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

[mmmz]

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

There's more details on screenings of the "They Shall Not Grow Old" on the Imperial War Museum website: www.iwm.org.uk/events/peter-jackson-they-shall-not-grow-old

Its not A level / university related but I've just had a look at DS2's homework diary and discovered that he has 3 big end-of-topic tests for GCSEs next week. He has done half an hour of preparation (he says - which probably means 10 minutes).

He is currently in is room playing on the xbox with his friends, and was planning to spend all evening there and several hours tomorrow. I say "was" because I've just cancelled his plans in favour of doing some of the revision that he has not done this wek.

It is not DS2's fault, but I have very little patience for starting the whole GCSE saga again. So, when DS2 promises me that he'll revise for end of topic tests, and I leave him to it, and then discover that he hasn't bothered...! Grrr!

Is he year 10 Whistl? I'd be inclined to let him crash and burn and it be a lesson learned!

I'm with Shalom. If it's not an end of year exam or mock, let him live & learn.

Yes, he's in year 10.
It's good advice to let him fail but knowing DS2, he'll make up a reason as to why he would have failed these tests and no matter how many holes in the excuse, he'll file it under not his fault and doesn't reflect his ability.
Is read him the riot act before I posted earlier, so it was too late to do anything else anyway. He did some work and said to me over dinner that there was a lot more to revise than need realised.

You've had a good result then whistl.

Whistl this all sounds very familiar - you did the right thing! Hopefully he'll do well in the tests and make the connection.
I must say one of DS's teachers was a bit sneaky - they have put more homework on Google classroom this week (in addition to the half term homework) and it's due in tomorrow!

Hopefully he will realise what wpuld have happened if Mum hadn't known best, Whistl.

DS has announced all homework is done, has a good idea of what his EPQ will be and has gotten to the next stage of testing for a work experience opportunity for next Summer hols (online strategic thinking test) and all is good this end!

I am invigilating Oxbridge admissions tests on Wednesday which is always interesting.

I threatened DS2 with DS1 testing him (since he had not prepared himself but was claiming it was unnecessary). Nothing annoys DS2 more than getting something wrong with DS1 pointing it out and being able to say why its wrong.
They are doing / did the same GCSEs with only one switch, so DS1 is well-placed to know what answers the exam board look for.

For the sake of brotherly love though, its something that I can only do sparingly.

It just feels like the GCSEs were too recent to be going through this again.

whistl I bet you can understand why those of us going through it for the second or third or fourth time last year were a bit jaded and in the 'it's up to them to get on with it' camp.

Well that’s dd dropped off at the station. She’s on a replacement bus for the first half of her journey.

She was saying yesterday she only realised how much she missed us when she was back home. She seems to be taking far more stuff back with her than she came home with!

Can’t believe a weeks gone already.i think you’re DD s right Alex, when you’re very busy and living away from home and things are going well it’s easy to shut home off and not think about it (hence the relative lack of contact) I know I did in my first year at uni and playing sport.

Gone from daily texts and calls from DD2 to a few days silence - but I am assuming that’s s good thing and probably as it should be

The WW 1 film is in in cinemas next week but only seems to be in a select few. I may try and find one near here.

This week definitely went fast!
DS has just realised he had 2 English assignments due tomorrow. Sudden end to complacent lolling around following completion of first one and some frantic activity!

EllenJane yes, I know what you mean!

I am trying really hard to motivate myself about DS2's GCSEs but a bit of me wants to throw a toddler-type tantrum and get off with it. I won't but that's what I'm hiding when I'm trying to encourage to start off on the right track so there's less to do in 2020.

That's me being honest, saying what I'd never admit in real life!

loose DS has to fully read one of the syllabus novels during the 2 weeks of half-term. A thick one too... he's already put about ten hours and needs another ten.
We were in Leeds this weekend. God it was cold Imo, the city's not particularly beautiful like say Edinburgh or York, but there's so much going on! We had a wonderful time.

Grrrrr... DS worked so hard in the six months pre gcse but is now definitely back in laid back I've got ages mode. Doesn't have much homework for the two week break but the making notes and practising questions as he goes along seems to have gone out of the window - so, I just don't know whether to give him a break and leave him to it for a bit or step up the nagging (which could be counterproductive !).

I’d leave him to it Oratory. He’s probably knackered (I think they all are) and has also had to adjust to boarding (I know he loves it, but it’s still a change.) And in truth, they probably can afford to take their foot off the gas a bit at this stage. Not that I’d say that within DS’s earshot

Thank you Cherryburn, wise words as usual, and I do want him to enjoy this year.

It’s just difficult to know how much they should be doing - though I guess they are all different in that

I think we should all be very thankful that A Levels are now linear! You know from GCSEs that he has the capacity and drive to step it up when required and in the meantime the schools will keep them on track with regular topic tests/exams. In an ideal world they’d work steadily for 2 years, revising/making notes as they’re going along. But they’re 16/17 and I bet very, very few have the discipline to take that approach. And there’s also the possibility of burnout (and us nagging becoming a constant background noise!) to guard against. I wouldn’t worry this holiday.

I have stood down :)

And following DD1 s experience I am indeed very grateful we have no AS s.

Don't say that! DS1 has an AS in May!