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?

Well DD went to work she’s come back with a sore throat and saying she finds it hard to breathe and she’s coughing everywhere...
Although I’d rather her have illness now then later

Just in case anyone is lurking and thinking that this thread isn't for them because their DC isn't going to Uni, can I say a big HELLO from a regular poster here whose DD isn't going to Uni.

An update for the other regulars who know some of the problems she's had in the past - so far she has completed 4 units out of 6 for 2 of her BTECs - all Distinctions, and for the 3rd subject she has a Distinction in the one unit finished out of 3. Please keep any spare fingers crossed that we continue on this path, and I promise to cross all my fingers and toes for all of you in August!

That's excellent news chocolateworshipper

She's doing brilliantly chocolate - wow! I hope she manages to keep that up.

Chocolate I feel this thread is not just about university applicants' parents, but for all of us getting through this year whether our kids are training, doing BTECs (ds is doing one, but a subsidiary) or A levels. It's a year when they learn a lot about what they want to do next or have ideas about the next step, but it can be so hard for us to know where they are going. Your dd sounds like she is on top of things, in a way that my ds certainly isn't [wry] It also gives me hope that he too, will find his way (eventually)

We have had a depressing day on the ds1 front. He didn't get out of bed until 4, went to McDonalds, is sitting in his room surrounded by juice cartons etc, on the computer playing some random game. I think getting ill has sunk him into stupor/fear of trying to catch up. Hope that tomorrow he will have a glimmer of self confidence again. It is so hard when they sink into a morass and won't be encouraged out.

Ds2 has ASD and is so different. He chooses to do things that make him happy (like take trips to watch his favourite football team), whereas ds1 seems locked in a very vicious circle.

To cap it all we have next door neighbour practising Chopin..she has worked very hard over last two years to improve her playing seemingly untutored. I wish I could just lock ds in the room with the piano and say Try it! Its wonderful! You can do it!

nettles I completely agree and I have absolutely no problem that most posts are about university at the moment - because people are getting offers and waiting for offers. Everyone on here is so supportive - regardless of whether our DC are following the same path. They've propped me up more than once when I've needed some kind words. I only flag this up every now and again so we don't lose anyone who's lurking and not sure if they're welcome.

I'm sorry to hear that DS1 is going through a bad patch. I know what it's like trying to support a DC who is on a destructive path. We went through absolute hell with DD a while back and it took all of our strength to support her through GCSEs - she was pleasantly surprised to get 7, but oh my goodness I was very close to having a breakdown after pushing (carrying) her through that time. She's more stable now, but even now my heart almost stops when I have a missed call from her if I wasn't expecting a call from her. All I can say is, make sure you're getting some kind of support for yourself, because you can't continue to support a DC without support for yourself (not without it impacting your own mental health). I hope your DS finds his way before too long. It's hard at the time, but I do think they learn things from the difficult times which will form part of their character later on. DD has been able to support others who are going through similar things to what she has been through. I think I've rambled a bit - it's hard to remember those times to be honest. to you

Chocolate that's brilliant to hear! Well Done to your DD, it sounds like she's doing fantastically!

DD has had a sobering moment or 2 this week with mock results.
Not completely unexpected, but definitely a timely reminder that she has a lot of hard work still to do and things aren't quite "in the bag" just yet.

Just to add Chocolate, my DD isn't applying to Uni (at least this year). She is continuing with College which is a big thing for her, and actually doing okay in tests despite missing a lot of College. She is also talking about planning her "gap year" and wants to try to schedule in some Work Experience (as opposed to just having a job). There is also an apprenticeship fair coming up.

Thank you all for your kind comments. I am so grateful that she chose BTECs because she honestly wouldn't be doing so well if she was doing A levels. She's prone to high levels of anxiety, and very bad things happen if she gets over-anxious. She isn't too focused on what comes yet next, other than she will probably do an apprenticeship in something, but I'm not worried. She has a part time job and if she can continue on the current path with her courses, she'll have enough options open to her and I can stop worrying quite so much!

Bekabeech sorry to hear that your DD has had a hard time. It sounds like doing okay in tests is a great achievement for her. It's hard watching them struggle isn't it? Did you know that it is possible to do a degree apprenticeship by the way? DH's employer do them - they pay all university fees, pay the student a salary and give them an allowance for books etc.

