GCSE 2018 no. 6: stress, struggles and success (hopefully) *Title Edited by MNHQ*

stickerrocks I was going to say music too. One in the front, one in the back and radio on. A talking programme such as R4 would work even better. Your DD will need an ipod for the lifts given by friend's parents I guess - that one's tougher.

Busy thread today.

Sorry for your loss Oddsocks

Thanks Cherryburn - Tassomai now working.

Re the fear / melt downs that your dc are experiencing RosieLig and mmzz - that's never far away with my dd either. This evening she has declared that she won't finish everything, doesn't know it and will fail. I think most students go through this wobble? I just keep pointing out to her that she did okay with her mocks so she should be fine with her GCSEs, and even if she isn't it won't be the end of the world. I find myself talking about famous folk who have done well in life without a string of impressive qualifications like Richard Branson (I've caught her eye rolling in response )

I think we have to just keep repeating - 'you've worked hard, whatever happens we are proud of you'

I am quite certain she will pass all her GCSEs - they may well not be grades that set the world on fire (although her Art should be 7-9 and interestingly given her dyslexia her English could get to a 7), but a lot of people don't manage to leave school with 9 and a half (one short course) GCSEs so it will be cause for celebration that she has passed a good range of subjects.

Sorry to hear of the loss of your FIL Oddsocks

I am so glad that DS withdrew from the RS exam back in Feb - sympathies to all who are finding the revision heavy going. And I agree with those who are ‘cuttting losses’ - for DS it was no.11 GCSE (everyone studies for the GCSE at his school). DS did take some reassuring that 10 GCSEs (plus Add Maths FSMQ) was enough, despite him only needing/scoring points from his best 9 for his preferred sixth form offer.

I liked stickerrocks summary. I am rather amazed that I have a DC falling into the calm and collected category who has been revising steadily. No panics - yet? This is for a student who was out of school for over a year back at the start of secondary. The only thing causing him stress is whether to keeping attending lessons once the exams start on May 14th - they have timetabled lessons as normal around their GCSES until that subject has been examined. In theory, lessons are compulsory, but I’m sure I could make a case for DS revising at home instead. DS is worried about missing out if he’s not in lessons, but equally gets frustrated if revision classes only cover stuff he knows!

Stickerrocks - I would just be honest but bring it up this week when you are all together before exams start.

Oddsocks - glad to see you back sorry to hear about FIL.

MMzz - glad that I don't have the DH problem ..but occasionally it would be nice to have some moral support instead of feeling like the whole weight of parenting the teen through GCSE's is on my shoulders..

odd really sorry to hear.

No revision in three days here because of music commitments. Getting really stressed because he's not the type to revise or do a past paper in the car or anywhere else. Very distracted also. Tomorrow is day 1 of study leave and I hope day 1 of serious revision.

Really sorry to hear your news Oddsocks. Glad you've had a productive couple of days in the garden.

DS has been on Maths & Chemistry today. He announced this morning that he's 'just going to keep on working till it's done' now. So naturally I am now worrying that he's overdoing it! Think the fear has kicked in (for him-mine kicked in a while ago!) We're back on bloody RS tomorrow (finishing the sections we didn't get to yesterday). Hopefully the verbal approach is working and it's a lot less time-consuming than doing past papers. They're next to impossible to mark anyway because the mark-schemes are so wooly.

mmzz sorry to hear of the marital strife. DH is away for a week (business not pleasure) and I'm enjoying the time with just DS and me (not sure DS would say the same!)

Kingscote DS is on the old Edexcel igcse syllabus I'm afraid.

Thanks for the summary stickerrocks

It has been upsetting and stressful but life has to go on. Had two days in the garden constructing a modern style rock garden, absolutely knackered now, and a sit down

I like stickerrocks plan of going to a comedy show whenever things get too much. I went to a stand-up night on Friday evening, but it was one of those intimate affairs where the room only seats 15 people, and just felt awkward.

I suggest seeing whether you can bin the lift share during exams.

stickerrocks that sounds really awkward; I suggest she sends her friend a carefully worded message this weekend to explain.

DS2 went to see Avengers: Infinity War this afternoon. He took a Physics practice paper with him so he could do some in the car on the way there and on the way home. He got quite cross when his brothers wouldn't stop talking about the film on the way home and he couldn't get much done.

He is a bit subdued today and has lost his sense of humour. I think we're seeing the first signs of stress.

