Year 13 -2025/26 - Support, discussion and looking after each other - thread 2 - exam time

[SilverBlue4]

Here we go

Hope Psychology, FM and all other exams have gone well today!

that threads title is something like “are parents too involved with their DCs A Levels and independence…” or something like that.

I also posted but have had to step away because of the competitive ‘hands off’ is best and ‘involved parents are damaging their children’ vibe.

The consensus seems to be that anyone who gives a lift to school on exam day or helps with revision is a bad parent.

There’s lots of ‘we didn’t have this in my day’ with no acknowledgment that things are different now.

anyway. I don’t care what anyone else thinks about my parenting. I just want what’s best for my child which may be the polar opposite of what’s best for another child. I don’t judge others and expect others not to judge me.

I did reply on that thread. It’s gone a bit bonkers now.

Absolutely @Gazelda! Some is completely crazy! I shouldn’t have waded in. I must have been feeling a little de-mob happy 😆 I’m glad you got out unscathed and I completely agree with you.

I knew I was amongst my people here 😁.

DD's psych paper 3 went very well thank goodness. One subject done, 4 more exams left. Breathing space for a short time before chem on Tues. Hope everyone else's exams today went ok.

Why am I not surprised?! 😂

That’s fantastic @bluefinelinerWell done to your daughter. Hope she doesn’t spend the whole weekend revising and can get some fresh air.

Verdict on FM (Edexcel) was ‘pretty good’ (in a positive tone of voice!). So it seems he thinks he’s looking pretty solid for what he needs from the exams he’s had so far, though he’ll feel more confident if the next Maths paper goes well. Some friends are stressed with their offers relying on A stars, I’m very thankful DS has a bit more wriggle room.

@MiniMidiMaxi really pleased that your DS thinks he has done well. My DS is a bit disappointed - thinks he has dropped a few marks on a couple of questions. He needs to get a A star so needs to score highly. Hopefully he can make up lost marks in the final paper which is two weeks away.

Nobody doing school exams in my house anymore but I was reading the other thread and wanted to pop on here and wish you and your DC well. Mine needed some support through A level ironically because she pushed herself so hard she started to struggle. I’m pleased I decided to help her through and she’s flourishing.

Many children had highly engaged parents in my day too!

DD also reported not getting one correct for sure and not sure, but went okay!
gladit went well for @Muchtoomuchtodo@AuntyBulgaria and other FM Edexcel people. After last week, they needed a back to normal exam! @AuntyBulgaria how come you don’t have any next week? We have three next week and one week after.
@Ventress oh, that’s very nice. Seniors day would be different than ours so won’t be there, but clap 👏 from us for you DS!
Glad I didn’t see the other thread, I only read never respond, still would’ve compelled to respond lol
I am so glad of this supportive group, since Year 10 yes, I have asked million questions and very new to the system as well.

@AuntyBulgaria DS reckons he might have dropped 7-10 marks in total but ‘only’ needs an A so more relaxed. He says that seemed about on par with others he came out with, who are mostly predicted A star, so I don’t get the sense that it was an ‘easy’ paper where you need almost full marks. Suspect they were all just a bit relieved after Maths on Wednesday!

My (neurodivergent) son has come out of AQA FM barely able to string a sentence together he is so tired 😩

Oh no @SilverBlue4 I hope it went well for him after all that.

@Newlease the next FM is two weeks, but he has one maths paper next week but that's it. So plenty of time to both relax and knuckle down.

After this week of highs and lows, I hope everyone has an amazing weekend and can reset before the next wave!

@blueshipsail thank you! I was reading that thread and it was a bit weird. There is a great difference between knowing which exams your child is sitting and asking how they went, being encouraging (nagging) that they reach their potential compared to doing all the work for them and micro managing.

He has revived after pasta and meatballs and some chocolate. He said he only gave up on one question and didn't quite finish the last, which is better than usual so fingers crossed! He doesn't normally finish these so it's not a surprise.

I haven't read the other thread, but we are also very overinvested parents. Just wanted to show solidarity.

Oh dear, there is no hope for me as I have not only been worrying about my teen in this exam season but also feeling sad if I read a post on here that teens of women I have never met had a bad exam!

😂 ditto!

@MamOfTwo same!

psychology 3 was okay. And was never going to be great as it’s her least favourite psych paper. Just maths to go now. Glad this week is over. Dd even talked briefly about life after exams this morning on the way to work. Can’t actually remember what..

DD also feeling conflicted about leaving, she’s at a 6th form college, so only been a short journey, but she’s really enjoyed it and been there with her friend group that she’s known since primary school. Interestingly I don’t think any of them are straight off to university so they’ll likely be around for the next year, but obviously not all getting the bus together in the morning anymore, and we’re fairly rural so they’re all scattered across different villages.

After the initial response of it was okay, DD is now worried about her firm offer, need Astar in FM! Just read your post and thought, DD felt same after talking to few ppl
And I was told 96% was grade boundary last year. I kept saying don’t worry about it now, but I know she will be worried/thinking about it until we get results .

@Ventress congratulations to your Son.
Sorry to hear Maths wasn't going well for some.
For all the DC who still have exams hope they get a rest to recharge before next week.
DS just has two left he is finished Tuesday. Then off camping for a week. Also booked his first holiday abroad with his gf.
Not seen the other thread about involved parents, was bad enough on the gcse one few weeks ago!
I was once told by a parent that I made her feel guilty as I did so much for my kids whereas she left her DC to it, not sure why as I didn't comment on her parenting was just replying to her questions about what I did at weekends !!

I have read 3 pages of the other forum. That is all I could take. Pretty intense. Obviously I would never write my child's homework or pressure his teachers. His studies are his responsibility.
But taking an interest in his life and future is not "control". 💐to @Ventress
Who doesn't discuss finances and options with their child?! How would he learn financial matters if he is "just left to get on with it"?!
I don't get why spending time and money on education has such bad reputation in the UK.