Christmas half term - Year 13 (another original thread title!)

[OhYouBadBadKitten]

Carrying on from previous thread

I'm so rubbish with thread titles. Anyway...

This time last year there was lots of chat about tests/exams/mocks at this point. Are there fewer of them, or is everyone more chilled about them?

nettle
It was st Mary’s that said only 2B’s

Dd is very worried for English though and nothing seems to be lifting her spirits I checked the alevel results and for English 6 people got B’s and 5 C’s and 2 E’s but dd knows the people who got E’s and they did no work
She is concerned whether she may need some tutoring or something

Can she speak to her teacher about that Fantasy? Would they give her some additional teaching if she asked for it?

Fantasy just talking in a general way about offers (which I why I mentioned Westminster) I think it sounds interesting that St Mary's are homing in in that way, they obviously want academic students but are prepared for them to "specialise" ifysim (there is a lot of teacher training there, and students who commute from home or is that just my friends' kids?), whereas I suspect the other offers really are just c-generated and might change on results day downwards if you firmed/insured!

One of ds1's friends just got a job, he has given up A levels. It's been quite illuminating to see that actually getting a job and abandoning the uni path is not the end of the world, just a stage; who knows for this fellow getting a job might be the best possible training for working out what he wants to study/why he wants to study. I hope ds learns from it, that you are only doing A levels because you actually CHOOSE to study something not because the government makes you.

Ds1's school are doing extra classes for the lower achieving students in English (presumably same for all subjects), after school one day a week. Ds1 had tutoring privately in Year 12, and the tutor focussed on technique for writing exam questions. Unfortunately ds didn't actually have any info to pad out his answers so the technique side fell flat on its face, he had the bones but no flesh - it was difficult to explain this to the tutor without interfering, so in the end I decided not waste any more money..it wasn't really money wasted exactly but ds wasn't really using the time constructively although he thought he was working really hard, going to and fro the tutor's house and writing practice exam questions out under timed conditions. I think if you have a tutor you have to know exactly what you want them to work on, preferably a small area...like how to I raise this essay from B to A or C to B.

Hi
I generally lurk and don’t post but am absolutely bursting with relief and happiness as DD has her 1st offer for veterinary Medicine . The last few weeks have been difficult as she has been stressed and tense regarding her lack of offers, but she is smiling now..

:) madnskint. You must be very proud and relieved!

nettleskins
That’s useful to know they may change on the day of results
A lot of people have told dd st Mary’s is mainly aimed at teaching
In regards to tutoring it is mainly how do I get this essay from a A-B as the grade boundaries for OCR are very high but the school did it to look more ‘prestigious’
Congratulations mad

Hi madnskint, I've mostly been a lurker as I wasn't 100% DS would apply and just liked hanging around watching everyone else. Now we've taken the plunge I'm getting under everyone's feet and asking stupid questions . Congratulations to your DD, it must have felt like a long wait, she must be over the moon.

And in my pain in the bum way less that a week after actually applying DS has had an offer from his third and final university, 120 points which is possible but as it's not his first choice there's no point putting it on his acceptance really is there? Be a nightmare to do better than you were expecting and not be able to go to on the one course that actually made you want to apply to uni in the first place. We are a good example of 'aim low and all your dreams will come true'! When I worry about him going to uni it's not just because I will miss him like mad but because he still spins (ASD) out from time to time and if he's far from home it's going to be tough for him. He will cope a lot better if he can just drive home and be in familiar routines/places frequently. Been advised to get him a place in halls but let him live at home if he wants to then he can part time himself into the new world of uni. He's not good at all with people who don't follow the rules which is basically the point of the first year isn't it?

Well done madnskint. Ds1 is still waiting...

Fantasy from friend who works in clearing they frequently drop grades on results day. I think less people are applying now so there are a lot more spaces left over than there have been in the past.

madnskint congrats! Vet is a tough course to get into isn’t it, a know someone who took three attempts.

Thank you everyone. I’m positive your DS will hear soon liftledrummergirl he sounds amazing. Vet is difficult as the wait is so long and offers are made in dtibs and drabs which makes all applicants and parents twitchy and worried.

