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Original poster

Going away for easter- final a level year

27 replies

Whatabanana · 07/10/2018 15:25

Is this okay? To go away on holiday for two weeks (Easter hols) when exams are in late May? If we have WiFi for most of it and can take books etc. Or is it very foolish??

OP posts:
Dancergirl · 07/10/2018 15:28

No way! What does your dc think?

NewIdeasToday · 07/10/2018 15:28

I wouldn’t have done it with my kids. It’s not really fair to take the family away (somewhere nice presumably) and then expect a 17/18 year old to work everyday, which is what they need to be doing at that point.

reallybadidea · 07/10/2018 15:29

I wouldn't (and haven't). I just think A levels are so important, why wouldn't you do everything you can to make sure that their revision environment is as good as it can be. A holiday, no matter how good your and their intentions are about revision, will be a distraction. And if they really do spend 6/7 hours a day over the books then what's the point of spending £££ to do it somewhere sunny. A friend took her dd away the Easter just before a levels - she missed her grades and ended up retaking. I'm sure that the holiday wasn't the only reason, but she says herself that it didn't help!

luckylavender · 07/10/2018 15:29

No way, not at all fair

LadyPenelope68 · 07/10/2018 15:30

No way, A levels are way more of a priority than a holiday at that late stage. You may finfcschool have some Holiday Revision sessions in school as well.

LIZS · 07/10/2018 15:30

We've done short breaks (and are planning to do so next year) before exams but would not go for more than a few days. Just long enough for downtime before the revision starts in earnest.

Original poster
Whatabanana · 07/10/2018 15:31

Oh dear, fairly conclusive. Not just to go somewhere sunny though, I come from a country far away and haven't been home for five years, so it would be to see family etc. Rats!

OP posts:
ThymeCake · 07/10/2018 15:32

No, not if you want your child to perform to the best of their abilities.

They probably won't enjoy the holiday if they do go - they'll either be revising while others have fun, or feeling stressed that they're not working.

Save it for the summer.

Fantastiqueangel · 07/10/2018 15:32

No. They never do enough work while away. Not fair on them or their teachers.

Original poster
Whatabanana · 07/10/2018 15:34

Would save it for summer but would then be a winter holiday unfortunately. Problems of emigrating.

OP posts:
averythinline · 07/10/2018 15:34

Can't you go after the exams? still be cheaper than usual holidays I wouldnt go before ...all the dc I know have really needed to either to access friends/school/tutors whatever - wouldnt have wanted to go....sorry

Original poster
Whatabanana · 07/10/2018 15:40

Thanks, have another child in secondary school though. Might have to pay double and go at Christmas some time.

OP posts:
bigbluebus · 07/10/2018 15:47

Having gone abroad for 5 days with DS in the May half term before AS level exams I'm afraid I wouldn't recommend it. He did very little studying whilst we were away and his results reflected that - and his Uni choices! Thankfully he redeemed himself with the actual A levels results although he did have to resit some modules to get his grades up - something which won't be an option for your DC.

pointythings · 07/10/2018 16:06

I think it really depends on your child. We did take DD1 away for a week over Easter the year of her GCSEs. She worked at least 3 hours every day and on 3 out of the 7 days she did 6 or more hours.

She also got to see family, get out into the sunshine, eat out in some nice places and had downtime that was different from just sitting and relaxing at home. She got excellent GCSEs. Brexit permitting I am planning to go again - DD1 will be working towards A levels, DD2 towards GCSEs. I have faith in their ability to be disciplined about combining study and relaxation. Ultimately you know your DD best so it's up to you.

PillowOfSociety · 07/10/2018 16:15

Not a chance.
Not for two whole weeks.
Not to somewhere where jet lag is an issue.

It is very hard to holiday around a revising child anyway. If you do whole day trips they miss out. Half day trips are not making the best of the holiday, friends and relatives don’t always ‘get it’, it’s pretty tough in the revising child.

Easter before A levels is the most important revision period in the whole of their school career.

Until Uni finals.

Original poster
Whatabanana · 07/10/2018 16:15

This one is my son- my lazy sonBlush. He didn't get the greatest grades last year because he didn't revise much. He says he plans to revise more this time but I'm waiting to see the evidence first! I might feel resentful if we don't go and he doesn't study either. Hmmm.

OP posts:
PillowOfSociety · 07/10/2018 16:24

So you won’t give him the opportunity to learn from his GCSE mistake?

Original poster
Whatabanana · 07/10/2018 16:27

Not his GCSEs, his first year of a levels. No we probably won't go, but I fear his procrastination habits will continue. Mind you I was the sameBlush

OP posts:
PillowOfSociety · 07/10/2018 16:33

You can use your righteous anger over ‘sacrificing our holiday’ to beat him into a revision schedule Grin

I do feel your pain. I am desperate to go away at Easter as our summer has been /will be messed up.

Original poster
Whatabanana · 07/10/2018 16:38

Yes hopefully the guilt will workGrin. I have just checked Christmas and the price triples so I am not sure when I can ever go againSad. My daughter has a few more years to go. It is very frustrating when a holiday plan goes up in smoke alright! (I will blame my age on not realising sooner.)

OP posts:
MsRinky · 07/10/2018 16:46

I won't be planning any travel outside the UK for April until I know how badly the government fucks up Brexit on the 29th March.

Original poster
Whatabanana · 07/10/2018 17:05

True!

OP posts:
pointythings · 07/10/2018 17:13

In OP's place I wouldn't be going anywhere either - it's different for different people. My DDs are conscientious to the point where I have to put the brakes on them or they will burn themselves out. That isn't a brag, it's just how they are and it's not easy, because 'making' them stop revising causes them stress too. You have to find a balance.

I'm also not booking anything for Easter until I know how bad the Brexit fuckup is going to be - and if we do go, it will be to Holland so no jet lag and family who absolutely do get it.

mygrandchildrenrock · 07/10/2018 17:17

My youngest DD has her A levels this year, one of which is German. We have deliberately planned a holiday in Germany during Easter. She has her speaking and listening assessment as soon as we come back. She has promised she will only speak German while we are away!

SecretlyChartreuse · 07/10/2018 17:30

If you do go, check and triple check the dates! Because all A Levels are now two years, there are so many papers and they start earlier and finish later than they ever have.