GCSE 2018 no. 6: stress, struggles and success (hopefully) *Title Edited by MNHQ*

[mmzz]

New thread for GCSEs 2018

Kick and anyone else with exams today - very best of luck! Hope your dd is OK, Kick.

I know they did, but I'm religiously quoting the figure of 2 Teen to keep DD's expectations grounded. It's proof that none of us should be expecting 9s as a right, especially as the powers that be are clueless as well. DD isn't the cleverest in her school, but the drama queens are below her, but still seem to think they have a right to get 9s.

Spanish exam, year group photo, a school memorial/celebration, all topped off with an NCS event here today. My throat has just gone dry. It's finally starting!

...and they're off again!

DS1 headed off to geography this morning cheerfully. Good session of revision yesterday afternoon/evening so I think he's ready for it.

Managed to get a bit more out of him about the history exam, I think he quite enjoyed it! So pleased he got started with a 'good' one as it's helped his confidence.

Best of luck to the fellow geographers today - turn your papers over in 15 mins

Thanks mmzz I suggested that but he s reluctant to go and ask and luckily doesn’t think it will make too much difference. At least he knows and is expecting it.

Good luck sandy's DS for Geography!

I so wish DS's school had stayed with the Cambridge Geography instead of moving to the OCR one that has put him right off doing it for A level. Last year, 37 out of 120 boys chose Geography A level; in DS's cohort, it's currently 6! Shows how a new syllabus and mocks harshly marked by (possibly) slightly panicked teachers can affect choices!

Yes good luck geographers. DD has Art today and tomorrow. Our two dogs decided to set up a 4.15am barking chorus to greet the start of GCSEs - they have form for this, not sure how to stop them.

I'm afraid that DS2 is possibly one of those kids who makes others stressed (without intending to). Because of his ASD, he answers every question factually and truthfully, rather than tactfully.

Example 1:
After the French oral, one of DS2's friends was seeking support as he felt his had gone really badly. He asked DS2 how his had gone, and DS2 replied that his had gone really well and he was pleased with how he'd done.

Example 2:
DS2's group of friends were discussing revision progress, stressing about how much there was still left to do. DS2's contribution was to let them know that he has finished making revision notes on every topic in every subject (this is true) and all he has left to do is more practice papers and consolidation.

He is very honest, but not always sensitive to what others need to hear.

New here. DS currently doing his first written exam (Geography). I'm worried I've been too lackadaisical, seeing what your DC are allup to. DS hasn't done anything at home since his mocks. Says they're revising constantly at school. Eek.

Spanish oral went well apparently and dgd was relieved she didn't get set 2 questions as she always messed up remembering responses on that set for some unknown reason. She also said it wasn't as bad as she thought it would be. Good luck to all with exams today!

ScoobyGangMember - did the school not set revision homework? Maybe your DS goes to a school that prepares them really well in school, and with longer hours than usual, and over two years that would offset a lot of the benefit of having been revising since February / March / easter etc

I think confidence has a major part to play in exam success. So, I wouldn't start panicking now. However, it might be an idea to try a past paper or two. even if he knows the material inside and out. its helpful to know how to manage your time in exam and recognise types of questions. And if he's unsure of anything, a past paper will help him work out what he needs to revise.

Thesecond hopefully as its his friends they know what he is like and that no alternative motive was behind his remarks.......Well done your DS to be so on top of his revision, I'm sure his hard work will be rewarded!

I think the best way of getting yourself to become stressed out is to ask a bright, diligent fellow student how much they know.
If they reply that they are ready and confident, it makes you feel bad.
If they reply that they are worried about one thing, or are not feeling confident generally then you'll think: "if they aren't up to it, then where does that leave me?".

I'm going to suggest strongly to DS that he avoids exam preparation comparisons with anyone (weaker, stronger, same level) and under no circumstances should he indulge in a post-exam analysis because that is guaranteed to make him feel bad!

BTW ...tassomai... what a fantastic suggestion that was! Ds has been doing it for 10 days now and is on 20%. he's never going to make 100% for the paper 1s (I am thinking maybe 50%?), but he says its making a difference already to his knowledge and confidence.

My dgd admits that though she has done a massive amount of revision each and every day apart from when she was in hospital she feels that instead of being ahead of schedule she us behind! That does t give me a lot of confidence but what will be will be as long as she gets that English language grade ( last mock was a 6 nearly a 7 which is a vast improvement) I know she will pass the rest even if they are not 8s and 9s and feel it us not worth worrying about it at this late stage. I was pretty relieved we had no tears yesterday before or after Spanish exam. I have drummed it in to DVD to try very hard to keep emotions on check and let her mind come to the fore. If she worries or panics she could drop down lots of grades so now is the time to get a grip on nerves and not let them rule you. Easier said than done I know but oh so important in exams.

So thank you Teenmum and everyone else who reviewed it.

DS actually likes it when his fellow peers have different answers to him............

Dgd tried a similar app mmzz beginning with s, Seneca I think and its free. Said it is a great app. But she has done quite a bit but is finding her way of revising is what she will stick to.

Dgd told one of her friends not to keep asking others how they got on as it might be detrimental to her confidence and not to worry about how others do. She gave her friend a hug and reassured her she will be fine and to stay focused on what she is doing and block out what others are saying about how they are doing.

DS says his friendship group rarely talk about revision or the exams, lots of chat about what they are going to do after........I wonder if its more a girl thing?

Could be bluebelle. I know dgd said a girl who was apparently is very bright with an IQ of 167 and was in all the local papers was crying after her Spanish oral and had to be escorted by a couple of friends to the toilet which unsettled everyone in the class awaiting their exam. My dgd thought it ridiculous as everyone knows (cos she constantly brags) how bright she is and surely she could have been a bit discreet and did her crying privately so as not to upset everyone. I said I agreed but she probably has a lot of pressure on her to do well. Dgd went off in huff muttering don't we all?

Got to go be on tonight. Have a good day all!

Blubelle thank you...cant wait for our trip to Kew. I agree it will be a relief to start getting on with them.

Good luck to all sitting exams today. Practising German speaking with ds this evening for next week. I dont understand a word but can help by reading out questions.

Thesecond DD would be more than happy to discuss how it went with your DS. It's the glossy, flicky haired girls in her sets who are trying to get everyone to tell them how marvellous they are and claiming to have panic attacks and asking if they can wear dark glasses in their French speaking exams so they don't have to look at Miss who are driving her to distraction. The DC who genuinely may get straight 8s and 9s are quietly getting on with studying whilst wearing noise cancelling headphones to block out the histrionics!

the glossy, flicky haired girls in her sets who are trying to get everyone to tell them how marvellous they are and claiming to have panic attacks and asking if they can wear dark glasses in their French speaking exams so they don't have to look at Miss

This made me smile! I'd forgotten about the drama queens (having left them behind 35 years ago). The one I knew typically got Cs, and maybe one B (in a system where a D was a fail).

I think DD has probably inherited my intolerance levels.

Scooby Do not fear. I compared notes with a chum last night after DD's rant about revision claims. This weekend DD will be going to work for a day and going to see the Avengers movie. Chum's DC will be going to see the Avengers movie, going to watch a match and going clothes shopping. They've both been revising in school and at after school sessions each week and although they are unlikely to get straight grade 9s(!) they are both going to get decent enough grades to move them onto the next stage.