Year 11 GCSE support thread 6 - exams and proms

He already has History and English in his choices Sugar. He wants to do Chemistry, and possibly German although he's dithering about that.

I think RG is lazy shorthand for traditional universities and result is some 6th formers stressing about the idea of applying to places such as St. Andrews and Bath (don't think either are RG), places which have a good solid reputation. Hence Friend's DD asking if her parents would feel she would be letting them down if she opted for Reading instead of Exeter as it comes with paid work experience and we'll paid job at end if she passes. Madness she she ask really but get why she did.

She's needed a fair bit of guidance. First conversation was her saying ti me she might want to do Law so she would need A Level law - she was most surprised when I said if she wanted to do Law she'd be best to avoid it at A Level.

How are things going with DS Poppy?

It can be quite daunting trying to make choices when they don't know what they want to do Sparkling. I think at that point it is good to think good spread of traditional options to keep options open - think skill sets - essay writing/analysis, science, maths, language etc and combinations of. If DS gets to 6th form and doesn't have a clue I think I would be pushing 3 of the more traditional subjects to be on the safe side - though whether he would play ball with that idea I have no idea.

One thing that did impressed with DD'S school is they did show a RG film on facilitating subjects when GCSE options were made. A fair few parents didn't go to University so I thought it was a good idea to introduce it early on.

DD is firmly heading down a creative path and I feel quite a bit at sea with it all as was taken aside at O Level option time by the art teacher to make totally sure I had no silly ideas about trying to take Art O Level! My gut instinct is that courses with good work experience will be important for her.

Sparkling despite both DH and I having been through the uni application process ourselves that thread is an eye opener.

DD1 has just finished a History degree. During her application process she managed to get 5 offers from a mix of RG and non RG unis despite (to my knowledge) not having advice from the school about facilitating subjects. It was more luck that she chose the subjects she did - a combination of subjects she enjoyed and subjects that she thought would be interesting to study.

DD2's choice of degree/career doesn't even register with RG universities BUT she is going to a very academic school for sixth form and they are hot on careers/UCAS advice.

I may also be massively oversimplifying things but if only RG degrees are desirable then how come all the other universities are still going?

I know what you mean Sparkling, it's madness, my parents never had any of this kind of worry about me and my DB.

I do understand that knowledge is power etc, but threads like that just make me doubt everything.

Hmm, OK. I think many DC are in that position at this stage. Maybe there's something to be said for trying to choose a good cluster of A levels as was the tradition in our and our parents generations (My DF talks about there being a "science sixth" etc)
Although on the other hand I've heard that many Uni's are happier with a more diverse collection these days (depending on the course)
I'm lucky that DD is beginning to have an idea of what she might like to do - in fact I'm a bit concerned the other way as to whether she's keeping a bit of an open mind to be flexible to opportunities and possibilities!

I think my worry is that he has no idea Juggling, so he's doing a Levels not tailored to any degree courses at any particular university. because at this stage that's all he can do IYKWIM.

Regarding that other thread Sparkling (about A level choices and Uni requirements for courses) I think just shows now is a good time for ours to be thinking about these things.
What does your DS want to do? What are your concerns?

Does seem ages when you put it like that HSM - but I guess it will soon be here, especially as we have a few summer trips planned before then

Not to be a downer or owt but been looking at this thread and a bit.

That's ages HSMM

Dd is loving the post exam freedom. Party on Friday, shopping Saturday and theatre in London with boyf last night (just the 2 of them, how sweet). She is looking tired though!

Sounds like she's having a ball.....maybe she'll return tomorrow with all the news. Like butterflies emerging, bless them!

Turning 'Promzilla' here. Give me strength.

I really loved B'ham when we looked around at their open day last year.

Lovely to hear about your their proms.

We've had an interesting couple of days at b'ham and Loughborough open days. The talks and lab tours have made DD even more enthused, and the students and staff were really helpful, we've all got a much better idea of what's entailed in elec/elec eng degrees now. We also looked round the physics dept at b'ham as DD wanted to get a feel for that too and it's a really good dept. But also the demos were in the lab where DH and I met long ago in our first year subsidiary physics labs. And we had a little walk round chemistry for old times sake. Standing by the board where they posted finals results it seemed like yesterday but also a lifetime ago. Weird but good.

Popping back on after a week of no exams. Been a busy week. DS was 16 on Monday then Wednesday him and DH went off camping and to watch cricket and go fishing. They're just back and DS looks so relaxed and rested it was obviously the right thing to do. But now he's stopping coz I keep asking about what he did/saw and all he wants to do is switch the computer on!! Can you imagine the nerve of me wanting a conversation

All the girls look gorgeous in their prom dresses, prom heren is 10th July and 6th form induction day is 8th so much later than many.

Just caching up. Beautiful DDs in their Prom dresses and good to hear your DS is back Poppy,even if it's only a visit.

Oh Poppy, I am so glad he has come home for however long. I think you are right to keep things light and pick your battles but don't let him break the boundaries, it is likely he is not upset with you, he is just pushing and testing as they all do at that stage to see what he can get away with.

If you can maintain as much of a united front as possible with his dad it should all work itself out in the next little while.

I'll bet your daughter is looking forward to results day now dingit. Great news.

Son came home a couple of hours ago. his dad's gone out and thankfully Ds is still coming with me at lunchtime to see a birthday relative. he hardly spoke and went off up to his room saying he was going to sleep. I'm trying to keep bright and breezy as if none of this is bothering me but really, Wtf have I done to make things so awful and strained?