Year 12 - first half term DONE.

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

new thread so we don't get lost. Well done to all our dc whether doing btech (or breach as autocorrect prefers to call it) or a levels. 1/6 of the way through this year. (blimey)

Knittings bug does sound especially grim!

Welcome to Ursula

DS1 has less than three weeks of classes before study leave starts.

they only just started at college!!
Isn't this year romping away :(

This year is going far too quickly! Ds1 is worrying that he hasn't had as much time to revise over these holidays. He spent last week on a farm lambing and handling calves amongst over things and this week we have been on an under 17 driving week. He went from never having started a car on Monday morning to reaching 60mph on a straight today and he can reverse better than me!
He's had an amazing time so far, he drove several different vehicles today including a police car and fire engine which took his mind off the lack of revision for a while.
Two more days to go, and he has come so far already, I'm wondering how much more he will learn. I can definitely recommend it for siblings. There is a huge emphasis on fun but also the serious stuff like safety is a huge part of the course.

DD has her driving test tomorrow! My Baby girl. How can she be old enough to drive.

Wow, the driving week sounds brilliant. Wish I'd heard of it sooner. Dd turns 17 next month. She has her provisional, has booked her theory test and has been out practising on private land. She's desperate to just get on with it!
Most of her friends are at the test taking stage already.
Good Luck to Ursula's dd for tomorrow.
Hope all that have been poorly are feeling better.

Hello everyone, I feel so worried for my DD. She is studying A-Level Biology, Chemistry and Psychology she has Target grades of BBB and was always a high achiever in the past but her most recent Mocks were Biology - D Chemistry- U and Psychology - U. I just don't understand it. Her teachers say she is working well in class and is capable of achieving those grades if not higher. She does all her homework, is always in school every day, on time and she works hard in class. Where on earth is she going wrong? She says that they were given lots of application questions and she just applied it incorrectly. Please tell me this will be O.K. She has her AS exams in about 5 weeks.

Hi birdlover
Has she spoken to the teachers?
If she is confident in her understanding of the material, and if the problem is exam technique, maybe she could find past papers online and have a look at the mark schemes, in the hope of getting into the mindset of the examiners and understanding what they are looking for.

Nearly all of the girls in her classes got results like these for this most recent set of mocks. No-one achieved higher than a C. The teachers say they were tough Mock Papers and she is still on target for BBB or above. It is a good idea to make sure she does lots of past papers and looks at the mark schemes - I'm not sure she actually looks at mark schemes to be honest. She is a very independent learner.

Good luck to Ursulas Dd for tomorrow. The driving week has been amazing, break and avoid today. They took the cars to 50mph and did an emergency stop. Also controlled breaking and steering.
Ds1 borrowed a police car and drove at 70mph, he is slightly more confident now. He has managed to do a couple of hours of chemistry revision tonight so is feeling quite pleased with himself.
Birdlover, I would second persuading your dd to look at the mark scheme, ds1 finds it very helpful.

We got DS1's progress report from the last half term. Current grade levels B, C, D, which is really encouraging compared to last term's rather rocky start. Unfortunately the D is in the subject with the AS exam in 6 weeks. Attitude, effort and engagement are vastly improved though, which is great.

The driving course sounds great. We live in China so no driving lessons for DS as traffic is insane here and he would not pass the theory test as all in Chinese - although most foreigners just find a Chinese national to take the theory test for them.
DS has just 2 exams this year (German) and has already completed the oral so nowhere near as hectic as last year. He finishes school on 16th June so only about 7 weeks to go!! This year is just flying by.
Anyone else's son or daughter considering Chemistry at university?

Lost you for a bit while I finished my studying!

Lobster- wow , how did she get involved in that?

We've started looking at open days, going to be expensive I think! So far all cities but smaller ones, Durham, York, That sort of thing. Most need an overnight to do a days visit.

That's awesome TheSecond, I'm so glad he has found his feet.

Birdlover, Mark schemes are a great way to improve marks. Hopefully her teachers are able to pinpoint what exactly is happening.

You made me laugh Shanghai re the theory test, how do they get away with that?

Good luck Ursulas dd.

Kitten - Imagine the other person is their 'translator', but just answers all the questions for them. May also be some cash involved. Judging by the standard of driving here, I question how many Chinese nationals have actually passed the practical test!

Ooooh yes, I see scary!

I'm pretty sure that DS has spent more time on driving lessons than on revision this holiday. He signed up to another open day which I think makes four now so if he doesn't lift another finger he will have some choice.

Our local library service has a link to the DVSA Learning Zone so you can use your library card for free access to the theory tools including the hazard perception videos. If you would like to check your library service it was listed under "online services" on the LA library's website (together with the Encyclopaedia Brittanica and various dictionaries)

dd is back to college tomorrow after the Easter break.
We have had a letter from the college with mock results (which we already know) and a reminder about the importance of revision over Easter. Given that the college haven't told us (either dd or the parents) when her 2 AS exams actually are yet - this isn't particularly helpful.
At last dds provisional licence has arrived and she can start driving lessons!
She is annoyed about the General election timing as she is registered to vote but will be too young in June as her 18th birthday is in the Autumn!

catslife if she knows which board the AS is, she (or you) can find their exam dates from their website.

I have tried that thesecond but am still unsure. The website lists that there are several different exam dates for units 1, 2 or 3. I know the title of the unit but not the number if that makes sense.

Exam timetable situation not sorted. The reason dd hadn't been told the final arrangements is because there is an exam clash (2 different AS subjects at same day and time). The college have applied to the exam board for the shorter exam to be held in the afternoon and dd (plus another girl with the same problem) will be kept under supervision between the 2 exams.
dd feels OK about this.
Perhaps it's a good thing neither of us realised this before Easter!

Above post should read "exam timetable NOW sorted". Really wish MN had an edit post button.

I'm glad she has now been given the schedule.

DD has her first AS exam tomorrow, French oral. Will be glad for her when it's over.

Her birthday today, so she received driving lessons, but won't try and start them until after AS.

Raspberry - good luck for your dd's french oral today.