Year 12 (4): The one where they're pondering what to do next

TheFirstOHN trying to encourage self care and a regular sleeping and eating routine. Two steps forward, one back...

My biggest concern is if DD has to retake her first year of A levels it will knock her already fragile self esteem

TheFirstOHN she has just finished 6 sessions with CAMHS and self referred to College conselllor.

Got to go, back later x

The other thing we did insist upon was him attending all GP and CAMHS appointments and making an effort to engage with the support offered, although this might not be possible or feasible for your DD.

sandwiches77
My suggestion would be to focus on the self-care first. She should aim to get up, shower and get dressed every day. She needs to eat regular meals and establish a healthy sleep routine. Ideally, it would be good if she can get out of the house at least once each day. Once her self-care is in place, hopefully she will be in a better place to start studying.

This approach worked for DS1 when he was unwell, and helped him to get through his GCSE and A-level years. He didn't achieve the grades he would have been capable of if he had been feeling 100%, but he did achieve enough to get into a good university, and he now finds university life easier to manage than school.

Can pay zero/day to £20/yr to access UEA library, DD went there to do some EPQ research. UEA seems like neither rich nor poor Uni.

Sandwiches - the revision was prior to his end of yr 12 exams. Now he is usingbot for coursework. She will find her own way. They usually do. My older son actually ended up repeating year 12 before settling down to at least some form of study.

Peaseblossom - I suspect it is because Cambridge Uni is so wealthy they can offer subsidised passes and somewhere like Suffolk needs all the cash it can get to run the library.

DD told me that mentioning revision or tutoring just stresses her out... I get that, but what am I supposed to stand back and watch her fail 🤔

Also noticed this I have a ds who ‘loves libraries’ especially to work in so I looked up our local university ( Suffolk) they charge £25 ‘registration’ and £25 a year and no access to study spaces which seems extortionate compared to Cambridge

@OKBobble Thanks! I didn't know about this and have just text DS to suggest it. He also has this history coursework essay thing to do next term (he's doing the Crusades) so it might be what he needs to inspire great writing

Kingscote - my DS has paid £15 for a 6 month Cambridge Uni library pass. He has found it really useful as a place to revise without distraction and now as he needs to find sources for his history coursework invaluable. I was impressed that he did this off his own back as I had no idea regular people could buy this type of pass, so I reimbursed him.

He is impressed that he can give a list of books and articles in at the desk and someone will bring them to him

Ds has taken himself off to our library to work each day this week - he says he sits next to the person who looks the most hard-working in the hope that it will rub off!

Quiet, nice and cool, free wifi, opposite a Cafe Nero - what's not to like?

We are down in Devon next week and staying about 20 mins from Exeter so we will go and have a look around- DD wasn't keen but sometimes when you see a place you change your mind.

I think the universities could play a part in setting up a scheme with the train operating companies - register for the open day - get free travel.

Exeter offered a discount (which could be claimed on top of any railcard discount) last year.

Thanks for your wisdom oneteen

@sandwiches77 - Your DD will need a break from school work during the holidays - yes the assessments will be important in September but I think if she is doing the work experience I wouldn't expect her to revise too. I think DD's school advised them to spend at least 4 of the 8 weeks just chilling...

irk! DD needs a DBS to volunteer in care home... Enhanced DBS costs £44 (we think) and the care home has to apply for it. And the care home manager is on leave next week. DD wanted to get all the care home WE done before September and now that looks impossible unless she only goes a few times. I need to talk to DD about what are best options.

oneteen it is but I'm stressing that I've pushed DD into work experience and will be my fault if she doesn't pass the assessment in September. She hasn't been doing any revision when she gets home from her work experience, which I know isn't my fault, but I still feel guilty.... sigh....

Just read the article. Interesting that Sheffield is quoted as offering some hundreds of beds for free accommodation - we went there and didn't see that offer