BTEC/T level/other vocational 25/26

[BTECnewbie]

Hello all. My DS will hopefully be starting a level 3 extended diploma in September (assuming he gets the grades). I know very little about BTECs having come through the A level route myself. So I’d love to have a support thread for parents of kids taking vocational qualifications this year.

Sigh.
Dd has had a tough day today.
The college laptops weren't working, she forgot her sketchbook and the dyeing she did hasn't worked properly on her fabric.
She's really, really stressed and upset.
The books are done for tomorrow's deadline, but she's feeling really unhappy with what she's produced 😕
She came home early she was so stressed.
I'm trying to be supportive, and explained that deadlines are always stressful, but I think she needs more feedback from her tutors.
Older dd is having relationship issues 😕
What a day 😕

Thanks for the help. I haven't had to look at laptops for years and honestly the mind boggles!

It is actually my DS who will be doing the Health and Social Care T level and I am a bit worried that he will be the only boy. He is gay (or maybe Bi he is not entirely sure yet) and more than happy to have female friends but I wonder if he can really stick it out for two years in an all female environment.

Oh Sweetheart…….. I’m so sorry to hear that…. (Ironically, you must have posted that LITERALLY as I popped in to say goodnight to DS, planning to hop into bed to catch up myself…….. to find him on Q2 OF 11(!) due in the following day ( yesterday/ Friday!).. WT….?! So, yes, I completely agree that sone DC may not be getting enough support…. OR, maybe DS’s wheels have come off, as he’s all over the show at the moment! 🤔😳! Then I spent yesterday running round on errands and work and 🤯… Then he casually said “ Chat GPT was mentioned because I don’t usually write that much”,… cue me 🤯, and him casually batting me away, saying it’d all been checked out and he OBVS hasn’t used it..🤷‍♀️😤..

How is the relationship update going? Oh, it’s so horrible to hear…. I really hope things have improved. Where is she now? Home full time?

How is the dye situation? What was the outcome of the deadline submission yesterday?

Oh, sending you a huge HUGE hug! Try and take time for yourself, however slight!! You burning out or getting really sick won’t help… 🤗… xx

Well! As for me- and DS- I’m taking him to work with me this morning! I’m not working today, but it’s closed to public at weekend, and I work in his sort of area, and he’s not been since his was little. So, it’s a “ take your son to work day”! Im hoping it gets his concentration back on track!

It’s the weekend, and I hope your day is immeasurably better than last couple of days 💖xx

@Littletreefrog

Sorry! I must have misread- how embarrassing!
Well, it definitely sounds like an interesting course. Has he mentioned the split on the course? What is his friendship group split like? My DS is straight, and he is also happy, sometimes more so, with female friends, but I absolutely see what you say- sometimes my DS gets excited if he’s paired with a boy. Had he mentioned anything to you, to you doubts? How’s he getting on, otherwise? He’s just started it, or just started a new college, too?

Sending positive vibes!

Thanks @Sisublondie
Older dd is very heartbroken. Another phone call to decide one way or the other later on.
She spoke to a friend last night, another this morning and had just gone out with another friend who - I suspect - will all tell her the same thing.
God, it's hard 😕
Dd is ok, I think. Workbooks handed in. She made a mistake cutting out her fabric so she'll have to see what can be done about that.
She's having the weekend off to relax.
I look - and feel - like roadkill so I'm going to have a long shower and go for a walk.
Have a good weekend, folks

Dropped DD at 7.30 in the dark and pouring rain again for outside work experience. But weather has cleared up now to a light drizzle.

@swampwitch0

Oh, Sweetheart, how did it all go at the weekend?! Did your roadkill look get killed off?! I do 🤞!!

I am so sorry to hear DD1 situation is extremely grim… are her friends all agreeing that it’s over? I’m assuming that’s what’s happened.. but she’s confused? Oh, how very sad …. You must be stressed as hell ……. 🤗 x

How did the fabric cutting go? Did she, nay, you ALL manage to get some well needed relax time?!

I had full on Saturday after work thing with DS- he was “ it’s a lot more interesting than I thought ( high praise, for him!”, took him and friend to the mall and we ended up watching The Handmaid and getting home super late… then I have been chasing tail with sorting things for Mum, and tonight had a meeting at DS’s college for overseas trip later this term. ( DS19 called from Uni last night… doing done extremely sketchy sponsored hitch hike to Europe… 🙀!

Anyhoo, I hope things are more positive right now……..x

Oh, that sounds horrific! But……. How did it go?! Was it a success?! Were there tears….or smiles…?! 🤞

She seems to be enjoying it, she's never minded rain much, and she's pretty well kitted out. Also she has just applied for a part time job that says you have to 'be able to work in all weathers' so it helps her see the relevance as she can prove it now. (Job is just on the off chance and for practice rather than realistic chance we think.)

Hi @Sisublondie
It's over with dd1 and bf. She's utterly distraught 💔
Dd seems ok...back to college today, has got a student council thing today then a group (ha!) presentation tomorrow.
Bit of a disaster as shes cut some fabric wrongly but 🤷‍♀️
It is what it is
Mums not great, in fact I'm going to speak to the dr today about more pain relief.
All in all, pretty rubbish here 😒
Hope everyone else is ok. Sounds very positive @TeenToTwenties 👍

That's great, terrific to be getting useful experience.

