Page 40 | Is it too early for an A level support thread!

HereWeGo2023 · 2023-05-04T09:08:05+00:00

Hello all, apologies if there is already a thread but I can’t find one. May had finally rolled around and the first exam is a mere 2 weeks away. Exam stress has hit our house! It’s feels like everything is about waiting at the moment - waiting for the predicted grades, waiting for the uni offers, waiting for the exams to start, and then the long wait for the results! This is our youngest DD but the first one in further education so would love to chat to other parents going through this

Georgieporgie29 · 22/06/2023 08:12

tennissquare · 22/06/2023 07:59

@Georgieporgie29 , the re-sit for the whole A level would be next summer, they could work for a year and study at home and ask their current sixth form if they could resit. It's unlikely they would get any funding to pay for study. It may be best to look in clearing when it opens on 5th July for other options with a low maths grade or to hope for the best especially if the other 2 papers went well.

Thanks for getting back to me. He isn’t actually going to uni this year but has applied for a degree apprenticeship which he needs his maths for. I’m hoping he’s scraped a C but he doesn’t think he answered anything on his first exam so I’m doubtful. We’re going into college today so I will ask about this, thank you.

tennissquare · 22/06/2023 08:35

@Georgieporgie29 , I'm sure the college will be able to advise, so many dc had a bad first exam from nerves due to missing out on GCSE's, he won't be the only one.
Plus I work in education and whilst the allocation of grades will return to 2019 levels it's hoped that higher education will show leniency to compensate for the disrupted education and they of course do need to fill their places.

Georgieporgie29 · 22/06/2023 08:44

tennissquare · 22/06/2023 08:35

@Georgieporgie29 , I'm sure the college will be able to advise, so many dc had a bad first exam from nerves due to missing out on GCSE's, he won't be the only one.
Plus I work in education and whilst the allocation of grades will return to 2019 levels it's hoped that higher education will show leniency to compensate for the disrupted education and they of course do need to fill their places.

He did ask them on the phone yesterday and they said there weren’t re-sits so I just wanted to make sure I was asking the right questions when we go in today. He is going in to sign something as they have applied for special circumstances for his first exam, however, if approved I believe it’s only 1-4% increase and by the sounds of it he needs much more than that. He heard that his best friend (at the same college) had died just before his exam and I think he just went into shock and went totally blank.

Forestfriendlygarden · 22/06/2023 08:50

exLtEveDallas · 22/06/2023 05:54

DD was so down yesterday. She has convinced herself that she HAS to get 3 A* or she’s a failure. It doesn’t matter what I say, she won’t accept any less.

Shes now saying that she’ll be ‘lucky to get a B in biology” and that she knows she’s going to hate herself come August 😰

God, this is so hard. I know it’s all linked to the AN, and I’ve been studiously ignoring the disordered eating so she has less to complain about, but bloody hell I cannot wait until Friday (although, knowing DD, the obsessing will continue till Aug 17th)

Solidarity from me. Sounds like you like me have a perfectionist on your hands - mine too beats themselves up emotionally for things that any other mere mortal would be happy with.

ikwym about ignoring the disordered eating...Dd here lost so much weight.

We are both shattered now DD gone off to see friend for day - keep going only one more sleep now...

tribpot · 22/06/2023 09:31

The various options around resits discussed here - they're an online course provider so it's not completely unbiased but it's not bad.

Georgieporgie29 · 22/06/2023 09:52

tribpot · 22/06/2023 09:31

The various options around resits discussed here - they're an online course provider so it's not completely unbiased but it's not bad.

Thank you for this, I really appreciate it.

Forestfriendlygarden · 22/06/2023 10:19

Sorry to not understand enough but what is AN ext? Feel I should know.

tennissquare · 22/06/2023 10:42

@Georgieporgie29 , yes special consideration is 1-5% and 5% is for if you lost a parent the night before an exam etc so 1-4% sounds right. I'm sorry your ds went through this and hopefully the extra percent will make a difference. Yes the college may not allow re-sits but I can be done externally somewhere else if you pay. Overall I would hope the degree apprenticeship will take the circumstances into account.

Georgieporgie29 · 22/06/2023 10:45

tennissquare · 22/06/2023 10:42

@Georgieporgie29 , yes special consideration is 1-5% and 5% is for if you lost a parent the night before an exam etc so 1-4% sounds right. I'm sorry your ds went through this and hopefully the extra percent will make a difference. Yes the college may not allow re-sits but I can be done externally somewhere else if you pay. Overall I would hope the degree apprenticeship will take the circumstances into account.

Thanks @tennissquare ive been looking at the link @tribpot posted and I’m going to have a chat to him about it. Thank you for all your help.

WarningToTheCurious · 22/06/2023 11:31

@Georgieporgie29

Might be worth asking the college for the marks for each paper after results come out if he’s missed the grade and then contacting the degree apprenticeship provider if it’s really obvious that paper 1 performance are way below the other 2 papers?

Georgieporgie29 · 22/06/2023 12:55

WarningToTheCurious · 22/06/2023 11:31

@Georgieporgie29

Might be worth asking the college for the marks for each paper after results come out if he’s missed the grade and then contacting the degree apprenticeship provider if it’s really obvious that paper 1 performance are way below the other 2 papers?

