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Secondary education

Connect with other parents whose children are starting secondary school on this forum.

Original poster

Y13 support thread, anyone?

700 replies

cardibach · 06/04/2014 19:20

I remember our GCSE one 2 years ago. It was a haven! I hesitate to start this as I'm not totally confident of wanting to post DDs results in the end, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
So, how's the revision going? What are the tricky subjects for anyone's DC?
DD is revising steadily, but then she always does and has had some disastrous module results, so not filled with massive confidence. Biology is her issue - she knows and understands it but can't seem to give the examiner what they are looking for. We've had papers back and her tutor says she hasn't answered anything incorrectly, just hasn't said precisely what the examiner wants. Seems so unfair.

I'm stressing. Anyone else?

OP posts:
yourlittlesecret · 09/04/2014 12:32

Hi all. Lots of familiar names here from 2 years ago.
I was secretscwirrels then. I've done a few name changes, just trying to find one I like.
I think I'm not the only one with DC2 doing GCSEs this year as well? As always my two DC are very different when it comes to exams.

DS doing Maths, FM, Physics and Chemistry. Applying to do Maths degree. Needs AAA. He completed the maths modules last year so it's all FM this year. Since September he has been doing past papers, he revises by doing past papers regularly throughout the year. His main problem is the STEP exams he has to do as well as the A levels. It's all making him very unhappy at the moment Sad.

Roll on June. Then we have results day to worry about

FantaSea · 09/04/2014 12:56

secret what are STEP exams?

yourlittlesecret · 09/04/2014 13:19

STEP are evil maths entrance exams required by some unis. Unlike most entrance exams (eg medicine), instead of doing them the autumn before the offer they are done after A levels.

FantaSea · 09/04/2014 14:15

secret oh dear, so the tension will continue for even longer...what uni is your DS aiming for?

bruffin · 09/04/2014 17:14

Secret , i have dd doing gcses as well. She is very good And gets on with it. I came home early today and DS was hard at it with his whiteboard out and calculations all over it, so he is doing something.
Yesterday the whiteboard said

BRB
Gone to the loo
Have my book may be a while

Grin

In someways its a bit easier than gcses as they know what they need to get and its something to focus on with the nect step of their lives riding on their results

Lancelottie · 09/04/2014 17:37

I've got one doing GCSEs as well.

He is busy Putting Off The Evil Day (but has all day at school on a revision course tomorrow).

Original poster
cardibach · 09/04/2014 18:09

Glad I only have A level to worry about! Think I might combust if I had to handle GCAEs as well! bruffin (sorry if I have for that wrong - on phone so can't check!) I think I want to be an OT! Looks really interesting. Tell your DD to volunteer or get relevant work exp - it really helped my DD in interview to have real things to talk about. She volunteers with a disability sports group and loves it.
She's really depressed today. Don't Know how to help.

OP posts:
bruffin · 09/04/2014 18:43

Thanks cardibach
Dd has been volunteering at a SN club since she was 12 and loves it.She has also been offered a few hours a week doing respite care for one of the little boys there, so its good she can earn some money from it as well.

FantaSea · 09/04/2014 19:47

cardi sorry your DD is depressed today - I know what you mean about not knowing how to help. My DD gets overwhelmed with all of it from time to time, and this can take the form of tears to just being very quiet. I used to try and 'fix it' but I realise now that that is impossible so I just have to listen to her moaning. It's hard though.

I think some of the problem for us is resitting some of the AS modules. After results day, it all seemed so doable with the head of year saying things like 'just resit that, oh, and that too' and it seemed like such a manageable task, but in reality is a huge amount of work on top of the A2 work.

Original poster
cardibach · 09/04/2014 21:13

DD is only resitting one AS unit, but even so it's loads of work. She should really be doing a Chem unit but has decided not to. She has just been for a walk on the beach with a friend who is on holiday from Uni, so has done no work (did have after school revision class, so not none at all) but seems a bit happier. Has come in in the dark with sand in her shoes. Often leads to happy child!