DS had a part time job before Christmas helping out in a farm shop. He's now done the all weathers thing and decided that he never wants to work outdoors again.
He's decided that people are better than rain. I'm not so sure about that!

@LarkspurLane Ah, for DD weather is definitely better than people!

@swampwitch0….

just a quickie, catch up later as straight out to work do ( then drive from this city back to my village, past it, to DS college town, grab him, then back on myself home! ).
I’m so sorry everything is so wretched at the mo 🤗 xx .. Did your mum get any further results? Is her pain linked to her condition , or anything else ?.. Did she manage to get any help re pain relief?
Oh, just, no and terrible to DD1… that’s so brutal and sadly only a time thing….. will she be running into him, or does he live away? How was the group ( As IF!) presentation? Eek as to fabric! ( any mutts that could love a bandana?!)

Just sending a massive hug and tons of positive vibes!! Xx

Ah, the job has already come back and said no.

Oh, NO! Ah, I’m so sorry to hear that. Hopefully that means something even better is around the corner ….. 🤞 x

It is difficult keeping her motivated, but hopefully the right thing will turn up at the right time. (I do wish she could drive though, but her MH has precluded her so far, it would make accessing jobs so much easier.)

Hi @Sisublondie
Mum seems slightly better, thank you x
Dd1 still utterly miserable 💔 I wish I knew what to say 😕
Dd has had a good day thank god! and is having the weekend off 🙌
Her piece is due next friday and 🤞 is on track.
I intend to spend the weekend drinking wine 🍷 and watching trash TV 😊
Dd has already started the next project in cad and textiles! 😬

@TeenToTwenties
Really sorry to hear about the job x

oops, forgot to respond properly @Sisublondie...the presentation went well (and dd has learnt a very valuable lesson on teamwork..!) but she's desperately hoping her groups idea isn't picked! 🫣

@LarkspurLane
I concur! 😃

We must be nearing the end of this thread.
I trust OP will set up another?

Have a good weekend everyone.

Evening all! Well, I have had a total weep fest! I was chatting to DS, DS’s mate and DH when I got Sky news alert on my phone, so instinctively glanced down… apologies to those who may not have heard of her/not fans, but reading that Catherine O’Hara has died made me literally burst into tears. Poor DS looked confused as hell, and I tried to get out why I’d just burst into tears, but I just sounded insane! I had Schitts Creek on repeat during Covid, just kept scrolling on on the TV in the kitchen, and watching Moira etc kept me marginally sane after my best friend died. Plus, I loved her in anything, was watching Pain Hustlers earlier today, randomly ( snow cancelled 🧘‍♀️ 🙄!), and she was just fab full stop. If I’m having a crappy day, can just shove any episode of Schitts Creek on, and mood lifted! Anyway……. DS19 messaged from uni when he heard the news, which is sweet, and DS gave me a hug ( so rare!) . Sounds ridiculous, I know, and I prob had a weep for my BF, as I’ve kept that all bottled up, and also worries for my mum. Anyway….. chin up! It’s been nice reading the thousands of comments online and rewatching.

@swampwitch0.. Yay to the wine!!! 🍷 and trash TV! What did you find to watch?! I’ve got Under Salt Marsh on?
Sorry about DD1.. I’d be lost, too. Just a big hug 🤗. I guess, and her knowing you’re there for her? She’s lucky to have you ….x
Good that your Mum is slightly better…. It’s troubling, isn’t it? Makes you yearn for an earlier time when we were “ just” worrying about DC!
Good, too, that piece on track for Friday, and she is already cracking on next project! Great as to the presentation going well! I’m guessing she’s hoping the groups idea isn’t picked cause she’ll be stuck with them?! 🤷‍♀️

I’ve got bowling with DS, DH and DS “ friend” tomorrow. It is so random that I have zero idea how it will go! I think DS arranged it to avoid revising for the English Paper 2 much exam he has on Monday morning…. Which I did not find out about until I’d paid for it! 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️🙄😹!!

I hope you have a good rest of eve! 🍷 📺 💖

Crikey, I was thinking that the other day!!!! I do hope so!! Do we have a Plan B?!!?

Thank you, have a lovely weekend, too! 😻

Hmmmmm, yes.has she got a provisional? DS hasn’t, yet, due to his requiring medical for epilepsy. Mind you, the road to his college makes me feel terrified, and the thought of him, with his zero assessment of danger……

Where are you actually sourcing ideas, as to jobs? I’m really 🤔 struggling!! Yes, something will be out there for her, it’s a question of right place, right time, I guess? And keeping positive and out there!

Weekend, yay! 🥳 Hope you have a lovely one!

@Sisublondie..
Feel the same wrt Catherine O Hara 💔
I got through a very tough time watching schitts creek on repeat. We still use lots of moira-isms in our house 💔
Have a good time bowling 🎳 we are going to the theatre tomorrow and dd is off to a party
Have a good weekend, folks x