I will do, thank you.

kackle · 22/06/2023 13:05

Georgieporgie29 · 22/06/2023 08:44

He did ask them on the phone yesterday and they said there weren’t re-sits so I just wanted to make sure I was asking the right questions when we go in today. He is going in to sign something as they have applied for special circumstances for his first exam, however, if approved I believe it’s only 1-4% increase and by the sounds of it he needs much more than that. He heard that his best friend (at the same college) had died just before his exam and I think he just went into shock and went totally blank.

Show quote history

Not sure if this has been posted but the jcq guide to special consideration is here

https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Guide_to_spec_con_process_2223_FINAL.pdf

page 8/9

https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Guide_to_spec_con_process_2223_FINAL.pdf

Georgieporgie29 · 22/06/2023 13:15

@kackle this is very helpful, thank you.

kackle · 22/06/2023 13:30

Literally - go back to your school exam officer and quote this document to her.

exLtEveDallas · 22/06/2023 17:13

Hi @Forestfriendlygarden its Anorexia Nervosa. DD was diagnosed in Dec 20. She’s ‘in recovery’ now and reached her target weight at Christmas, but I can see she has lost again over the last couple of months, pretty much as soon as CAMHS discharged her…

The OCD traits and perfectionist nature are all part and parcel of it. I know she’ll never be cured, but it’s hard to ignore it when I see her slipping. I’m hoping once the pressure is off she’ll settle down again.

PacificState · 22/06/2023 18:09

It must be scary for you @exLtEveDallas Manly arm-punch to you and all the other parents of stressed/overwhelmed kids. I know we keep saying it but I don't remember the pressure being anything like this back in the dark ages when I did my A Levels. Those with pre-existing MH conditions must be really suffering. I hope your DD is able to recover a bit over the summer. (And you of course.)

As we're down to the last few posts and there are a few of us with kids taking exams tomorrow or early next week, shall we decamp to the Countdown thread when this one maxes out?

Forestfriendlygarden · 22/06/2023 18:18

exLtEveDallas · 22/06/2023 17:13

Hi @Forestfriendlygarden its Anorexia Nervosa. DD was diagnosed in Dec 20. She’s ‘in recovery’ now and reached her target weight at Christmas, but I can see she has lost again over the last couple of months, pretty much as soon as CAMHS discharged her…

The OCD traits and perfectionist nature are all part and parcel of it. I know she’ll never be cured, but it’s hard to ignore it when I see her slipping. I’m hoping once the pressure is off she’ll settle down again.

Thanks for explaining abbreviation. I have been on fast learning curve myself on this, as DD regularly loses masses of weight whilst under stress. Hope things become calmer. You must be worried so hand hold.

SerenadeOfTheSchoolRun · 22/06/2023 18:33

As we're down to the last few posts and there are a few of us with kids taking exams tomorrow or early next week, shall we decamp to the Countdown thread when this one maxes out?

Sounds like a good plan. Not sure if anyone on here is doing RS? But if not I think most of us left here have the last one tomorrow. I am sure the countdown thread will put up with some Chemistry exam feedback and finishing celebrations. Good luck to everyone for tomorrow.

Sorry to hear that exam stress is affecting eating patterns. Hope once the pressure is off that things settle down for your DC.

Nugg · 22/06/2023 21:08

Last two here tomorrow. DS very down about FM today 😫 hoping tomorrow goes better- he's enjoyed chemistry so far at least

AfingeroffudgeisNOTenough · 22/06/2023 21:15

Last RS here for DD tomorrow @SerenadeOfTheSchoolRun CCEA exam board - Ethics paper.

Lowther · 22/06/2023 21:26

Good luck to those who have exams tomorrow. Chemistry for DD and then we can relax!

legalalien · 22/06/2023 23:21

Not sure how chemistry will go for DS tomorrow to be honest- he has def struggled to keep up momentum and his freaked himself out by looking at the student room thing today. At least it will be done by lunchtime.

As someone who had AN as a late teen / early 20s and who will always have body dysmorphia on and off / a stress response which means I lose appetite/ stop eating/ lose weight I really feel for your DDs - I agree it’s best to get through the exams before addressing flare ups. I’m in no position to give medical advice but for me at peak stress times herbal teas with honey, carrot/apple/ginger juices, vegemite toast or peanut butter toast with Worcestershire sauce, miso soup, and handfuls of blueberries are my favourites. Everyone is different but worth trying different snacks. Something about the umami flavour / vitamin B cravings?

PacificState · 22/06/2023 23:36

Good luck everyone. Last further maths paper (and last paper full stop) for DS2 tomorrow. He's doing a good impersonation of one of the less successful battery-powered bunnies in the old Duracell ads.

Countdown thread is here: Countdown to A level results day - 2023 www.mumsnet.com/Talk/higher_education/4827264-countdown-to-a-level-results-day-2023

GMH1974 · 23/06/2023 08:34

We have Chemistry and Further Maths here. He doesn't think he's done enough for Further Maths as he was focusing on Chemistry as he doesn't need the Further Maths for his offer. It's the only time he's had two on the same day so it's a shame that has to be on the last day when it's very hot. So looking forward for it to be over. A party tonight and a holiday to see a friend tomorrow.

legalalien · 23/06/2023 09:02

As agreed with DS, have just finished removing all traces of study from his room. He’ll be opening that final paper now. Everything crossed that he finishes on a high- this Chem paper is the one he was dreading the most.