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Original poster

5 weeks of GCSE gloominess?

69 replies

CocktailRarebit · 16/05/2019 16:18

Its started off well, a bit of excitement for a couple of days, if only for the novelty Smile.

But last two days of DS16 returning from school - a misery festival of questions answered wrongly, revised the wrong things, yada yada yada.

I know I'm supposed to be the selfless cheerleader or mute adult listener therapist, but isn't it all a bit wearing? Plus whatever I say seems to annoy him more Confused.

Still 4 weeks of this to go Shock.

Any advice?

OP posts:
LadyRannaldini · 21/05/2019 21:52

Good luck to all your children starting the exam season.
Looking at the Maths questions posted last night it's obvious that the exams are much much harder for those seeking the highest levels, I did the old 'O' level and 'A' level then I subsequently taught up to 'A' level, I don't recall differentiation ever being on the GCSE syllabus.
If they come home worried about their performance tell them that it was the same for everyone and not to dwell on it. Everyone makes mistakes, even on exams I set I would always make some error on the mark scheme the first time round!

LynetteScavo · 21/05/2019 22:44

All I've got from DS so far is "ok" in response to anything.

Until today when; he "DOESN'T CARE" about geography. Apparently he answered some questions. And read the others.

I tried really hard not to point out DS1 got 100% in that exam a few years ago and did offer to help him with revision

Can't wait until it's all over.

freddiethegreat · 21/05/2019 22:56

I’m told, in a sensible sounding moment (they do happen), that Geography was a hard paper, but some of it was answerable & some of it was worth a calculated guess, so best shots were given. I am sure that if my boy in free fall can say that, sensible kids have done fine!

SachaStark · 21/05/2019 23:35

My favourite comment from my tutor group so far:

Me: How was the maths exam?

Student: TEN PAGES OF TRIANGLES, MISS.

Me: ... All right then.

Daily dance parties are still in effect!

Nat6999 · 21/05/2019 23:59

DS takes his this time next year, I'm dreading it more than he is.

GeorgiaTrotmansParachute · 22/05/2019 00:01

Currently going through this too. Tomorrow is the dreaded day, Mandarin and Physics, the two subjects DD finds hard going on the same day.

TapasForTwo · 22/05/2019 06:55

I feel your pain.

I always direct posters who post about wanting baby no 3, 4, 5 or more to threads like this. I can't imagine the stress of supporting several children through GCSEs.

PookieDo · 22/05/2019 06:59

My DD keeps telling me to be prepared for her to fail everything
She is very negative person anyway
She also gets upset over the most tiny things at the moment and then we have drama

NorthernBirdAtHeart · 22/05/2019 07:04

Yep we’re in the same boat.
Roll on June 14th!

Redcherries · 22/05/2019 07:05

Pookie, my dd is doing the same. I think the rate she believes she’s failed we’ll be able to do a daily fail sad face article about achieving the country’s worst results.

Foslady · 22/05/2019 07:43

Good to know that everyone of feeling the same about bloody physics! Primrose Kitten on YouTube has just been watched .......again!!!

Foslady · 22/05/2019 07:52

And to the Pp who asked about what plans for the summer? We have one week off (prom in that week) then 4 glorious weeks of NCS! To the people who critised it on previous threads I don’t care, it’s what dd needs - to have a month of her mind totally off any thoughts of exams and being away in a safe environment with her mates (and two weeks of bliss for me whilst she’s away Min - Fri!)

GeorgiaTrotmansParachute · 22/05/2019 11:23

DD is doing NCS too, haven't seen the thread criticising it? What's the beef?

Foslady · 22/05/2019 11:41

A thread was started complaining that it wasn’t great value for money from the taxpayers POV as it costs the government money to fund it........because as we all know there’s loads for teenagers to do in a long school holiday, especially things that after having fun whilst developing teamworking skills, negotiation skills, having time away from family working on personal development.........

steppemum · 22/05/2019 12:25

really wish ds had agreed to do NCS, but he was adamant that he was getting a job.
So we shall see!

Just smile and nod, and offer nice food.
I keep turning up with snacks and smiles in his room, and working really hard not to comment!

PookieDo · 22/05/2019 12:38

My DD dropped out of NCS! 🙄
She has a job already and I am pretty sure she will work a lot over the summer as she’s 17 in sept and wants to get driving

PookieDo · 22/05/2019 12:40

The first week I had screaming rows with DD - she was on the ceiling and it was horrendous, so rude and out of control
She has now calmed down (as have I) and much more even keel

In awful timing I was sent to a new job by my organisation which is miles from home and am well aware I am not being a very good parent right now because of work
Luckily I have a new job closer to home from June as I have to do this all again next year for DD2

Bluetrews25 · 22/05/2019 12:49

I recall not wanting to talk about the exams at all after sitting each paper. I'd been working up to the exams for years, revising hard, concentrating 100% for hours in the exam room. No energy left to give a commentary.
So please don't take lack of communication to heart.

My SIL is famed for her 'oh no that was awful, I got x,y,z wrong and have definitely failed' speech after Os, As, degree#1, degree#2, degree#3. She never failed anything. (Peter and the Wolf springs to mind)
Again, take comfort from this - we focus on our mistakes and disregard the 80% we did spot on.

Good luck with results. Things will work out, even if not as good as you'd hoped.
And then just look forward to AS, A levels and degrees..... Grin

steppemum · 22/05/2019 13:06

in 2 years time I will have A levels and GCSE on same year, that one will be fun, and then another 3 exam years in the following 5 years. (not including degrees here, they are away from home for those!)

My online shop this week included lots of tortilla chips and salsa, chocolate, and oranges (but he only eats those when I cut them up for him!) Revision food.

Plinney · 22/05/2019 13:25

Me: How was the maths exam?

Student: TEN PAGES OF TRIANGLES, MISS

Very funny :-).

IDontLikeZombies · 22/05/2019 13:32

It doesn't get any better. I'm 40 and have professional exams this week and I'm the same as the young ones at their GCSEs. I have absolutely no recall of any of the course, despite it being what I do. I don't know why I even started this, its a proper pile of shite and I'm crap at it. I'm going to chuck it all in and go and live in the wilds somewhere.

IDontLikeZombies · 22/05/2019 13:34

My poor wee mammy started coaxing me through exams 25 years ago, she's an unparalleled saint of a woman 😍

TapasForTwo · 22/05/2019 13:36

"in 2 years time I will have A levels and GCSE on same year, that one will be fun, and then another 3 exam years in the following 5 years. (not including degrees here, they are away from home for those!)"

Due to infertility I could only have one child, but reading this thread is making me feel thankful that I don't have to go through this again.

BreconBeBuggered · 22/05/2019 13:38

I accidentally discovered that about 95% of DS2's revision time has been taken up with practising how to nail those top grade maths questions. Which would be terrific if maths was all he had to pass, or even if he could overcome a tendency to rush through papers without showing workings or checking answers. So, we'll see. He seems not too stressed so far, relatively speaking, and no grumpier in the mornings than usual.

Plinney · 22/05/2019 13:52

yes, Brecon, my DS seems strangely obsessed with maths he's not even that good at it. I tend to think with Maths you can either do it or not after 2 years. Whereas other subjects you can learn more "facts". I do try to get him to spread his time evenly if he can, with slightly more focus on weak subjects.

When its over, I won't be offering this kind of guidance again, its a thankless task!