Y13 burnout!

[ryanboy]

my eldest DC is in Y13.He needs to get AAA in maths ,phys, and chem but is is hoping for A*AA. He has been doing very well so far in his modules, well on target, and is extremely hardworking, but the last week or so he just seems to have crashed and burned.He has been doing a lot of tests at school and seems to be getting worse and worse grades!He says however hard he works it is as though he has 'checked out'.
I think he needs to have a weekend off, do something completely differentbut he won't hear of it.Any ideas?

Also he has had a few panic attacks (a new thing)

As someone who suffered burn out in Y13 (only refused to admit it) I can sympathise. If he refuses to take a whole weekend can you at least get him to take a day or an afternoon to unwind instead?

That sounds really tough! I have a DS in y13 too, it's so hard for them with such pressure for high grades. Mine is very hard working too, and puts so much pressure on himself. It doesn't make him any easier to live with either! I do worry about burn out too. You're not alone!

I wish I could say the same. DS needs A*AA (Maths, Physics, Biology), but is very laid back about the whole thing. He thinks he has plenty of time. There must be a compromise somewhere!

Is there any chance he would go for a run? Sounds silly but it's what mine do - put on headphones, listen to music and go off for half an hour/an hour. It's a perfect high achievers activity because it doesn't take too much time, you can assure them it's good for the brain so it's not a 'waste of time', gives them time to zone out or even think about something they're studying or whatever. They don't need to be good at it - can just plod round the park. As long as they don't go just after they've eaten because a stitch is not good. By yr 12/13 they're not worried about being seen by someone they know either!