Very best of luck to everyone with DCs doing mocks and waiting for mock results.

There is a different path for each individual. What might be right for some isn't for others. Our DC's happiness and wellbeing is of utmost importance regardless of what they end up doing.

I like the fact that this thread is so supportive to all.

I'm still here representing the B/C grade non-Russell-group-uni-application contingent. I think there's a couple more of us too.

DS1's mocks start in 1 week. He has spent the weekend at work (part-time job) at a party, sleeping and watching Netflix.

well, ds has got out bed for lunch, and started working at his desk, thank you everyone for sending good vibes down the internet I reminded him yet again that he doesn't have to go uni this year, there are lots of brilliant alternatives if the A levels don't go well, but that if he DOES have his heart set on uni this Sept, there is just one route to that...get through his Music A level at the highest grade he is capable of, which means!! WORK.

chocolate
That’s excellent she’s doing so well in her btecs
Beka
One of dds friends is doing the same for mental health reasons she plans to do volunteer work in Africa

Dd has been in bed all day asleep hasn’t moved she’s going hot then cold sneezing aching body chesty cough...
Flu has gone round boarding house and I think she’s caught it. It is not like her to not even move for toast...

chocolate your dd sounds like she's doing brilliantly. Btecs are not an easy option, you've got to work just as hard as doing a levels.

MsAD I completely agree - I think she is a good example of why it's important for them to choose what's right for them. She's fine with working hard on coursework, but wouldn't handle the pressure of exams.

Fantasy - best wishes for a speedy recovery to your DD

Second part-time job, that brilliant too. I really want dd to do some part time work next year, even if it is just babysitting, I can feel how easily the rot sets in otherwise, and the entitlement bit. I suspect at parties they do quite a bit of telepathic revision - sharing sophisticated thoughts on various subjects no doubt

Ds1 has just been telling us the plot of The Good Place (which has Ted Danson from Cheers) seems to be a satire about Heaven. He also brandished some flashcards in clear plastic folder at us.

Does anyone know anything about Tall Ships? I know there is a website, but I wondered if anyone's child has been on one, or intends to go on a voyage this summer or afterwards - sort of iniative building?

Two friends of dds did the Tall Ships Challenge last summer.

And was it worth it? were they sailors before they set out? I think I know the answer to that, ds needs to do a sailing course before...

I'll find out.

I've just googled and no experience necessary. Am going to suggest it to DS1. Seems quite short too, so cannot really go wrong.

Just seen this on another thread in FE, and thought I'd copy and paste in case it affects anyone:

In case anyone has not spotted this, anyone applying to do Maths at Cambridge in 2019 (so probably current year 12) will need a full A-level in Further Maths. There will also be changes to the STEP spec to reflect the changes in A-levels.
www.magd.cam.ac.uk/mathematics-and-mathematics-with-physics/

I'm very impressed chocolate, DS1 would be utterly rubbish at a higher level BTEC, coursework is his nemesis, you need a special skill set to be able to keep up with it all. He is very lucky that he's got a relatively good memory for exams because he's pretty rubbish at revising too.

The good Life is wonderful nettle, the plot twist at the end of the first season was superb. I've seen the tall ships as well, known a couple of people who have voyaged on them. Sounds like an absolutely amazing experience. Wish I'd tried it when I was a little lot younger.

DS has a very expensive hobby and I don't have much money so he has a part time job, baby sits and house sits pets so he can indulge his hobby.

DS's friend did the Tall Ships challenge last year. He had no sailing experience - a bit of kayaking with his Dad but nothing more than that.

I

Dd1 is planning interrsiling with some friends. They aren’t particularly motivated friends so I’m not sure it’ll come off.

Relieved to hear from other posters whose dcs arent applying to uni. The passing of the deadline for applications has made this more significant now.
Would be in your camp otherwise thesecond.
The pizza and cinema to see Star Wars worked out well.
The weekend was tragically ruined by the untimely death of our dog only 3 years old who ran out into the road into the path of a car. He was killed instantly. We are still shocked.
I need to email dds college tutor now before getting ready for work. Would normally be out walking dog now and feel a bit lost.