Year 12 #3: Open Days and Predicted Grades beckon

[whistl]

Yikes! The title has just hit me! It's too soon! I'm not ready!!

Thread number 2 link: https://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/further_education/3443840-Year-12-2-Carols-commutes-a-few-stocking-fillers

Somethingsmellsnice well done to him - that's great!

Bpsiok DD ill here too. She has thrown up. She wanted me to come home from work!

My younger DC thinking about A levels, is it wise for them to consider all 3 sciences and nothing else?

My younger DC thinking about A levels, is it wise for them to consider all 3 sciences and nothing else?

It depends what they want to do afterwards. If they are interested in further study in physical sciences, engineering or similar, then Maths would be very useful.

Sorry, that first paragraph was meant to be in bold to show that I was commenting on a question from Twinplusone

Thanks First they don't have a clue yet! Strong on maths but prefer sciences. Only y10 with first round of mocks coming up soon so that will give thema better idea

If they might want to study any of these subjects, Maths A-level would be required by nearly all universities:
Actuarial Science
Aeronautical Engineering
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Economics
Electrical/Electronic Engineering
Engineering (General)
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Physics
Statistics

If they might want to study either of these subjects, Maths A-level would be required by some universities:
Computer Science
Chemistry

DS3 has started his mock AS exams. First one was FM core which everyone found hard. He told me it was harder than all the past papers they’d looked at.

Of course the mock is the first past paper of the new un-coupled exam series (taken for the first time last year at AS) and so not that surprising it’s different in style and difficulty. The new maths and FM A levels exams will be taken for the first time this May/June.

Ellen dd did her FM mock last week. She said the whole class found it hard. She got a B which she was ok with. She didn't really know how to revise because she didn't want to use all the past papers at this stage.

Also she's had a major change of heart this week. After 2 years of planning a computer science degree she's thinking of switching to geography

She is loving geography at the moment and I'm sure would love it at uni too. She is struggling to think of what career it would lead to though. I think she liked the employment options for computer programming better. It's great that she's started giving it serious thought.

There is a thread somewhere with geography careers suggestions on, possibly in Higher Ed? DSS is reading geography and will be going in to the RAF (possibly, he has passed entrance exams). I'll see if I can find the link.

There are lots of careers where you just need a degree, any degree so sensible to study something you enjoy and could do well in (perhaps I'm biased as I did Geography many moons ago - it was the subject I enjoyed the most and didn't have a clue what I wanted to do afterwards). But also if she has an interest in CS and an aptitude there are lots of jobs where that is useful too as a means to an end in the job if that makes sense. So in some jobs that use coding they say coding is the easy bit and you have to know the subject as well.
I didn't put that very well but hopefully you know what I mean.

DS1 was the last pupil in his year group to start writing his personal statement. He started writing the first draft in early December, the evening before the school's deadline for submission of the final text.

DS2 is (as far as I know) the first pupil in his yeear group to start writing his personal statement. He is working on an initial draft now. I have no idea why he is doing this 6 months earlier than the earliest anyone could possibly ask to see it.

DS had a session looking at ‘bad’ personal statements today and picking out their mistakes! Apparently ‘woolly’ was the worst offender...

My DH is a geographer & works in the public sector running a huge information mgmt team. Another geographer chum works in transport planning.

The PWC recruitment process was more Trial by Ham Sandwich in my day. Would anyone care to join me at Alison Moyet & Tears For Fears this evening?

DS also has a template which he has had to start filling in information that will feed into either his Personal statement or his school reference. I think they do this as they go along so they don't forget that video lecture they watched or article they read.

Had a hell of a time getting g back on mumsnet due to security breach! Hi to all am lurking!

Somethingsmellsnice Congratulations to your DS! Great show of perseverence and result in the end.

Interesting to see everyone's DC starting to focus on uni choices and personal statements. DS1 has always only wanted Medicine and decided early (Year 7/8?) which is lucky as we then had time to check and double-check that it was the right decision for him. He went to a Debate Chamber course when he was in Year 9, did SJA and first aid volunteering. As he got older and could do more in hospitals, he was a ward assistant and A&E helper - each experience just made him more determined to be a doctor. After a week's job shadowing last year, he was absolutely buzzing everyday when he got home and on the last day, he said he didn't want it to end, he just loved it. SO, I am resigned to this process, it might take a couple of years (really hoping not) but this is what he really wants. He went on a Cambridge masterclass last year and enjoyed it, thought the tutors were engaging and wants to go there.

DS2 on the other hand has no clue. We have just come back from his Parents Evening where the refrain was "We love looking at his gorgeous smiley face but would also like to see that face bent over his schoolwork in concentration, please".

Hi sost. Hope you are well

242 I'm so in awe of kids who know what they want to do from such an early age. I still haven't decided and I'm 44!

Thanks for the geography ideas. I'll hunt out that thread. Yes she's pretty good at computers and also loves statistics and analysis. She'd also like to save the planet. As long as she doesn't have to give up going on holiday, shopping in primark or going to McDonald's to do it

I can imagine her counting turtle eggs in Galapagos or measuring footpath erosion in Nepal. And I'd be very happy to go and visit her while she's there!

Being good with computing and data analysis could come in handy with a role like that.

something well done to your d's !

Nothing new here too - DD had applied for a 4 hour x 2 shirts job at a local bargain store - hopefully that may work out. She has also applied to do her enrichment work experience with the local European member of parliament and is possibly thinking of doing the far right as her EPQ! I will be no use to her at all as I am a maths person!

Waves to sos lurking - hope all ok with you [flowers ]

Hi to Sos - for log in troubles but glad you got back in!
DS had an Inset day yesterday and was exhausted by the time I got in. I think they'd been set even more work than for a normal school day. One more week to half term...
Very impressed by all the work experience!

I understand why the process is so lengthy now having read his last email. They basically use the Insight Week as a week long interview after which they may be offered a post 18 apprenticeship, a higher apprenticeship or u/g internships during hols depending on which route they are following! DS says he is determined to smash it, and his epq and his A levels! I am very much in a "hold that thought " mode with him.

242MUmmy - it is weird how our own kids are so different to each other. My older 2 (well DSS and DS) had little or no idea and the one we worried about most who is through uni is now a high flyer and has just moved last weekend to the US (sniff sniff)

Somethingsmellsnice aww that is reassuring. I can only hope that DS2 treads his own path and heads towards success and happiness.

It is amazing to think that the world is their oyster and that our DCs can travel and work anywhere they wish and may well do so in just a few more years. How exciting that your elder DS is in the US - another holiday destination for you!

Other news: DS1 has been made Senior Prefect and Music Captain. Induction on Monday!

Masterclass in physiology and neuroscience 19th April at Cambridge booked. Anyone else going? DD and me will go sightseeing whilst dgd attends. Should be nice day out!

Sost they do a parent session shortly after the masterclass starts for 45 minutes. We're going to make the long trek to Cambridge next weekend for one. Shopping & pottering on the Friday, master classes for her and coffee shops for me on the Saturday.