Year 12 preparing for AS levels

We've had a look at the open days; one is on the same day as Bristol which is stupid as it's a stone's throw from Bristol but the days are so full on that you can't do both in one day.
DS is now changing his mind about his subject choice, he's thinking of the new one over a subject which he is passionate about. Both are equally good for careers. Of course I can't tell him so I just have to hope that the original subject department has a better sales pitch at the open days. Bugger.

Sympathy to all those suffering from poorly-timed illnesses, there's a lot about. DS2 has a hacking cough just in time for SATs.

DS1 is feeling perkier (he is the up cycle of white cell count but will be in the nadir at exam time). He has another week at school, then study leave, two internal exams week 1, two in week 2, then half term, then the two AS exams so all nicely spread out for him. They don't get the results of the non-AS exams until the end of the year in case people decide there and then to drop them. They are back on 12th June and keep trucking until 20th July.

We've been looking at open days but Liverpool now seems to be off the agenda following this week's liberal studies where they had a talk by a prisoner who was a former gang lord in Liverpool - let's just say it was a bit of an eye opener and he thinks Liverpool is too dodgy (having grown up in Belfast, I can say that Liverpool is a much nicer city)

Grrrr, trying to get DS to register for open days is like trying to herd cats! He hasn't even got an email address...

He has a long list of unis to visit - trying to emulate his brother's record of 12!!
No degree subject decided yet...

First one will be Leeds, think that's the day after his last exam. I will go to some with him as tying them in with visits to family.

This has come round very quickly - is it 2 yrs since I did it with DS1? Seems like 5 minutes ago!

We are going the night before and staying in a hotel, it'll be some time just for ds and I to use the free wifi and ignore each other to have some quality time together.

It's all going very quickly isn't it?! I'm currently on gap year insurance and sorting dual nationality for DD in case the referendum goes for Brexit, want her on a EU passport at that point.

Also need to get her to arrange a sensible schedule of lessons with her tutor for the Japanese A level in September and make sure she spends the money I have given her for TEFL actually on the course. We've sorted a monthly allowance and I've put money aside for one return flight so far. Hoping her old school will be happy to let her sit the A2 exams as a private candidate.

I agree with Littleham's about the Park and Ride at Bristol. You can find spaces around the University if you know where you're going but much easier not to drive right in. I secretly have hopes DS might look at Bristol when the time comes. He's hopefully going to be my straightforward one (relatively)

dd3 is also a bit indecisive about subjects.

My older dd is volunteering to be a guide. Hope she doesn't lose any groups.

Thank you little.

You may well ask about subjects...nothing yet finalised.

DD thinking English either with or without drama, although film is also brought up from time to time.

DS fancies PPE, or PE or just E. Then sometimes law.

Fuck knows is the technical term .

DD is doing the Rvc open day this Saturday .I can't go...
Bryan Adams concert plus visiting my Mum who had recently had a knee replacement.DD is extremely cross with me.I am booked to to travel to Edinburgh,Bristol and Liverpool.

www.bristol.ac.uk/opendays/travel/

You are probably best off using the park and ride for Bristol. Head for junction 17 of the M5 and follow the signs to The Mall (shopping centre). The university has buses leaving regularly on Open Days and it will take around 20 to 30 minutes to get to the university precinct.

The university also runs shuttle buses up to the Stoke Bishop Halls. These leave from near the precinct ,Woodlands Rd (just outside The Hawthorns accommodation).

What subject is it for?

We plan to drive but hadn't got further than that little.

Is park and ride a good bet?

I'm guessing that you will all take the train or park and ride bus into Bristol. However for anyone who drives into the centre make sure you go under 20mph as there is a massive new speed restriction and it is enforced.

DD is planning on going to 3 or possibly 4 open days. Plus she is doing an engineering course in the summer, so that will be another university visit.

DP will be going to one of them with her. For the rest she will go with friends. I'm not involved at all, other than paying for the train tickets.

Oh and I'm going with them.
They seem to want me to and I'm pretty intrigued TBH .

We've already visited one actually, but not in the UK. It was quite exciting...which probably marks me out as the loser I am.

I'm going to the first one with ds, after that it's up to him, many are on days I am working and can't have time off.

dingit we'll probably do quite few because there's two of them. Hopefully a few will appeal jointly (at least for a look-see).

I think we're gearing up for quite gruelling process as both will make UCAS applications, DD will also make drama school applications and there is likely some applications to non UK universities.

Dingit, I'm not planning to attend any - they are (IMHO) for DD to sort out and attend, probably with her mates! However, if she is desperate for me to go with her to one, I am happy to go with her.

Could I ask how many open days you are planning to attend?

Well, DD and her mates seem to have booked themselves in on the Manchester and Leeds Open Days I am now hoping that my dear friend might let them stay the night/try to book them into a Premier Inn as they can stay there from 16 unsupervised, I think. And buy a railcard and book train tickets

thanks for the heads up re Bristol. DS is now booked on it.

He has study leave starting Monday 9th May until 20th June and only has to go in for exams, the first one being on the following Monday 16th May.

After that they will start lessons on their A2 subjects until they break up at the end of July.

harridan sorry your dd is under so much pressure. Three in one day is too much I think.

Horrible time for dd. Has a horrid cough, is getting headaches due to stress and has 3 AS exams in one day........aargh.

My two go on study leave next Monday, I think. I should check.

In the meantime they've booked themselves onto the Bristol open day. Apparently it took ages because it wouldn't take two applications from the sane email account...

He has study leave?!

DD has 2 weeks off after (half term and week after), back in for 3 weeks, then finishes on 1st July This is a state comp, not private!

Ds and I worked out on Monday that if he revises for 2 hours on three evenings a week and does 8 hours over the weekend, plus 5 hours a day on study leave days, he will have about 50 hours revision time before exams start.

Over four subjects that's just over 12 hours each. Some subjects are split into two sections (such as history which is Romans with one teacher and Greeks with another) so in effect that's just 6 hours for each section.

He is going to try and just do practice papers to get his essays sorted and then do a few timed ones without notes to see how he gets on. I'm surprised but obviously pleased that he seems to have a plan. He's even started looking at university courses at last!

Study leave start Monday. Good luck to everyone