Year 11 GCSE Exam Support Thread 2

[HSMMaCM]

New thread ..... (DD not sure about the prom dress she has bought!!!!)

I agree that down time is really important. No point in getting too tired, nothing will go in.

Ds has just said that he's going to catch up on Art coursework this weekend. He also brought me his report (all letters and numbers) which shows predictions of As and Bs so he is happy with that and keen to get on with revision

His maths department have printed off a breakdown of all his maths subjects highlighted in green (stuff he knows), yellow (stuff he needs to brush up on) and orange (stuff he isn't really sure of) - his words

It's really useful because he know where to concentrate his revision efforts and the school have bought into an online math programme where he can do past papers which will be marked instantly. He can do whole papers or just focus on certain topics so yay for school there, brilliant resource

Can't remember (sorry) who posted the picture of their ds's prom suit but I did like it. Are the trousers skinny? Ds likes the suits with skinny trousers but I'd like to get him something he could wear again for interviews, etc. Would skinnies be ok for interviews do we think, or not formal enough? Bit clueless here

That sounds really good on the maths resource.

Prom suit was me fairenuff whole suit is described as slim fit, not exactly skinny but not flares

Survived the prom dress expedition. She now has a short blue / green dress & it is beautiful. I need some .

So do I Littleham as have been doing the same, but don't yet have a dress - that would be too easy!

Littleham, I'm relieved to see your dd has a short prom dress, I was starting to think that dds short dress was wrong. She's very petite, so I think a short dress does suit her.

We haven't got a prom dress yet either. Last week was the saga of who was going with who to the prom and DD was very down about the whole thing. Suddenly on Friday night she and her best friend were asked to go in a four with two boys who they are friendly with, so great relief all round. Now I must brace myself for a shopping expedition.

DD is also petite Dingit, have a look at [www.mumsnet.com/Talk/style_and_beauty/2341896-Prom-dress-help-please?msgid=53443305#53443305 this thread]]. 2 short ones now on order.

That's good news Goat I don't think DD and friends have sorted the who is going with who bit yet.

Yes, those maths identifying sheets are good, aren't they Fairenuff? DD had one too.

Piccy Littleham?! DD is short petite, but wants a maxi dress. She does look fab in body-con as she has an hour-glass figure, but I am wondering if short might be better - off to look at the thread (not that she's fretting yet, like DGodD, it will probably be lastminute.com!)

Goat, there was some of that going on at DD's school too, but it seems to have died down. DD says she is going with her two besties, but has also got a plan with a male friend from primary (who is really lovely) that they could go together if they don't get better offers!

SugarPlum, I LOVE those LindyBop dresses. Will start trying to work on DD

DD says no one will rock up in a very traditional prom dress (costing £300 like some of the ones linked to on that thread) - she was looking at stuff on ASOS!

Oops I am very bleary eyed today and seem incapable of doing a link correctly this morning ! One of the two I ordered is from ASOS BTM. DD took a bit of work on the Lindy Bop dresses but I got there in the end! Just hope one of them is OK as this has been a big distraction, one I needed to get out if the way though.

Those Maths things sound excellent, wish DD had them . Also wish I knew how she did in the mock this week. I need to sit down with the Easter revision session timetable later, or rather DD does.

She likes something a bit different!

That's lovely Littleham, DD would love that ! I also think with something like that she'll get more wear out of it in the future.

Oh yes Littleham, DD would like that too!
Have just spent 20mins with her sorting through clothes (at her request!!!) and she has chucked out 4 carrier bags worth

Lovely colours littleham, here's dds

Having read through these posts I am thoroughly depressed. Nearly all of your dc's seem to be knuckling down and doing revision and at least making some effort whereas my DD is doing nothing outside of school. I am so disappointed in her as she just does not seem to care and is happy just to scrape through. I am so desperate that I am paying her to go into school for a few sessions over easter but they are not in the subjects she struggles with which are maths and science. I have even offered to pay her to have extra maths tuition with her dad and she is refusing this. How crazy is it that I have to bribe her to do something that is for her own benefit and still she wont do it! Its disgusting. She's like its ok, I will just resit my maths!

I just think that these exams are so important for her future but I really have to step back and hope that she will have a change of heart soon :(

Oh bananas how depressing and annoying for you.

Why would anyone think it would be easier to resit next year rather than pass first time - it's just crazy!

Does she have plans for next year that depend on her getting certain grades? Does she have a Plan B?

I think you have to do your best to persuade/bribe her to work, then at least come 20th August you'll know you did your best, even if she didn't.

Yes I cannot understand why she would want to continue with a subject she hates when doing a little bit extra now would probably get her through. It really is crazy but she is so so stubborn and will only do what she wants to do and is happy to scrape through.

She needs 5 GCSE's to go to 6th form college and if she does not get a C in maths will have to resit. She seems happy with that. Tbh she probably will get the 5 GCSe's required. She is on target to get A's in drama and expressive arts which she loves and has just finished ICT coursework which will get her at least a B but the rest are just a chore for her. So its not all bad really, just the maths which I wish she would work at.

I am sick of nagging her about revision and she is sick of me nagging her as well but I just cant seem to help myself. Its not making any difference other than to cause arguments so I really have to try and stop.

Oh dear!

Not much you can do if she won't listen. Had a friend in exactly the same position last year with a dd who hated the academic subjects (wouldn't work, point blank refused) but loved Art & photography. She just about scraped the five C's needed for sixth form and is much happier now.

All the prom outfits are lovely. Keep the pictures coming. Cheering me up.

Oh it is so hard bananas. Do try to stop nagging for your own sake. If she knows that what you want for her is for her to be able to not have to think about maths after this summer but it is up to her then that is all you can do, the rest is up to her.

Agree that if she won't do it then not much you can do. Would it make you feel better to know that DD spent probably half an hour artistically spilling coffee in he sciemce homework as she is determined she will not do it, I said we'd help he to avoid he after school detention but she is adamant.

I think she had given up on Maths until she realised it might stop her doing one of he options then she started working. She has given up on science and I think pretty much on Ethics now her teacher has just retired (ill health) leaving her with the one she doesn't get on with. Geography very touch and go. I hope she is like Littleham's friend's DD and comes into her own in 6th form with Art and Photography, I think she will.

Yes I've tried all that. Telling her if she works at it now then she wont have to ever do maths again. She's not listening though.

At least when it comes to it I will know that I have done all that I can do.

Time for wine I think!

Bananas - DD has a revision plan on her wall, but that's no guarantee of revision being done ... I really want to nag her and check she's doing it and mark past papers for her and and and, but that would just cause an argument.

I long for a revision plan......but no chance. I have to constantly check DS is revising, which is easier now that the computer is in the dining room. Today he's done 1 hour of English then played some games and then another hour of maths. I am really trying to get him to do some of each subject but failing. He's focusing on the ones he got the lower grades on in the mocks. Am hoping we get a school easter revision clad timetable at some point this week. I know he's staying each night this week