Year 11 GCSE exam support thread 3 - the exam weeks

[HSMMaCM]

New thread for those of us starting the exams.

Keep calm everyone.

I don't know which boards' exams DS is sitting as its a mixture but he was quite cheery that one of the Biology questions was on male genitalia. Only chemistry left this week- next week is busy and with a couple of clashes.

Morning all. About to drive DS the 12 miles to school as we don't trust the bus to get him to school in good time for the 9am exam. First trip of many.

He has a bag full of cakes and biscuits for the Tutor Group leavers gathering later.

Oh my goodness, I'm dreading her science exams, but they are not until third week of June. Nothing for dd today, ( after ICT got binned last week), but the lucky girl has 2 hours of maths intervention after school at the sixth form college

Good luck to all with exams today.

cheese and tranquillity they are the questions DS said were odd as well, that's the Edexcel biology 1 paper He did yesterday.

Nothing here today as it's the Cambridge National IT and he did it in November and got a B so had the option to stick or twiSt and he chose to stick as he thought that was as good as it was gonna get And not redoing it means he's got more time to revise for the 9 science exams he's got .. gone out singing "oh what a beautiful morning" and said he was going the long way so he could walk along the beach way (the joy of now exam is getting to him already)

Good luck to everyone else today and frazzled hope school sort it out.

ICT today. Compulsory subject which DD has loathed since year 7. At least it's out the way early. Apparently there's a 'walking maths' hour this afternoon.

DS has history iGCSE and an A level maths module back to back this morning with no break due to a timing clash. He will be knackered!

dd has ICT this morning. She was wittering on about "routers" and "cables" in the car this morning. "Uh, huh!" - goodness knows what any of it meant.
Although think I finally understood that you can do computer/internet stuff with either "wireless" or "cable" - and some weird third way using the existing electrical wiring in your house? - apparently that's what you need a "router" for. HaHa You learn something new everyday!

Juggling

DD was so much more upbeat this morning

No exams for DS today.

I am feeding him through his GCSEs. We've had banana bread, banana muffins and this evening I am going to make rhubarb tray bake.

Really bad morning. Feeling gloomy.

DD only has to be in school for exams now, I think there may be one or two revision sessions after the hols. As we live ~20 miles away she's decided to go in for the whole day on days when she has an exam and work in the library when not in the exam, and stay at home the other days (like today).

Ooh, what (other than rhubarb) is in a rhubarb tray bake tbtc?

Oh no Littleham, what's up?

That sounds like a sensible plan Errol.

What's up little?

whats up, Littleham?

Talking of vivid dreams, DD has been having a recurring one that she's off on her silver DofE expedition but has forgotten to bring any food. She's a bit puzzled why she's having this rather than something exam related. However, for variety the other night her subconscious went very surreal: PE lesson taught by Nigel Farage, obviously complete with pint in hand. He was dancing with it.

Very tired dd, not sleeping, tears, arguments, spiky, stress, late, can't say anything right. She has an RS exam this afternoon (essays are her least favourite).

Sorry to be such a gloom box. Hope your guys have a good day.

Aww Littleham, I really feel for you and your DD. It is a stressful time.
Thinking of you.

Is this her last RS exam? If so is there a way to have a minor celebration this evening?

Yes - last RS exam today thank goodness. A celebration is on the way because it is her birthday this week. Only trouble is that she has two exams on that day. Not really fair is it?

I did tell her off for being rude (which I probably shouldn't have done) so feeling very guilty. I'll make time today to buy a cake & get some party food. Presents all ready.

Oh Littleham
I sympathise - had a lot of this with DD. They shouldn't "get away" with being rude, but it is hard to deal with it calmly, especially when we are feeling stressed for them. What a time to have a birthday!

odd

CRUMBLE
100g plain flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
75g caster sugar
pinch salt
75g butter or marg

CAKE125g butter/marg
125g caster sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
2 medium eggs
125g plain flour
35g cornflour
1/2 tsp baking powder
pinch salt
TOPPING
500g rhubarb cut into pieces
35g flaked almonds
25g butter, melted
15g caster sugar

1. Preheat oven to 200 C/Gas 6
2. Grease and line 28cm x 18cm rectangular baking tray wth baking paper(?!)
3. Put crumble ingredients in bowl and rub together until resemble breadcrumbs
4. For cake, whisk together butter/marg, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy.
5. Beat in eggs one at a time
6. Sift in flour, cornflour, baking powder and salt, fold them into egg mixture.
7. Pour cake mix into tray, smooth surface and scatter rhubarb over evenly
8. Sprinkle crumble and almonds over top and bake for 30 mins
9. Drizzle melted butter over tray bake, sprinkle with sugar. Return to oven for 5 mins then remove to wire rack to cool.

10. While traybake is cooling, go out for a run. 11. Have shower 12 Sit down with generous slice of traybake, cup of tea/coffee and a good book.

Ooh, that sounds lovely, thank you. :)

No exams today so both Ds were in a better mood this morning. They both had breakfast as well. I have noticed on exams days they miss breakfast because they so stressed.

I will be going out and buying some cereal bars today. Even though it may not be a filling breakfast it better then going on a empty stomach.
Has anyone got any ideas for quick on the go breakfast?

DDs Biology yesterday was "all right" and that's all I got in the report back!
ICT this morning.
DD's already asking when it's 1/2 term ~ she's tired and had enough already!

Yes better mood here too.

Where breakfast was eschewed yesterday, today has seen bacon, beans, toast and cappuccino wolfed.