Year 11 GCSE Exam Support Thread 2

We can keep each other company. I don't know about you but I hate the way it all drags on and on and on. It feels like it will never end. No wonder they find it hard to stay focussed.

I keep trying to break things up a bit, but I'm running out of ideas. Any good ideas for some treats? I'm not looking forward to study leave.

I realised today I know no other parents of y11s.

I know a fair number of y9 and y10 parents, but the only y11 parents are you lovely lot.

Sorry to hear from those of you struggling with no-workers. DD is in agreement with me - she wants to get to 20th August with no 'what ifs'.

Bananas, DD got mighty fed up with DH banging on about maths all the time, and he finally took note and shut up. Things started looking up!
It's really hard to not keep going on. I have to weld my jaw shut on some occasions! I second the !

Bananas, I've just told dd they are her results in August, not mine. I rest my case. ( although I may break in to a case of )

Thanks all. I couldnt get to see her maths teacher at last parents evening as there were about 50 people waiting and we ran out of time. DD has told us previously that she struggles with algebra so DH could help her pick marks up with that. Just had another row with her about it. Apparently all I ever talk to her about is, in her words, "bastard maths!" and the more I go on about it the less she is going to do it. She is quite happy to spend hours texting etc on her phone but wont take time out from that to do maths for an hour.

My knee jerk reaction is to punish her in some way and force her to do some work. We could take the phone off her/cancel her contract but that might end up making things worse and I feel like I will be punishing her for not a very good reason. After all she is just bone idle and selfish etc but hasnt done anything wrong. I dont want to make things even worse now so close to the exams so I wont be doing that but once exams are over I am seriously going to consider this unless her attitude changes.

She has been doing extra maths lessons during school, instead of PE so thats something I suppose.

How do I stop going on about it all the time? Its so hard for me seeing her wasting so much time doing nothing. Even one single hour a day doing schoolwork would be marvelous in my eyes.

I NEED to leave it alone now! (but I know I wont)

Argh. Dd and I have just had words. She was in France all weekend, and her boyfriend turned up at 10.30 this morning for the day, when she was still asleep.
I've just asked her plans for the rest of the week. She is seeing him tomorrow, going to school for a couple of hours Wednesday and Thursday, then Thursday afternoon going up to London with some friends. The revision time seems minimal!

Bananas, have you spoken to her maths teacher to explain the problem and find out the areas she really needs to focus on - you could say you only have to revise those areas instead of the whole syllabus, not idea I know but better than nothing and once she starts...... You could also suggest inviting a friend round so they both revise maths together might make it slightly more fun!

I do really feel for you but sometimes the only way to learn is by our mistakes! Try to stay calm you really have done everything you can to help DD - Happy Easter!

Bananas, sympathies. You are right - knowing that you have tried to do your best for her. And I agree with the others, now you have to try to step back and let her decide for herself whether she is going to go for it. Maybe she is petrified of failing and feels not trying would be getter. Or maybe it's because she knows it would be a huge effort and she doesn't feel she has it in her. Or maybe she needs tome to mature and really knuckle down - maybe not in time for this year. Whatever, it's not your fault

It is really hard to step back

DD had a much needed day off today apart from running through MFL CA stuff for 15mins at the start and end of the day.

She's definitely flagging now and needs a break, but has the MFL CA, drama dress rehearsal and probably an ICT test to do before Easter. I will not be expecting any other work apart from prepping for those 3.

petunia I think there's a lot to be said for focussing on the subjects with lower grades - provided of course the other ones don't drop whilst they're not being given attention! It's a fine balancing act isn't it?

I long for a revision plan......but no chance. I have to constantly check DS is revising, which is easier now that the computer is in the dining room. Today he's done 1 hour of English then played some games and then another hour of maths. I am really trying to get him to do some of each subject but failing. He's focusing on the ones he got the lower grades on in the mocks. Am hoping we get a school easter revision clad timetable at some point this week. I know he's staying each night this week

Yes I've tried all that. Telling her if she works at it now then she wont have to ever do maths again. She's not listening though.

At least when it comes to it I will know that I have done all that I can do.

Time for wine I think!

Agree that if she won't do it then not much you can do. Would it make you feel better to know that DD spent probably half an hour artistically spilling coffee in he sciemce homework as she is determined she will not do it, I said we'd help he to avoid he after school detention but she is adamant.

I think she had given up on Maths until she realised it might stop her doing one of he options then she started working. She has given up on science and I think pretty much on Ethics now her teacher has just retired (ill health) leaving her with the one she doesn't get on with. Geography very touch and go. I hope she is like Littleham's friend's DD and comes into her own in 6th form with Art and Photography, I think she will.

Oh it is so hard bananas. Do try to stop nagging for your own sake. If she knows that what you want for her is for her to be able to not have to think about maths after this summer but it is up to her then that is all you can do, the rest is up to her.

All the prom outfits are lovely. Keep the pictures coming. Cheering me up.

Not much you can do if she won't listen. Had a friend in exactly the same position last year with a dd who hated the academic subjects (wouldn't work, point blank refused) but loved Art & photography. She just about scraped the five C's needed for sixth form and is much happier now.

Yes I cannot understand why she would want to continue with a subject she hates when doing a little bit extra now would probably get her through. It really is crazy but she is so so stubborn and will only do what she wants to do and is happy to scrape through.

She needs 5 GCSE's to go to 6th form college and if she does not get a C in maths will have to resit. She seems happy with that. Tbh she probably will get the 5 GCSe's required. She is on target to get A's in drama and expressive arts which she loves and has just finished ICT coursework which will get her at least a B but the rest are just a chore for her. So its not all bad really, just the maths which I wish she would work at.

I am sick of nagging her about revision and she is sick of me nagging her as well but I just cant seem to help myself. Its not making any difference other than to cause arguments so I really have to try and stop.

Oh dear!

Oh bananas how depressing and annoying for you.

Why would anyone think it would be easier to resit next year rather than pass first time - it's just crazy!

Does she have plans for next year that depend on her getting certain grades? Does she have a Plan B?

I think you have to do your best to persuade/bribe her to work, then at least come 20th August you'll know you did your best, even if she didn't.

Having read through these posts I am thoroughly depressed. Nearly all of your dc's seem to be knuckling down and doing revision and at least making some effort whereas my DD is doing nothing outside of school. I am so disappointed in her as she just does not seem to care and is happy just to scrape through. I am so desperate that I am paying her to go into school for a few sessions over easter but they are not in the subjects she struggles with which are maths and science. I have even offered to pay her to have extra maths tuition with her dad and she is refusing this. How crazy is it that I have to bribe her to do something that is for her own benefit and still she wont do it! Its disgusting. She's like its ok, I will just resit my maths!

I just think that these exams are so important for her future but I really have to step back and hope that she will have a change of heart soon :(

Lovely colours littleham, here's dds

Oh yes Littleham, DD would like that too!
Have just spent 20mins with her sorting through clothes (at her request!!!) and she has chucked out 4 carrier bags worth

That's lovely Littleham, DD would love that ! I also think with something like that she'll get more wear out of it in the future.

She likes something a bit different!