OP posts:
FantaSea · 09/04/2014 21:48

cardi pleased your DD is feeling better. My DD is resitting more than one AS unit, which I think in hindsight was not the best idea.

Lindor · 10/04/2014 00:00

Does anyone's DCs sixth form run revision classes through the holidays?

For GCSE it seems to be the norm now, and all our local schools run holiday GCSE ( and termtime after school) revision classes. My DS's college has nothing for A level at all. With so many kids struggling to achieve good grades this seems odd.

Martorana · 10/04/2014 00:07

I wonder why most people on here have dc's doing sciences? No other wishy washy liberal arts types about? Sad

BackforGood · 10/04/2014 00:14

Signing in. ds is still treating his As like he did his GCSEs though - not made the connection between doing the work now, and getting the grades he needs to get to University Sad

BackforGood · 10/04/2014 00:15

Martorana - my ds is not doing sciences - all essay stuff here.

Original poster
cardibach · 10/04/2014 09:09

I wish DD wasn't doing sciences! She's brilliant at essay stuff (will get A/A* in English) but unfortunately needs Bio to go on and made an error of judgement in choosing Chem. She say herself she wishes she had done History instead. Like me (same A levels) she is a wishy washy liberal arts type masquerading as a scientist.
How is everyone today? DD is going to make prom invitations for staff most of the day at school apparently Confused and it's Prize Giving tonight so today will be a proper wash out. Easter holidays will need to be focussed, but she is at her dad's for the first week so I can't supervise (I'm sure he will, but it isn't the same!).

OP posts:
FantaSea · 10/04/2014 09:35

I wish DD wasn't doing sciences but they were her best subjects at GCSE. She finds them so hard at A level though.

We are coming to the end of our first week of the Easter holidays, and there are no revision classes for A level at DD's school.

yourlittlesecret · 10/04/2014 10:54

LindorNo revision classes here during the holidays.
bruffin Ha ha.
Mine are the other way round. DS1 focussed and driven. He certainly didn't work that hard for GCSEs but it's a different story now, he puts himself under so much pressure. DS2, who is normally very laid back, is a master of prevarication. He has rearranged the piles of books and papers, created spreadsheets and colour coded time taables and generally flapped about. He has done some work in amongst it all.

I thought the pressure on them was bad at GCSE but with so much riding on A levels it's much worse.

prettydaisies · 11/04/2014 09:51

DD's doing English lit, but also physics!
She was revising physics yesterday and was getting a bit panicky that there seemed to be parts that she hadn't done.
No revision classes at my DCs' school.

FantaSea · 12/04/2014 12:06

How is everyone getting on?

I am making a real effort not to make every conversation DD and I have about revision. Over the last few weeks, it is all we seem to have spoken about!

prettydaisies · 12/04/2014 13:11

DD has a choir rehearsal this afternoon (she is a chorister at the local cathedral and next week is rather busy!), so no revision. It gives her something else to think about at any rate.
Hope everyone else is finding a good balance.

bruffin · 12/04/2014 13:14

We are watching dh at white water rafting then sraight off to drop ds off at his phyics revision course. He is there until thursday.

Original poster
cardibach · 12/04/2014 18:23

DD is with her dad for the week, so he can have the endless revision discussion! I hope, anyway...

OP posts:
whatsinaname01 · 15/04/2014 14:58

Hello everyone.

I'm newish to MN, i've just found this thread. It's great to have somewhere to let off a bit of stress while remaining a positive, calm Hmm influence at home.

I have 2 DC doing A levels and GCSE's

Trying hard not to turn home life into a war zone!

I want them to have some downtime but it's a fine balance.

Both seem constantly hungry....so forever at the shops.

How is everyone else getting on?

bruffin · 15/04/2014 15:15

The revision course is feeding ds well. He is getting full english for breakfast, he had a roast on sunday then lasagne for tea.He is supposed to make use of the sports facilities for a couple of hours a day but i think he has been sleeping his lunch off.