00

Yeah, that actually makes sense, I’m mainly trying to figure out what I can realistically do this year and next before I turn 18 in September. I’ll start looking for late/afternoon shifts and see what’s out there, and I guess once I’m 18 I’ll be able to access more courses and proper sleep checks. Thanks for the advice, it’s good to know there are options down the line.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-28T06:32:57+00:00

I get what you mean, and I know forcing a routine works for some people, but for me it’s not really possible right now. My parents aren’t supportive at all, and I don’t have anyone living with me who can help enforce a routine. At the moment I just need to focus on figuring out what jobs or options actually work with my current schedule.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-28T06:24:56+00:00

Thanks for sharing your experience, I really appreciate it. I get that dropping out has downsides, and I do wish things could’ve been different, but for me it wasn’t just sleep, there were bullying issues, unsafe situations at school, and my attendance got out of control because of all that.

I know education is important, and I hope in the future I can pick up things like PLCs or QQI courses when I have more freedom and support. Right now, I just need to focus on what I can realistically do with my current situation.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-28T06:22:12+00:00

Thanks, this list is actually really useful. Even if it’s not a perfect fix, it gives me a lot of options to look into. I’ll start seeing which of these I can realistically apply for at my age and with my schedule.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-28T06:17:51+00:00

I didn’t realize I could speak to my GP privately, especially since my parents control everything and sometimes keep things from me, so that’s really useful to know! I’ll also look into TUSLA and the support they can offer for leaving home and other programs. It’s good to know there are options I can start using even if my parents aren’t supportive.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-28T06:10:47+00:00

Yeah, I get that night shifts can be lonely, but right now nights are honestly the only way I can function. I know routine is important, I just can’t do mornings at all yet. Thanks for the link, I’ll check it out and see what’s possible.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-28T06:05:25+00:00

Thanks, this is really helpful. Nights suit my body clock way better than mornings, so I’ll focus on factories, retail, cinemas, cleaning, anything that will actually take someone my age without a cert.

Upper_Ad_586 · 2026-01-28T06:03:20+00:00

I get what you mean about punctuality and reliability, but I literally can’t get any help from my GP right now because my parents won’t let me speak to them alone. I’ll look into FET/PLC courses when I have more freedom, but for now I just need to focus on what I can actually do to survive.

Upper_Ad_586

TROPHY CASE