Year 11 GCSE Exam Support Thread 2

sg I don't think it's worth expending energy trying to figure out where you went wrong.

For one thing, you probably didn't. Young people have minds of their own and whilst we can guide them I don't think we can force then to do much that they seriously do not want to do.

I have a fairly easy ride with my two as they want to do very well and have made the connection between their ambitions and the graft needed.

Don't get me wrong, they do not spend all day locked in their rooms revising. And they don't wake up cheering at the thought of two hours going through diffusion. They're not angels.

They're still all great kids giraffe, even if they don't appear to be doing much it might just be a different learning style. Some people like a last minute cram, some like a steady pace.

As long as she gets what she needs to go on to the next stage (college?) she will be fine. Does she need particular grades in any specific subjects?

My ds needs 6 grade C or above in any subject (including English and Maths) so actually only half of what he is taking and a lower grade than he is predicted. Technically, he could just pick about 7 subjects that he prefers and just study those. Looking at it like that it doesn't seem too daunting.

SugarPlum, hope you are feeling a bit better. You definitely need to look after yourself with so much on your plate.

I don't remember doing any revision for my O'levels other than the night before the exam. And I thankfully don't remember any pressure from the teachers who probably didn't care about me (or most of my classmates) as I wasn't top of the top set in my grammar school.

sillygiraffe and lots of sympathy.

I think my DD is somewhere in the middle of revising really hard and relaxing - although she is going into school and allegedly doing stuff in her room, she is not overworking I am fine with this - it would be unrealistic for her to be completely focused and unremitting as she wouldn't want to/be able to keep up that level of commitment for A'levels or university - she wants a social life too!

I will probably be in the "lazy, unmotivated, don't care about any of it" club with DS in 2 years time, unless some miracle happens!

I am in the tiny minority here. From what I have read you all seem to have great kids who want to do well and I cant believe the amount of revision they seem to be doing. My dc has done nothing so far these holidays, apart from one day's session at school and just seems intent on having a rest and a good time. I cannot make her do work and I am so sad and disappointed with her. No point in imposing sanctions etc as it will push her the other way.

So for all of you disillusioned and disappointed mums out there come and join the "lazy, unmotivated, dont care about any of it" club and lets try and support each other. PM me if you like

To all you others, well done for having such great kids. I am so jealous and I dont know where I have gone wrong!

Good luck to everyone and roll on the end of June when it will all be over.

Thank you both. I have to go for bloods next week as when we dipped my urine at home (DH T1 diabetic since childhood) there was a trace of sugar so we tested blood sugar properly and it was a bit high. Huge wake up call to be honest as think I am quite probably Prediabetic and want to keep it at the Pre stage. My flipping blood pressure is up too. Quiet weekend for me.

No revision has happened here so far today so am very impressed with Casa WF.

I don't remember a lot about O Levels but don't remember them being hugely stressful, I am ok with exams though. DD hates them which doesn't help.

sugar you must look after yourself in order to look after anyone else. Think of it like an oxygen mask on the plane; they tell you to secure yours first!

Not a bad here at Casa WF. Went shopping with DH and managed to choose sofas, a rug, a coffee table and a lamp.

Dd has done 4.5 hours revision. DS has done 2.5 which is pretty impressive to say he's just back from DofE expedition. He looks so tired but said it was fun.

Take the doctor's advice, sugar - and thanks for passing it on.
Sometimes it seems to me more stressful supporting a kid through this than it was doing my own O-levels - TBH I really do think they were in many ways a lot easier than GCSEs (well, if you were a natural exam-doer, at any rate).

Spudmasher think DH is taking DD to the cinema today.

Hi Madasgardian . You are definitely allowed a boast, how flipping fantastic is that.

I've just been to OOH GP as have a UTI. My blood pressure is up and DH (T1 diabetic since childhood) tested my blood sugar and it was a bit high.

I've had a good talking to about looking after myself and not putting everyone else first. I thought that actually that is true and something I'd share with you all.

Just popping in to say Hello. My DD is at school today for a few hours doing maths revision. They are able to go in evey day over the holidays but had to book in to revision sessions. She has done 3 lots this week and is in Tuesday to Thursday next week. Term starts again on 13th.

