Y13 support thread, anyone?

[cardibach]

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?

Dd just texted. WJEC Biology continued the trend with some "weird" questions. DD and her colleagues answered them the same so she thinks it was ok.

DD does WJEC Bio too and thought it was ok(though with one question she couldn't work out due to weirdness). Fingers crossed.
She's going to the beach now and will start tomorrow again for Chem and final Bio. Hope everyone else has had a good day.

That's good Cardi, hope she has a great evening after all the stress.

Good day here too - AQA biology was good - nothing weird!

OCR biology here and it was ok, DD is reasonably happy with it. This unit has overshadowed so much of year 13 it is a huge relief to get it out of the way. Pleased all the other biology papers were ok, we can all relax for a bit until next week

I want wine too - gallons of it and chocolate but on a diet

Had the large glass of Was lovely! Toast: Here's hoping all our DC show their capabilities in the coming week- almost final week for us - of exams.

Glad most people think exams have gone okay. supporting my Ds with this I just realise how important this stage is and what pressure. Remember that uni felt less of a hike than reaching A' level standard for me.

Yes, only two to go for DD! I am not too worried about Biology or English but she desperately needs the A in Chemistry or she will have to resit next year.

I think A levels are the most difficult exams by far. At uni the exams were written by our lecturers based on their lectures to a large extent so I always felt that we were almost guaranteed to pass. Nothing really counted in the first year either, just pass/fail.

Yes, I think A levels are designed to fail some students as they need to help Universities select, whereas once you are there they have a vested interest in you passing and are more likely to set exams which enable you to show what you know. A levels are an arse (bunch of arses?)
2 more here, Chem Tuesday and Bio Friday. Can't wait for the weekend!

I agree, A levels are the hardest exams.

Four more to go for DD - C3 and C4 maths plus the long Biology and Chemistry papers. She is dreading Chemistry the most. At least it is the final week and then it is done, it feels like it has been going on for months.

Fanta - it has been going on for months really. All the preparatory work - my Ds is petering out tonight and his NM in Further Maths needs attention.
He is drained and has to find that last bit of zing to get him through this week. All that adrenaline wastes them!

12 exams here - 5 to go!

We have to keep them buoyant don't we!

summer DD is flagging too I'm afraid, she was running out of puff last week. She still has 4 to go. She looks completely washed out and exhausted but I have said to her that this time next week she will be finished and then she can properly relax. You are right, it is not just the exam period it is the months of preparation beforehand, so it is no wonder they are wiped out. What is NM in the further maths? I haven't heard of that as DD just does normal maths.

DS also flagging.
Exams have been going for months- DS started revision back in Jan.
Weekends have been curtailed for far to long.
When all exams have finished we should have a virtual MN party! Lots of real and .
Four exams left to go for DS and 2 GCSE's for DD

It is reassuring to know that other DC are in the same boat, but obviously difficult for all of them. The first week of the AS resits, DD was falling asleep in her supper, like a toddler would, literally falling asleep at 7pm eating!

whatsinaname the virtual MN party sounds great, unless we are all too drunk to post

Wow be prepared for when the exams are over! DS finished on Fri with Gov pol (went ok, another cautiously optimistic but thats his answer to everything), he had his mates around for a few drinks. I went out at 4 am and told them they had to go to bed because graduation was in just a few hours. They were back here last night then onto elsewhere for the football. last text from DS about 4am. I think I can see a pattern forming ;-) I really dont mind I think they have earned some time to blow off steam. Graduation was lovely, I may have had a speck of dust in my eye howled outrageously but not in public.

Isthiscorrect thank you for the warning! I can see similar on the horizon with DD. Pleased the graduation went well - parents are excluded from the leaving celebrations at DD's school, so it is lovely you are included in that way.

isthiscorrect Was this an older DC graduating? Seems like only last week I was howling watching the primary school leavers assembly.
DS still has 9 of his 15 exams to come, including the most important ones. He is worn out but won't slow down. He has managed a couple of nights out a week, not really late but at least a break. Apart from that though he is putting about 10 hours a day in.
It occurs to me that there might be a massive downer when they are finally finished.

I for one will breathe a huge sigh of relief.

secret I was thinking about the primary school leavers assembly too! It seems like yesterday to me too, and it was 7 years ago. I think they will all be at a bit of a loose end when they have finished, but I will also be breathing a huge sigh of relief. I can honestly say that the whole A level experience has aged me about 10 years!

FantSea I thought GCSEs were hard on DS1 2 years ago (and I have DS2 just finishing his GCSEs) but there is no comparison with A levels.
DS2 has a taster day at 6th form in a couple of weeks and then we are going away on holiday. I think DS1 may have forgotten how to relax.

secret I was thinking how hard GCSEs were too at the time, but A levels are so much harder. I also think that DD has forgotten how to relax, and I feel that I have too!

Well, Chemistry has made DD cry again this morning. I'm really worried about it, although she doesn't strictly need it if she gets the B in Bio. I just want her to pass, but she is really struggling with this last unit. She is going to meet a friend tomorrow to work on it together, then again Tuesday morning before the exam. I hope she can get on a more even keel with it or she won't be able to do even the bits she normally can :(

Cardi It's awful when they get upset. I think being so tired is a big factor, they are so worn down.
The end is in sight though for them all, although I know that won't help the worry.
She can only try her best.
Fingers crossed and hugs for them all

cardi we have had tears over the chemistry today too - DD wasn't all that happy with the first unit of the A2 and this is worth more so it is more of a worry. As whatsinaname says, being so tired, it doesn't take much, and they are all tearful and upset. It is so hard, I feel like crying myself, but that isn't an option really is it? Fingers crossed for all of them this week.

No Fanta, I don't suppose it would go down very well if I burst into tears and sobbed about how hard it all is
That's why this thread is handy for a good virtual howl!