GCSE Support Thread 2013

Oh, MrsBartlet - DD1 has started the post exam reading a bit early, too - she's read half of Game of Thrones since yesterday evening. Mind you, I'm not criticising her - that;s almost exactly what I did when I was doing my O and A levels - different books though, because GRRM hadn't got started at that point. And it's not like I haven't been pushing them at her like literary crack for the last year. You need something to properly give you a break in between revision sessions and exams. You need to wind down. So it's fine (I hope).

Wow MrsBartlet - what a treat...for you and DD! Really something to look forward to! My DS is going back to boarding for the last 2 weeks of term (he's been back home with me throughout the exam period). I live abroad so will be heading back as soon as teh exams finish but he wants to stay here and catch up with mates etc for the last 2 weeks then he is off on rugby tour to Australia! He will also be doing a bit of work experience towards the end of the holidays in a law firm. He has no interest in law but its the only thing I could set up for him and I guess it cant do his cv any harm!

DD1 is not yet 15, so she isn't looking for a job. They have an induction week, for the 6th form, which doesn't actually last a full week. She also has at least two music courses/events planned and possibly a third (haven't heard if she's got on it yet but I'm thinking now, not, to be honest. :( Still she got through to the final selection round so that;s not bad). It does all depend a bit on her had though - I'm wondering whether to junk at least one. Apart from all of that, she is Audrey 2 in her Drama Group's production of Little Shop of Horrors at the end of June. And we have several treats planned - some Proms (the ones at the Albert Hall, not the imported American things), Othello at the National (love the lovely Adrian Lester) and Private Lives in the West End (ditto, but double strength, for Toby Stephens. And I like Duckface too). So, plenty to look forward to....but I reckon she (and I) would swap all of it for a trip to NY, MrsBartlet! I'm not going back till October and I am counting the days (and constantly looking for some pretext to go earlier). And she has never been, and is desperate to (my job takes me there quite regularly so 'going to NY' has always been a Thing in our house).

DS has to go back to school on June 24th for the last 2 weeks of term (independent school) which he is not too happy about. Last year his sister only had to go back for the last 2 days, but apparently some parents complained, so this is the new regime!

Dd finishes on the 19th and then we are going to New York for a few days Once we are back she is doing work experience at a publishers in London for a week. She does the odd bit of work at my work so she may do a bit over the holidays but mainly I think she is planning to lie in the garden and read all summer. Given how hard she has worked I think she deserves a rest!

Cory, you're quite right, I only read your opening phrase and just thought 'how can this be when we still have so long to go' so my sincere apologies. I had no intention of belittling all that your DD has achieved so very well done to her and that will teach me to read posts more carefully before responding.

Like most we have a tough 2 weeks ahead....6 next week - Geog, history, 2x maths, chemistry and biology TA papers and then 4 following week-geog, history and 2 more maths!. Also finishing on the 20th. Good luck to everyone....on the home stretch now!

DD has had a quieter week this week but ramps up again in the next two weeks with History, Geography and two lots of Maths times 2 papers each. Still doing lessons for subjects still to be examined and revising at home - but currently having a cat nap after a lie in the sun. Will be glad when we get to 20 June (last day).

Am in awe of those DC who are doing all this with other worries, injuries or concerns - shows a real strength of character and that is a great life skill to have.

Much respect to dd, Russians

Boschy my dd2 is also getting pissed off about going to school every day while dd1 gets a lie in! Next week will be a bit more stressful though, with more exams in it.

Dd1 trying to find a job and has taken lots of CVs round town but heard nothing yet

How about voluntary work, boschy? Something to put on your CV and possibly somewhere to pick up useful skills.

Dd has just been down to see the local volunteering services. Too late to get a paid job and with her anxiety issues she really doesn't want to be hanging around doing nothing for months; she'd be a wreck before college starts.

more kudos then to russians and DD. Gah, I'm sick of these exams and I'm not even sitting them, and have not been involved in revision at all.

What is everyone elses DC doing post exams and before results/starting 6th form and college?

Mine wants to get a job but I'm worried she's left it too late. Am anticipating a lot of resentment from DD2 that she still has to go to school for another 5 weeks while DD1 doesnt. Also slightly worried about my lack of privacy... am used to working from home/pootling about when I'm not working, not having to account for another person in the house all day every day.

Cory Yes :( and yes :) - like I said, I'm a bit in awe of her. she won't do as well as she was expected to do, I'm certain, but there was no way she was just going to give up. I'm proud of her. You must be very proud of your DD too - I'm so pleased it's gone OK for her (and you).

Good heavens, that's awful, Russians. Your poor dd! But very brave of her to soldier on.

DD1 has a similarly tough week next week, Five - history, geography, the last chemistry paper, and some maths. Then the rest of the maths the week after (she is doing double maths too). She finishes on 20th.

DD1 still has 7 exams to go, and she has already sat 17 separate exams, with a broken right hand (having to type with two fingers on that hand for those exams for which she is allowed to use a computer which is by no means all) just a few weeks after being badly assaulted and suffering facial injuries. I am in awe of her for even giving it a go, in the circumstances.

Thanks for kind congratulations- and good luck to everybody's dc! We're getting there!

fivefathoms Thu 06-Jun-13 10:34:00
"Cory, lucky your DD! "

I think you may have missed the tenor of my post.

Hi,

We found this to be a brilliant way to learn, especially trying to cram in all the last minute learning.

Hope you all find it useful and good luck to you all

churchillmaths.co.uk/cmlweb/app.html

Laura xxx

cory sounds as if she and you should both be very proud. roll on the last exam...

DD1 has media today, plus more maths revision, maths all day tomorrow, maths on sat morning, and maths maths maths all next week. I know they are trying to get everyone's grades as high as they can but not sure that it might not be overkill. On the other hand if she gets her bloody C she'll never have to do maths ever again.

Cory, lucky your DD! DS has to keep motivated for a really tough week next week, history, geography and both maths followed by last geography and both further maths papers the following week to finally finish on June 21st - I feel it's been a very long haul. Thank goodness the school are still organising revision sessions which get him out of his room for a change of scene. (He is looking very white and spotty!)

Nearly over now: dd only has the maths resit next week. She dropped the second science but has otherwise gone in for every exam she was registered for this term, even the RS which she hasn't really been attending lessons in. No self-harming, no suicide attempt, no bad panic attacks. I am very, very proud.

It feels slightly odd to hear other parents talk about their children's GCSE experiences; it seems such a different world to me. All I want to see is dd face up to something difficult and survive.

prettydaisies same for my DS.....he was expecting to crsuise through physics and I think he got a bit of a shock!

DS thought physics was difficult today. It's one of his best subjects so I think he is quite worried. Oh well, that's one subject completely finished. He's playing cricket all day tomorrow (deliberately arranged for a day when the team could all play) and then he has his first classics paper on Friday.

DD1 thought the biology was 'ok'. She doesn't have anything till Monday now, so we spent the evening watching Game of Thrones. :)

Well my DS, chatty as ever said the physics "was hard" and that was it! I hope your DS feels better soon webwiz...its very draining on them!