She got an A in an English Language mock last week so she was thrilled with that, she is doing English at A level. (Am I allowed a little boast, not stealth, just blatant - she took English Lit in Y10 and got an A*)

She has ordered her prom dress and has shoes.

She's fairly chilled for now but will build up to a massive stress a few days before her first exam. Once she sits the first one she'll be ok again.

She is working on a timetable and can be trusted to get on and work without too much nagging. I am a bit concerned as she's just started a job 2 evenings a week (finishes at 8) but it is almost impossible for her age group to find jobs in our town so she grabbed one when the chance came along.

I think she'd just like to get it over with now and get to college!

Interesting to read all your top tips - I'll be sharing them with her later.

Good luck everyone's DCs!!

Sugarplum funnily enough, our printer has just complained that it is running out of ink. Just going to zoom to PC world now so I don't have to bother over the Easter weekend and we don't get caught short.

Pondering suggesting cinema tonight for a bit of a reward- she has really knuckled down today.

Good news HSM

Welcome to all newcomers. I am a bit gutted about no Easter holiday as would have liked to visit Family abroad. But this is more important. Thing is though we'll be knee deep on AS revision next year and A2 year I guess.

With the revision I am doing the same as BTM. DD is now talking more sense about revision strategies so fingers crossed. She has just gone round to see friend's DD for a Maths lesson.

We need a new printer, ours is rubbish and struggling with printing past papers.

Can I join in? Been lurking for a while and empathising with many!
Shhh.......dd is ACTUALLY revising and has just asked for flash cards and some new pens.....a breakthrough!
In addition, prom dress was decided upon and ordered last night, and it was in the sale, half price. Bonus.

HSM, that's great!

Welcome to newcomers - there seems to be a whole range of revision strategies/times. I agree, I am trying to trust DD and be encouraging and supportive. And am crossing my fingers!

Well I am in the same club as Bananas and Draylon. today DS has agreed to 2 x 30 mins of revision so he sets the timer for 30min, then goes to the loo then starts to 'revise'. His 30 minute session includes coming down twice to see how much time he has left to do! Not exactly a quality session!
He is predicted all As and A*s, but he is going to be disappointed in August.

My son is doing about 2hrs revision a day and insists this is enough.
He got a bunch of A*s, As and a couple of Bs in his mocks so I think I just have to trust him that he's on track.

swazza I must admit to being a bit peeved that we are missing an Easter holiday ( we always go away). And I made it pretty clear to DC that I would not be happy if, having made that sacrifice, they pissed around!

Hope dd's mock goes ok today HSM, will she be able to text you at lunchtime or something?

Word I think so too, especially has she has the same teacher!

teen I expect it's quite common to mix up two languages.

Ours get 2 weeks off, so not back until 20th (or for DD 21st as Inset). That leaves only 3 weeks until first exam.
DD had last French speaking CA this morning, she texted it went fine apart from wandering into Spanish at one point!

Hope the maths goes OK

Hello. Can I join in please.

Am doing this for the first time with eldest DD.

She broke up from school last Friday but was away until Monday. She has 3 weeks off, which is lovely as since we moved house in January she has been boarding and we miss her terribly (not sure she misses us as much)!

She has been told she should be revising at least 5 hours per day. She came home with her own revision timetable. It starts at 8am every day and allows one hour for each subject with half hour breaks between and 2 hours for lunch - to help allow a bit of leeway - in case she sleeps in etc.

She is allowing herself weekends off revision completely. So far she has stuck to it. This morning she has tackled Latin, Biology and is now on To Kill A Mocking Bird notes for Eng Lit.

I feel a bit peeved our holidays and precious time together is very limited due to her revision but am not complaining as I am just so so so so relieved and glad she is actually knuckling down. I have to say though, we live so far from her school and as we are new here she has no real social distractions, although she is very close to her younger 13yo sister. Who has so far not even glanced at her very minimal holiday homework!

No prom for DD. All the prom stuff is done in sixth form, so no clothes shopping needed here.