I've decided that GCSEs are a bit like pregnancy/birth/toddler stories. Those with older DC have been there, done that and don't understand that straight A*s and coursework are a thing of the past and think we are being a bit precious. Those with younger DC think year 11 will never come & don't know what all the fuss is about. Other year 11 parents aren't interested either as they are too busy worrying about their own DC and think others are doing too much/too little by comparison. Thank goodness we're such a mixed bunch here.

On another note, we lift share to & from school with another DC. Unfortunately DD and chum are poles apart in their approach & stress levels. DD wants to sprint into school not talking and avoid a post exam post mortem after each paper. Other DC wants reassurance and a line by line regurgitation of the exam. Any hints & tips of avoiding the end of a 16 year friendship over the next 6 weeks?

Yep today has been a bit of a washout in terms of work done. My husband has now taken my son to play a bit of cricket!

I’m going to try to get home from work early next week so I can help by testing him and going over mark schemes.

Sorry Oddsocks to hear your news.

I don't think I see enough of the others in our house to fall out with them. Yesterday I went to see Sarah Milligan do an afternoon show then came home to find family staying over so we all sat in the garden til midnight. Tonight we're leaving DD to stew over past papers while we go to see Bill Bailey. I'm obviously a firm believer in comedy (& ) being a good stress reliever.

It is a bit too hot here and tree pollen isn't helping!
Oddsocks it must be a very difficult time for you and your family
I think DS is getting a fair amount done as he's most of the way through lots of maths practice and trying to keep the momentum going with physics.

Odd Hope all went well for you & your family. To summarise:

More joining us and adding to the debate. We now seem to have DC who are well prepared, cool, relatively calm & collected; DC who have suddenly realised that this is all happening now, not in a few months time; DC who still won't let us near them or their revision; and DC who are still laid back but possibly shouldn't be.

Mix of revision and other stuff going on this weekend. Wide spread relief that MFL speaking exams seem to be over. Those with iGCSEs are in the thick of it and the rest of us have a short lull before the storm hits on 14th.

Haven't seen a patio or pupdate from Sost but her DGD seems to be in the first category above. The split of study leave and no study leave whatsoever seems fairly even. Tassomai stills seems to be a hit with those who invested.

I was just wondering where Oddsocks was too...hope she (& DD) are OK...I think Sostenueto said she had some issues with internet access although I may be wrong.

DD did well this morning in a French exam paper the tutor set up for her gaining 75% - which is just on the grade A boundary ..I will be happy with a C come August given the rollercoaster ride we have had with French (Tutor said she had been fairly strict with the marking).

Computer Science still causing a slight headache but loads of time to work on the weak area's this week..doesn't help that DD is aware its the first exam and therefore this will set the confidence levels for the rest of the week...so difficult creating momentum when they feel so negative about a subject (and the mock was such a waste of time).

Is it just me, but this weather doesn't seem to be helping - feel like a bah humbug but DD and I both struggling with hayfever.

mmzz - i’m here -waving-

Sorry I have been AWOL. My FIL sadly passed away, been supporting DH. Funeral last week

DD insisted that she wanted to wear the same suit to the prom and funeral. Two stressful shopping trips later, one suit and one prom dress and prom high heeled shoes bought. DD is a tracksuit and trainers kind of girl so will see how that goes.

As usual have no idea how revision is going and this might not be right attitude but I’ve given up asking. One more week at school. Slightly panicked by talking to a friend last night who said her horizontal son got himself so stressed about exams he made himself sick on the mornings of the exams. I leave for work at 8:15 so DD will have to sort herself out if that happens

Can someone give me a summary of last few posts please?

AQA command words has just leapt to the top of Google searches!

No, sorry Kingscote. All new GCSEs here.

Rosie one of my jobs involves getting people through professional exams, where the key 8s to get first time passes rather than the equivalent of A*s. My mantra is to be consistently mediocre, showing you know a little bit about a lot of stuff. For your DS at this late stage I would be trying to cram in key things from the revision guides. Only get him to draw up his own cards if he remembers things that way, if not, use the key facts from the book. If you haven't got CGP books, get some now. He is likely to be able to wing a few point's on each paper just by reading through them.

DD has 2 chemistry papers and 2 maths papers to hand in on Tuesday, which were delayed from Friday because she was assertive and told both teachers that her real Spanish speaki g exam was more important. She desperately needs to get Eng Lit quotes on cards and learn more quotes for Islam & Christianity. I wish I could do something to help, but Little Miss Independence strikes again! At least she has said what she's doing now.