To think DS needs to revise on holiday?

[JustinAndrew]

We go away in a few days (to Spain) and most of it will be spent relaxing. Exams are pretty much on his doorstep as soon as he is back. AIBU to think he should be doing some revision while on holiday?

[Funnyfarmer]

My dd is doing her GCSE' s in June and has had to go in to school quite a bit over the Easter holidays for revision lessons. And that's during school holidays and is still expected to revise and even attend school. Will the holiday be during school term time? If so absolutely he should be revising . A lot!

[HeddaGarbled]

Here's an idea. He does 2 hours of revision a day BUT so does everyone else. So other children do homework, you and your H help with the revision e.g. reading up yourselves and then take it in turns to test him.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

lol Crumbs, I thought you were out at sea going between greek islands or something!

[portico]

My OH and kids have gone abroad for Easter. They are in lower secondary. That being said it only gives me 5 weeks to prepare them for EOY exams. Exams in first week of a June. Will never let this happen again.😡

[LoveForTulips]

Yes! If he wants to pass, he has to put the effort in!
I'm a 'mature' student (i'm in my twenties...) and i went on holiday before my final exams. I got back off holiday 3 days before the exam date. (I should add - the final exam date changed, it was before my holiday and was deferred for a month!)
I mixed the holiday with revision and extreeeeme relaxation!
A bit of both will do him good.

Best of luck to him!!

[FunnysInLaJardin]

I went away a few weeks before my solicitors finals and deliberately didn't do any revision while away. I had done quite a lot before I went though.

Provided he has a few weeks when he gets back before his first exam then the break will no doubt do him good.

[MargaretCavendish]

I remember going on holiday just before my GCSEs (quite a long time ago now!) and, contrary to most of the posts here, it worked really well - I got up and had a swim and leisurely breakfast each morning, worked hard from maybe 11-3 (the point of the day where it was a bit hot to be outside anyway) and then went for another swim/to the beach/into town for the afternoon. I remember it fondly! I think it relies heavily on the reviser being quite motivated (I was so anxious about exams that a distraction was good) and the rest of the family being kind and thoughtful about it - making a bit of a fuss of the reviser (bringing them cold drinks, etc.) and trying to minimise their missing out without ruining their own holidays.

[MickeyRooney]

I would not entertain a holiday at this critical time.

[UppityHumpty]

It's irresponsible taking a holiday this close to exams tbh.

[Wolfiefan]

Have I missed something? Has OP said this is a GCSE or A level student?

[ProseccoBitch]

Poor kid. Either don't go on holiday or go and don't make him revise while you're away.

[skerrywind]

I think it's crazy taking him away to relax at such a crucial time.

My DDs school runs study clubs during the Easter break, teachers run daily tutorials and drop in revision days, they give up their time to help students who are finding certain aspects of the course challenging and run general revision topics.
My DD has been in most days to school during the break ( her motivation not mine) and has welcomed the support.

[TeenAndTween]

I think it depends on
a) how long the holiday is
b) whether his revision timetable was made planning not to revise while you were away

When DD1 did GCSEs we went away for 4 or 5 days over Easter. This was a planned break to relax and recharge before the final onslaught.

But we wouldn't have done a 10 day last-minute holiday messing up the schedule (or done a holiday if revision hadn't be planned and plan being followed).

[chocatoo]

We are not away over Easter or May half term as DD has GCSEs...she is working hard (her choice). Most days all day and some days meeting friends for a little while to break it up a bit. Today she is in school for revision classes. Of course your son should be revising if he has gcses or A levels!! Probably not so critical if just end year exams...

[Phantommagic]

My heart sinks when my pupils, usually the ones who can least afford not to do some revision at last, tell me they are going away over Easter. So, yes, revision needed if proper exams are looming.

[BurntBum]

It entirely depends which exams they are. DD is in year 6 and has been given lots of homework for her SATS and been told they have to do some every day. We go away next week and if DD wants to take her work she can but I'm quite happy if she doesn't. It would be different if it was important exams.

[Huldra]

He should do some. I would try and structure it, so couple of hours after breakfast, a few hours in the sun, then a couple more before dinner. Do you have an e reader to download set English texts? They can be read on the sun lounger.

If you're in a hotel I would try and be out when he's revising, it could also help him focus if he knows you'll be back at 11am to collect him.

We've managed to book a holiday with extended family over May half term We agreed 2 years ago without thinking it through properly. I'm mulling it over but will probably stay behind with him, or take him for a long weekend.

[Tinkerbec]

If he is in y11 or y13 than yes.

Does he not have to be in school over Easter for revision sessions? Every little helps in the National competition that is exams.

[JustinAndreww]

Hi! I'm the OP, something went a bit weird with my account so have emailed them to fix it but I'll use this for now.

It's his as levels but it's a retake year so very important. I love how people are having a go for me going away. He is 18. My other child is 21 and at uni and has got time off. I'd have said they're at the ages now where they can decide.

He is deciding to not do revision and has said he has planned revision around the trip away (7 days) his first exam is in May. But surely the extra 7 days would still help...

[Emphasise]

Well, l think that if he's old enough to decide about the holiday, he's old enough to decide what revision he needs to do. Still don't think I'd have booked the holiday though and not sure what relevance his older brother's time off has in that regard tbh, it's a rubbish time to go away. I've got time off over Easter, it would have been nice to go away, but we aren't.

[waterrat]

Why dont you suggest he does 2 hours a day. Do it early then relax

[Unihorn]

I would never have revised​ on holiday when I was a teenager, I'm amazed that everyone has children that have!

[Phantommagic]

This is why judging teachers on pupil results can be so contentious. We just can't control things like this. So, yes, he's technically an adult, but it's frustrating. Anyway, that's a wider issue, not for the OP, but he needs to revise definitely.

[kmc1111]

I don't really understand the problem. You can revise anywhere, and a holiday is ideal. You have a nice space to revise and no distractions like friends, and when you're done for the day you have fun holiday relaxation to look forward to, so there's a good reason not to waste the day procrastinating.

At 17 my DC would go off somewhere nice specifically to revise and relax, a habit they kept up through uni.

[Phantommagic]

Lots, probably most won't in my experience though. Needs a lot of discipline.