Found you all! Lost you there for a bit and couldn't find you for ages!

Congratulations to all those who have had offers since I was last around.

MrSlant Mt DS is ASD as well, and I'm worried how he'll manage in halls, but as his brother and I apparently cause most of the problems for him I'm hoping he'll be fine. Quick question for your friend in clearing...would it be better to put a firm choice and hope for a grade drop on results day than to put an insurance choice that is unconditional?

Madskint that is wonderful news about the Vet school offer.

Ds1 is back from school..he set off this morning and felt so ill by the time he had walked to the tube (sore throat and hot and cold)that he has come home. Thank goodness I didn't drive him, once he gets into school it is very difficult to get out again and I think he would have just sat there feeling vile all day and coughing over everyone else..

His bedroom is now such a pigsty that he has decamped to front room and is lying on the sofa in his school suit. I need to tidy and disinfect his room.

mrslant
That’s good to know... she got a B in one of her English mocks but the rest of them just seem to be D/E.. her coursework is an E and she feels deflated.

It seems to be hard to motivate her in this time after mocks I keep telling her that her dream of London is not far away

I was looking at accommodation last night. DS would be allocated one of two accommodation blocks, one is a 6 minute walk, ensuite and a 3/4 bed, the other is a 34 minute walk, ensuite, single bed and a gym. I suspect I know which one he'd pick.

Anyone going to Liverpool for the Offer Holder Day on 27th January? I can't decide whether to send DD on her own or make DH go with her. (it is too much walking for me).

What subject has your DD applied for Fantasy?

Fantasy Is she allowed to show your her coursework or change any of it, or is that it? Ds1 was allowed to give in a first draft and then they could give general recommendations. Although it was worse after they suggested changes, as the changes were so (legally) generic as to turn it into reams of waffle. I think in the end I told him to go back to the books, READ THEM carefully, and just find some actual examples of what he was discussing, and give his own fresh view on the texts. I couldn't intervene beyond reminding him that he needed evidence for every one of his assertions.

Congratulations to those to have received offers this week!
fantasy given that your dd has had health issues that may affect her coursework/overall grades have you asked about applying for Special consideration? It's only really helpful for borderline candidates but could apply. Given that coursework for English is only 20% of the mark, I wouldn't be too concerned. My advice for some of your dds uni offers would be to check which ones had places in Clearing for her subject last year.
knitting I think I can guess your ds preference. When I was at uni the ones closest usually filled up first and were cheaper than those further away!
dds deadline for the Art coursework has been extended because the teacher is off sick! The coursework is 50% of the final mark so it's significant. There is going to be a public exhibition of the work of the whole department. Art exams are spread over several days and take place before the May half term so this subject will be completed relatively early.

I think there is an error in my above post kitten as I was interrupted whilst writing. The further away halls were cheaper for catered. Most of the closer ones were self catering.

I mean knitting of course - it's been a long week.
I have completed my tax return today though, so pizza and cinema tonight to celebrate!

icould
Accommodation fees for dd are scary I’m scared for her
nettle
There’s a lot of feedback according to the feedback her analysis isn’t a problem but then why wasn’t she in a higher hand for analysis? It’s really confusing as he told her she was on course for top band and then she gets that mark he’s one of those teachers that says different things every time
cats
Can’t have special consideration as she hasn’t been ‘extreme ill’ in the schools opinion she’s applying for politics. How do you go about seeing last years clearing places?

Madskint you are so right. Twitchy is a good way to describe me.
Ds1 is staying away from social media at the moment. He is tense but calm and seems particularly happy about life in general.

It's really good to hear that offers are going out though. Your Dd (and you)must be thrilled, I'm so pleased for you.

Dr- I hope it doesn't take that long, not sure I will cope with the strain!

It seems weird to be talking about accommodation, somehow that makes it more real!

Ursula, we are going to Liverpool. Dd and I have a Premier Inn booked.

We are only an hour away. What subject janie ?