Y13 Summer term: Finishing Lessons, Starting Exams and leaving Sixth Form

[catslife]

So our dcs are now on the last term of sixth form, finishing off lessons and starting their exams.
How did that happen - doesn't seem that long ago since they started Y12.
This is the thread where we support each other as our dcs revise and start their exams, finish off coursework, leave sixth form and make plans for what to do with the rest of their lives. This may involve going to uni or other alternatives.
Every Y13 parent is welcome to join in whether new to these threads or if you have been with us for a while - the more the merrier.

Returning to you for the home stretch.
Dd1 hasn’t started her written exams yet, 2x speaking down but rest start next week.

dd is having a late lunch after having woken up to "salute the sun" at 5:00 am, only problem being the sun rose at 4;00 am and it was foggy.
she has decided to dedicate today to getting physics revision done, then making flash cards for her pre exam revision

I have no idea what ds is concentrating on. Radio silence from that quarter! Animated convos about all sorts of tv programmes continue. today I found an exercise book titled English Literature inside were two pages of Arthur Miller ideas [must have been the illfated coursework prep], followed by several pages of lists of Walking Dead characters and which episodes they appear in. He likes making Lists, just the wrong sort.

For lunch I made an assortment of delicious healthy proteiny salads and as an afterthought some M & S onion rings which needed to be used up, ds ate an entire packet of battered baked onion rings a slice of homemade black cherry cake and no salad at all..

nettles it's from Twelfth Night

lobster I'm going to be honest - it's not something that I've ever had to use in my career

Welcome Lilac :)

dd commented that this week is the worst half term holiday in the school year. Being stuck at home revising is pants really. So I looked up when next years exams are if she makes her firm. First week in June.

argh!!!!!

DD is now of the opinion that she is woefully unprepared. She doubts she will make her first choice and doesn't want to go to her insurance so is thinking if Plan B.

Just bloody revise is my advice.

And I haven't mentioned all those times when I suggested she worked instead of going out.

May I join you?

DS spent the weekend —wasting the lovely sunshine— holed up in his room doing past papers. He seems jolly enough, although I too worry about vitamin d levels, and just getting him away from his books would be a bonus.

The exams stretch over such a long period as well. First one was 24 May and last one isn’t until 25 June.

DD spent yesterday afternoon revising in the garden. Today was spent in her bedroom and the conservatory. We all went out for a couple of hours early evening, then she was busy making notes straight after tea for an hour or so. Her exams last over a 3 week period. First one next Monday, and the last one on 20th June.

dd exams strech from 14th of may to 25th of june, after this holiday it's one almost every other day! yuck!

I agree OYBK. We have had four years of this. They did a couple of GCSEs in year 10 at DD's school and AS levels in year 12.

vitamin d supplements are a good way to boost the levels! I give ds1 a Healthaid 10,000 iu supplement every two weeks, just in case, probably I should give it once a week, but surely better than nothing. You cannot overdose on that, as it is barely 500 iu a day over two weeks (or is my Maths wrong

Ursula She certainly doesn't have to go to her insurance (I think you said the second uni in the same city as her firm?) if she doesn't want to, I think you can ask them to release you either on Results day or before?????. She won't be the first to feel this way and no uni wants to take someone who isn't committed, as the applicant will probably drop out along the way half way into term (which doesn't look good on their stats)

Is there a course at her firm that offers a lower grade in the published literature, maybe a joint honours? that can be a solution to have a back of her mind, and I've known people do that that didn't want to take their insurance (ie: stay with their firm but change the course before going)

I'm feeling the same though, just bloody revise!!! We've been out this evening to dinner and come home to the surreal sight of ds1 watching King Lear on telly rather than playing Fortnight.

Yes same city. But she clearly has inner snob.

Feel like I'm clinging on by my fingernails at the moment.

Dd had 3 exams over the last 2 weeks, next one is next Wednesday, then she has 8 more spread pretty evenly until the last one on June 22nd.
History are first, and also have the highest workload in terms of material to learn, so that will definitely take priority this week.

For those unwilling to revise, we're they similar in the run up to GCSEs? I think it's definitely getting started which is the hardest part.

its fair enough. Not especially snobby, just determined. Let her rant. She'll come to some conclusion along the way. Maybe just wait till the A levels are over (exams I mean not the results)and do some research then when there is more time. Perhaps go to Open Day (if there is one in the summer) and talk to department/department which might offer lower grades just in case she can switch over.

There are so many degrees to do that the mind boggles...

We seem to have settled to a day with a mix of activities. Gaming, chores, gym or a walk, bed at a reasonable time. It's working for both of us (although he's been grumbling about the exposure to fresh air and nettles)

Ursula

I guess there's nothing you can really do until results day.
Your DD might feel better once she's actually done the exams - having them looming is the worst time I think and everything feels a bit bleak. Once they're done hopefully she'll feel more positive.
Could be worth checking whether her firm choice (or anything similar) went into clearing last year.
I know that's no guarantee that it will again this year but there do seem to be some trends.
There's a thread, in Higher I think, where a very kind (and organised) mnetter has collected the lists from the past few years and is willing to look up specific courses and report back on whether they have been in clearing recently.
I'll try to link!

How do you find out if a course has been in clearing in the past few years?www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/3254524-How-do-you-find-out-if-a-course-has-been-in-clearing-in-the-past-few-years

You are all so kind.

Ursula I think we are all just about hanging in there too. Want to encourage but not nag, to support but not overwhelm to be positive but not sickeningly so!

My DD has been a bit down today. Think the run up has been long but she is now in a blind panic about all of the History dates she needs to learn and the English quotes.

I have been writing out flash cards from the quotes lists she made yesterday. They had so many practice essays etc until the end of half term she didn't really have time for this hard core learning.

We are all drowning a little bit but trying to keep bobbing along.

It's more horse problems sending me close to the edge, and trying to keep them from DD.

I just don't want her upsetting before or during the exams.

Juggling so many balls and spinning plates gets exhausting. Especially in this heat.

I'm really sorry about the horse Ursula! I have a friend who is horse crazy so I understand how they are part of the family. Hope you have a better day today.

It does sound like you've got a lot going on, and that takes its toll, especially when you're trying to keep everything smooth and calm for DD.
Hang in there lovely, and remember this is the place to vent and share. We'll all help any way we can.

Don't forget to look after yourself aswell as everything and everyone else

Quizlet for flash cards - it was useful at GCSE and it's still out there.

^Ursula* I'm sorry that you are bearing the responsibility for the daft horse but if she knew, how would it help?

Minor name change but still here. I can empathise with wanting to protect Y13s from stressful news at the moment. My mum had a health scare a couple of weeks ago (thankfully all OK); we didn't tell DS1.