GCSE '18s (20) - half term beckons!

[mmmz]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/further_education/3355907-gcse-18s-19-new-beginnings

DS isn’t very sure about what he’d like to study or where at the moment so I haven’t arranged anything but I understand why people are going to open days if their dcs have some firmer ideas. He has got as far as talking about law degrees with a Y13 who is applying and now wants to visit a court but that’s literally as far as we’ve got! He likes all his A level subjects and at the moment is mulling over which one he’d like to do as a degree but can’t decide.

Flying visit to the chat - nice to hear about your news Peggy and your week Alexander. Ohn I think I got who you are. Nice to hear of all your news.

We are taking the opportunity over half term to really rest from School as first term was hard with the health issues. Hoping next part will be better. DD may look at some notesor maybe just organise her papers a bit more. We have various things planned and am still working over half term so know that it will fly by. DS in year 9 has been given a fair bit of homework. After having a policy of no homework in the holidays this has all come as a bit of a surprise. Encouraging him to get it done earlier in the week so he can then switch off.

Apart from the couple of open days that we managed in the summer we will push the rest till next summer. Do they run through the year?

Also another question I really should know the answer to - after the GCSE journey - are there any A level changes expected over the next 2 years ie by the time ours sit their exams. Or should we assume that the spec they are learning now will stay the same by the time they sit. I feel I know nothing about the A level changes.

eaglefly there won’t be any changes to the A Level specs our DC are currently studying. They can’t and won’t change the spec part way through the course.

DS has given himself the weekend and today off but then intends to do a few hours most days for the rest of his (2 week) half term. He’s going away for a few days so won’t do anything then. Not much actual homework set but he wants to revise for the forthcoming maths test and go over what they’ve covered so far in his other subjects.

No open days here as such yet, but he is going to a study day in the subject he thinks he wants to do at university, at Cambridge on Saturday. He’s by no means sure that he’ll apply there but it’s a good opportunity to hear more about what the subject entails. He’s also booked one of the taster lectures at NCH which Terf Terf kindly linked to.

Asked DD whether she had any idea of her A level grade. She goes to Sixth form at College rather than sixth form within her old School and I feel very cut off from not knowing anything that is going on.

I’ve said this before, but Brexit negotiations are easier than talking to DD

It's fine for them to do all of their open day visits at the end of Y12 & beginning of Y13.

We took DS2 to three this year, but only because he is fairly certain about what he wants to study, and I prefer to spread the visits out across two open day seasons.

Hi all! Sorry I haven't been on for a while as I have had a lot on. Been in hospital but all OK now so please don't worry. Am definitely on the mend and came home to newly decorated living room and new carpet all done out as i wanted in art deco/ modern style! I love my little family! All i need is a new sofa ( hint hint to family)
Hope all are OK as I haven't read back. DVD settled into 6 th form and doing fine but hasn't dropped an A level yet. Assessments are As so fingers crossed that continues. Now going through GCSEs with grandson who seems to be on another planet when asking about revision and homework but hope he does enough to pass ( sigh) you just can't force DC to be interested if they are not.

It's good to hear from you Sostenueto

I was just thinkign about you yesterday, Sostenueto.

I'm sorry you've been ill again (you've had quite a year of hospitals, haven't you?) but I am glad you are feeling better now.

It seems like so much longer than a yera that we were all talking about sixth form choices and when our DC should start preparing for the mocks. So much water under the bridge since then...

Last day of half term here tomorrow. Have been told that all homework has been done. Currently there are four of them upstairs. The boyf is having his hair dyed blue. I'm staying far, far away....

Sostenueto I was thinking of you, too, and sorry to hear you had to go back to hospital  but glad you're home again and enjoying newly decorated home! Sounds like it's all going well for DGD, hang in there with DSD.

Thanks for all best wishes I keep dozing off! Will be on tomorrow when I am more settled .best wishes to all.

Good to hear from you sostenueto.hope things getting better. Sorry to hear the tough time you have had. Nice to hear about your DGD shining as usual.

DS still has another week before he breaks up, no grades here yet either not that I take a great deal of notice of them anyway particularly at this early stage

eaglefly hope your DD gets plenty of rest and is in a better place when she goes back next term.

Sostenueto good to hear from you and lets hope that's the last hospital stay for a very long time!

To all of you on half term hope you have a relaxing time, looks like you will have the best of the weather as well, they're talking of snow for us next week

That's very studious CherryBurn I'm impressed. Offered DS the chance to chill this week and work next so he would get a complete break, which of course he took (he also gets two weeks). He s also got lines to learn and we need to do some research and think a bit about possible futures which he's also pushed to next week - perhaps I've been a bit generous there !!

sostenuto great to hear from you and hoping it's all upwards from now on. I am fanatical about Art Deco!!!!

I do love half-term...Two weeks off for DS as well. Yesterday he put in 5 hours of music practice, he was so happy and so looking forward to be able to do that without having to stress about homework! Quick shopping trip today for jumpers as he has outgrown old. Homework and revision starts tomorrow. He's got to read a lot, like an insanely amount for Eng Lit. Dunno how he will do that.... I should love to be surprised! Then we have to clear away the gcse stuff. Yup, it's still on the shelf

cherry I hope your DS enjoys his day at Cambridge.

Oratory I said he intends to work...

Great to hear from you Sost and sorry to hear you’ve been back in hospital. Lovely to come home to a newly decorated living room though! Glad to hear things are going well for your DGD.

D's very sure what he wants to to study but he need a Plan A and B hence an early Warwick visit. Plan A is Oxford and Cambridge applications but Warwick is like it to be Plan B first choice if he doesn't get offers from Oxbridge. We will prob only do 2 or 3 others in the summer. Maths open day at Oxford is April, dh will take ds to Cambridge outside open days as he studied there.
Peggy that's great news about dd!
Sost rest up and take care.

Kilash - similar here.
DS plan A is Oxford (not Cambridge as we live there and he wants to go away not see us on every street corner ).

Hence many of the Autumn ones are after Oxbridge applications cut off. This we have done Durham and Warwick in this season and will do Oxford, Bristol and Exeter in summer.

As we live sooooooo far from everywhere except London (which he is not interested in for uni as his intended career will take him there anyway!) I couldn't face week after week next summer!

It has been made easier by DS being very set (now) on reading History. Is it too early for Oxford college suggestions from people on this thread or will I have to brave an Oxbridge board?

Kilash - your ds does realise he can apply to Cambridge or Oxford but not both.

Brainmelt I was a bit perturbed to see DS has still got a pile of gcse stuff on the floor of his room! He can't be keeping it for sentimental reasons!

Sost

Shalom yes I realised. But don't know that I communicated it to ds! He had not considered Cambridge until recently, had been keen on Oxford but had somehow had a change of heart. We will visit both then see how he gets on.

Then if you come to Cambridge we must meet for a coffee! I eyed up all sorts of people at Warwick wondering whether they might be you!!!

I think the Maths and History (think that is what your ds is thinking of?) departments were far apart sadly. We did look at Rootes though!

Loose if we had an incinerator DS would've already used it. That's what he really wants to do with it.