Year 12 (4): The one where they're pondering what to do next

[Numbersaremything]

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/further_education/3491933-year-12-3-open-days-and-predicted-grades-beckon

Let's try this

DS is meant to do stuff for EPQ and a philosophy essay, plus make notes for his PS. I think it's safe to say none of those things have happened yet. He is watching videos of lectures related to his planned degree so I suppose he's doing something but his main focus appears to be his social life.
His domestic skills stretch to boiling a kettle at the moment! (Unfortunately he appears to think pot noodles are a meal.)

His domestic skills stretch to boiling a kettle at the moment! (Unfortunately, he appears to think pot noodles are a meal.) .

I offered to send my DD on a cooking course in France specifically for certain age groups (No was the answer).

Any DC thinking of volunteering summer camp USA next year. DD is quite keen and I saw someone recommending BUNAC.

oneteen
I saw those camps mentioned on WIWIKAU. I didn't pay much attention as it's not the sort of thing that would appeal to DS.

For those who would be interested, it sounds as though there's a fair amount of paperwork and red tape.

Presumably you have to be in the university years to be a leader for NCS as well rather than merely 18.

I think it's just 18 for NCS but by 1st May to work on their summer program, I know my niece did the program when she was 16 and was also a helper for two years too.

@ironoaks - yes a lot of paperwork and I think its a case of applying sooner rather than later. DD's DBS checked anyhow because she starts a tutoring job in a few weeks. Hopefully, she has enough experience with children having been an ELF at Christmas, Brownie Younger Leader and with the new Tutoring post (7 years plus). I think its a fab experience - just hope if she goes she will want to back!

One of my friends DC is just about to go on a Project Trust gap year to South Africa having raised over £6000(she has just finished at Peter Symonds).

Oh, in DS's defence he claims he's done the philosophy reading that was set. I think some work may be coming on holiday with us!

Good news from this end too - that DD has arranged two days of work experience in the Labs of the company who make pregnancy tests (should be interesting).

Oneteen was it you who this time last year was bobbing about in the Fjords?

Yes - we were ...seems a long time ago now. Quiet summer for us this year (we were housesitting in Devon for 10 days - looking after Hens which was actually a really lovely experience although DD would like some Chickens now). Big holiday planned just before Xmas - probably last holiday with DD :-(

I'm very relieved to hear that lots of your offspring are also having a fairly unproductive summer. DD has just completed a week getting her pool lifeguard qualification, but has no actual plans to use it just yet. She's going on a week's residential that has nothing whatsoever to do with her A-levels or university choices. Apart from that, she's reading a lot of fan fiction and we're going to hide on a campsite for a couple of weeks at some point. Today she sat in her wardrobe all day reading a book .

I feel she should possibly be a bit more focussed, but to be honest it's nice to have a chance to be a bit vague for a while. No doubt things will ramp up again as soon as they are back in September.

Dd has just pulled out of an offer to go to Devon with her grandparents for a few days in favour of a weeks work helping at a performing arts summer school.

I agree - some downtime is definitely needed. One of DS's friends has a holiday job but this hasn't rubbed off on him! On the other hand he's going on a musical tour at the end of the month and there are rehearsals so actually I think he's better off as he is.
I'd love to see the fjords! Maybe next year!

@looseattheseams - The fjords are lovely, although I think my DD definitely enjoyed looking have the hens - this year. Emor, was definitely a handful escaping from his pen at every opportunity. There is something quite nice about opening a hen house and finding freshly laid eggs (I was raised on a farm and never experienced this).

It's nice that our kids are at an age when they have opportunities and can choose what they do during the summer...music tour sounds lovely and helping out at performing arts too. DD's just about to start guitar lessons which she is "beaming about", she plays the piano but is looking forward to playing guitar without exams!

Oneteen, I bet it won’t be your last holiday with your DD. I spent a few days in Barcelona earlier in the holiday with DSs 1, 2 & 3, ages ranging from 21 -17. If it’s a free holiday to somewhere nice, they’ll come.

Oneteen I asked DD if she wanted to go back after our holiday last year and she leapt at the chance to go on a new ship next year, I also have a sneaky 4 nighter booked for April 21 with the option to change names if DD really doesn't want to go.

This time last year...

@millicentmartha - I'd like to think not, BUT I'm not sure. The one aspect of life I have tried to embed in my DD is to enjoy travel. We have spent much of the last 10 years plus travelling at every opportunity (on a budget most of the time with the occasional treat)...creating so many memories :-). She's definitely keen to travel far and wide but needs someone younger than me for company. Who knows I may be able to wow her with a treat.

Enjoy your cruises, we have nothing planned on that front ...I did consider sneaking in a 2-night cruise from Southampton to Hamburg in July which was on offer for £99 on the Queen Mary 2 (but I think DD would have hated the stuffiness).

Did anyone’s DC go to the Newcastle Open Day?
DS is off for a ‘self-guided’ tour this week and can ask to see 2 accommodation sites - any recommendations about which to see - or anything else to look out for?

Too far for us I'm afraid, but the fact that Newcastle Falcons will have home matches against Cornish Pirates could sway it I suppose.

DD got 3 x U s in her end of first year A level exams (1 x AS level, 2 x internal) she is hell-bent on continuing with A levels when I suggest any alternatives, she says that I don't believe in her...

She has spent 90% of her summer holidays doing nothing. A tiny bit of revision, nothing towards her EPQ or personal statement. Whenever I raise with her, she replies "I know"...

Can she really turn 3 x U grades around?

HugoSpritz I have suggested she retakes year 12 but she just comes back at me that I don't believe in her..... sigh...

Also HugoSpritz suggested she changes subjects but am met with the same response

sandwiches77
Is the college / sixth form definitely happy for her to continue studying A-levels in Y13 with those grades?
If she starts again in September with a different course, she can still get funding for two more years.