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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask year ten daughter to revise during half term.

178 replies

examstresshelp · 27/05/2021 18:27

And if it's reasonable, how much per day/altogether?

I don't want to be too pushy, but their school is low key where other local schools help with timetables and advice and I think she should be doing at least some during the holiday so she doesn't panic afterwards.

I certainly did in year ten.

OP posts:
SheilaWilcox · 27/05/2021 19:30

@examstresshelp

I may or may not have been normal, but for gcse I did 6-8 hours a day Christmas and Easter and in year 10, a full half term holiday.
That's excessive and maybe your parents / you have issues over attitudes to schooling.

Definitely remind her that fitting in some revision over half term would be sensible. Help her plan if she needs is. Offer to time her if she finds that helps.

Keeping healthy, both mentally and physically, will help her fitness for exams, so a bit of exercise, plenty of water, nutricious food and some half term fun.
Kids have certainly had a rough 18months and schools will be aware that extra support is needed.

WildWaterSwimmer · 27/05/2021 19:30

@ChocOrange1

I wouldn't be taking advice from anyone who says "the brain is a muscle" or can't read enough to comprehend the difference between age 10 and year 10.
I think most people will know that 'the brain is like a muscle' is a well known saying and sentiment!!
Pieceofpurplesky · 27/05/2021 19:31

I am a secondary English teacher - no way am I asking my Year 10s to do 4/6 hours a day. Crazy.

MacCoffee · 27/05/2021 19:31

@LynetteScavo 100% agree. I’ve never seen a year like it with anxiety and stress through the roof. Children presenting with so many forms of anxiety related disorders. It’s an epidemic in itself. Current Y10’s especially need the pressure to come off. They’ve probably been affected the most yet will have to revert back to normal in Y11 as if nothing happened. Thank god my school doesn’t run this way.

Lulu1919 · 27/05/2021 19:34

Mine revised
They made a timetable
Usually three hours....min
But a day off in middle of the half term week
Something nice each day to look forward to
Left them to it...they were quite focussed ...I just provided nice food and drinks and help when asked

Lulu1919 · 27/05/2021 19:35

@georgarina

I'd say let her relax. She's 10 and she'll do better if she's had a good rest and had fun and taken her mind off it. Then she can revise again once she gets back.
She's Year 10
onemouseplace · 27/05/2021 19:38

Half term was always at least partially dedicated to revision for end of year exams from Y7 onwards when I was at secondary. I’ve already mentally discounted any May half term holidays from when DD starts next year.

Looubylou · 27/05/2021 19:41

If she's an organised and
motivated student normally, I would leave it up to her. 30 minutes self initiated study a day is better than 3 hours reluctant. Ask if she has plans to work, it might prompt her into action, but I wouldn't push it.

TippityTapTap · 27/05/2021 19:45

I hadn't realised that there was an expectation to revise during the half term. Do all schools do exams at the end of Y10? Are they normally on everything they have done in the year?

Maireas · 27/05/2021 19:59

My yr10s are expected to revise over half term. Not for hours at a time, and not every day. However, if they revise now and do well in these exams it will cut down work and stress in yr11.

Original poster
examstresshelp · 27/05/2021 20:00

@TippityTapTap it's fairly usual to have some kind of end of year assessments. Some schools call them exams from year seven and expect students to have a revision timetable. Others don't mention it much.

OP posts:
Maireas · 27/05/2021 20:01

@TippityTapTap

I hadn't realised that there was an expectation to revise during the half term. Do all schools do exams at the end of Y10? Are they normally on everything they have done in the year?
Yes, and yes. That is usual. It's preparation for yr11. We set it up in the hall, so they get used to it for the actual GCSEs.
Triphazard101 · 27/05/2021 20:04

My DD is also year 10 and is planning herself how to get art pieces/revision and homework done around more fun stuff.

Nightbear · 27/05/2021 20:04

’for gcse I did 6-8 hours a day Christmas and Easter’

Shock Seriously? You revised over Christmas?

Original poster
examstresshelp · 27/05/2021 20:09

@Nightbear mocks were in January

OP posts:
Nightbear · 27/05/2021 20:11

Yes, but they were mocks! I don’t think I revised for 6-8 hours a day for A Levels!

Hughbert · 27/05/2021 20:13

Dd is in y10. This half term, my hope and expectation is that she will get some sleep, have some fun and chill out. She gets shitloads of homework normally and I certainly will not be making her work her arse off in her holidays too. It's my job to think about the whole child, not just the academic side - if teachers think she needs to do more in school terms they can enforce that then.

Original poster
examstresshelp · 27/05/2021 20:13

I may have had an example set by my doctor father who wasn't hugely academic so had to study hard. But it is didn't seem vastly unusual, really. Although I remember finding it surprising when the bbc revision advice came in may-felt a bit late!

OP posts:
Airyfairymarybeary · 27/05/2021 20:13

No. Children need a proper break!

hedgehogger1 · 27/05/2021 20:13

I think the time would be better spent with her learning HOW to revise. Most kids don't listen when their teachers tell them how to do it properly. I recommend ondemand.tutor2u.net/students/effective-revision-skills-booster

Nightbear · 27/05/2021 20:20

I think expecting her to do some revision along with any homework she has is totally reasonable. I’d expect more like 5-10 hours of revision in total, over the whole week.

Original poster
examstresshelp · 27/05/2021 20:20

@hedgehogger1 that much I have done! We work through questions together for the smaller tests, she is great at making notes and revision cards and all that jazz.

OP posts:
StrawberryLipstickStateOfMind · 27/05/2021 20:22

Jesus I can't believe some of the replies on here.

6-8 hours a day over half term? Even three sounds absolutely mental. Tbh I don't remember my mum ever checking whether I did homework or revised, all throughout secondary school. She didn't make me feel under pressure which I imagine helped a lot.

I used to do homework as quickly as possible and I don't think I spent much time revising. A couple of hours here and there maybe? I remember cramming with my friends down the park ahead of exams.

I did pretty well in my exams and have gone on to do fine since, I have a good job that I'm really happy in.

Stop piling the pressure on, no wonder teenagers are struggling more than ever.

Original poster
examstresshelp · 27/05/2021 20:23

@Nightbear I think so. I reckon it'll be heading towards that much. I am persona non gratis this evening for even suggesting it. Thing is, 10-15 hours in the week leaves whole days off and near days off.

OP posts:
Nightbear · 27/05/2021 20:25

I went to a selective grammar and the school put a lot of pressure on us about grades and they still didn’t expect those kind of revision hours.