5th year homework/study

[tinaabbot]

I was expecting a bit of a culture shock going from transition year to 5th year, but I wasn’t expecting quite so much stress and tears in the first week.

Experienced mums, what is the norm for how much time is spent on homework and study and how on earth are they supposed to fit in sports and exercise and having some small bit of a life?

Following with interest - a lot of tears here too this week

It’s so hard isn’t @Glovenove🙁

I can't believe how bad it is - I think the school is trying to put the frighteners on them - worked a bit too well here 🙈

Transition year? I don't follow.

It’s the Irish school system. They do a junior certificate (like GCSES). Then they can have a transition year before sitting their leaving certificate (like A levels).

Ahh thank you. I had no idea. Judging by the age they would be, there's masses of homework.

I think it must depend on the school. Neither of mine had too much homework in 5th year, but probably could have done with more!

I am a big believer in the benefits of Transition Year, but the homework definitely falls off!
Hope your DC enjoyed TY 😊

My youngest did his LC this year, so no more school for me and I couldn't be happier!

I had a 5th year last year and the homework and study up to Christmas was enormous. She was in her room for 3-4-5 hours a night. It did calm down but they try to get a fast track on the curriculum so that 6th year is mostly revision.
I have another 5th year this year who is taking on an extra subject and has huge sport commitments. We’ll see how it goes.

after 2 days in school they are shattered.

My eldest just started 6th year. I experienced the same at start of 5th year. There is a massive disconnect between the junior cert and leaving cert. The leaving cert curriculum is huge in comparison and they have to hit the ground running in 5th year to cover it. I think the new senior cycle will eventually bridge the gap but at the moment they are like night and day which is tough for students.
I don't think TY is the fault my friends daughter went straight from 3rd to 5th year and was just as overwhelmed.

Thanks for sharing experiences, let’s hope this week is a bit less stressful.

my daughter is quite into her sports and I really don’t want it all being dropped as I know the benefits she gets from it, mentally as much as anything, so we will have to try help her balance everything and see how it goes.

Mine was the same! She wasn't too happy in Transition Year as she likes structure (it's compulsory in her school) but she is worried about fitting everything in. I do think the teachers were particularly scary about it last week.
Several of her teachers stressed the importance of exercise however, so I hope she listens to that. She doesn't play sports but she dances and goes to gym. The big issue will be giving up her weekends to study! She is used to relaxation...

It’s been calmer so far this week here, I think a lot of it was the teachers scaring them!

@TomBaileysFlyingGoggles, my daughter enjoyed TY way too much, she had a great year, but it’s possibly made the transition harder.

To be honest, I really don’t think they should be getting homework on a Friday that is due on Monday. They need some down time or they will burn out. The corporate world is all about work, life balance and even the US peeps don’t work the weekend generally. Teenagers shouldn’t either.
(rant over)

Based on my experience. I do think they have to give at least one day at weekend to study/homework. Now not all day but a few hours. Also starts a habit for the 2 years.
They try to do most of the curriculum in 5th year so leaving a lot of 6th year to revise.
Mine did /will do evening study in school Monday to Thursday and either Saturday or Sunday at home for a few hours. And will have plenty of time for sport /socialise

That sounds like a good way to start. I always encouraged her to do weekend homework on Friday afternoon (she gets a half day) or Saturday morning. I go out walking most Saturdays at 8am, I might suggest she gets up and gets it done while she has whole house to herself. Then she can have Sunday to herself