GCSEs 2018 (13) Untwisting our knickers, lucky for some!

[Stickerrocks]

Thread 12 Link to the thread with our potted histories. Now the end is in sight.

Beenrumbled are you the last one to finish with 21st June?

@Sostenueto your post last night had me a bit worried that things have deteriorated for you. I know you are having such a tough time right now. It's been said before but you have been incredibly brave.
The weekend away in London was a lovely final touch. When your DD and DGD get back and you tell your family what has been going on with you, I'm sure they are going to be upset and worried, but I think they will also be reminded of your strength and how much you love them. I wish you all the best.

We had the first exam and also have the last exam on the 21st......😭

Ds is having a lie in until 8am 🙄 and going in for Tech later.

Teenmum DD1 is a conscientious type so as she knew the topics for History and set texts for English Lit A Levels she started her reading over the summer.
It was by no means compulsory but she says it did give her a nice head start and she felt a step ahead for most of the first term.

Not sure if the same could be done for more maths/sciencey types - possibly read the spec and start reading around subjects?

She did also start thinking about universities, particularly looking into subjects and courses she was interested in and then making lists of places to visit.

HesMyLobster Thank you

No exam for DS today, just a day of study for Physics tomorrow and then he's finished! 11am on 16th June has been in the calendar so long that I can hardly believe it's nearly here!

Then it's another long wait. Results day is 10 weeks today.seems ages away now.

However I am firmly in denial that DD2 is close to looking at unis!
I just can't start thinking about that yet - won't have the headspace for it until DD1 gets her results in August and we know for sure where she's going!

Can I ask what approach your DC have taken in deciding which uni/courses to go look at for open days. DD only has a rough idea of what she might want to do but we haven't really started looking st the specific unis - apart from a couple of the ones no doubt we will go see. Should we start there?

Not sure DD is ready for open days either yet but based on what you are all saying I am wondering whether we really should look into this.

In case you miss buying study guides there are ones specifically to prepare for starting A levels. We have bought some after tesukts day just to work through.

Here are some matgs examples. Other subjects are available

bridging the gap

CPG headstart

Sorry for typos. I mean that we bought some in the past for older DC. Not yet.

It's certainly worth starting to think about Slinky, if she has a rough idea of course then start looking at some uni websites for differences in content/admissions criteria etc.
Then possibly plan to go see a couple in September.
Open days tend to be September/October and then June.
It's worth bearing in mind that applications for medicine/veterinary/Oxbridge need to be in the September of yr13, so only just over a year away (and the September/October open days next year may be too late)

Don't want to panic anyone though, many will want to wait until after GCSE results, especially if 6th form/A level choice is grade dependent.

Peggy great advice - thanks!
Sostenueto hope you're ok - as you can tell we're all thinking of you
Very best of luck in any exams today. DS is revising physics, which he's fairly happy with, and that's it!

I've gone into overdrive since DD has decided she would like to go down Medicine route because I think most of her year group who want to go into medicine have already arranged appropriate work experience whereas DD's WE was going to be Interior Design. I;ve drafted out two emails to friends who work in Medicine (one with a research charity children's health) and one to a Practice Manager but I haven't sent them because I dont feel comfortable with making the request - although they are both lovely and I am sure they would try and help DD... or whether I should just leave this summer and DD can start to arrange some appropriate work experience in yr12 (although that may be too late)

Also not sure whether DD should be indicating to the school that she wants to change her DT A level to Chemistry - or whether just to wait until 23rd August when everyone in school will be available ...I think DT teacher will be upset ..

DD quite likes the luck of Leicester Med School...although dependent on GCSE's (and A's for A levels) she knows she may have to look at Graduate Entry Medicine further down the line.

@HesMyLobster ditto! When I saw the conversation I thought to myself "That will be relevant to DS one day.".
Then I realised that everyone was talking about taking our current year 11 DCs to the open days this year! Noooo, It's too soon! In my mind, University = leaving home.

The one thing DS1 is definitely going to do over the summer is so me reading for his History A Level. We already know the topics so easy to do. For instance one is Peter the Great - which was my absolute favourite topic when I did A Level. There are some great biographies and PoG was a fantastic character. Will be useful for long holiday drives to keep him from squabbling with his siblings.

Thank you all for your heartfelt wishes and concerns. It is something other than my deteriorating health extra to worry about which is too long winded to go into but it will make my life a bit harder but nothing I won't be able to sort out (eventually). It means a lot to me that you all are concerned as I only have a tiny family and it is well appreciated that you all care you lovely people!

Can't wait to see dgds reactions when she gets off train tomorrow after physics exam, the final one! Is then rushed home to change in an hour and on to coach for surprise weekend in London with her mum. It will be epic!

Must remind her to get doggy bag from savoy after her high tea!

Sost sending love and support. Hope you and DGD and DD have a ball in London!

DD is supposed to be in school but after hearing about the "revision sessions" this week were basically disruptive kids shouting and throwing balls of paper around I'm taking her to her best friend's house to revise there (her best friend goes to another school).
Physics tomorrow and German next week.

@Sostenueto - you seem to have so much to contend with but are always so cheerful. I'm in a grump today but that's mainly to do with less than four hours sleep and 15 hours out of the house yesterday on a work trip. Blessed day off tomorrow though.

Sost for your worry

Excited for the surprise London trip [glitterbal]

Glad your OK Sost....your a fighter and I am sure what ever it is you will overcome. Hope your DD/DGD has a wonderful weekend ...I'm looking forward to taking girls into London too..although i'm being dumped before and after the theatre.

I have a happy teenager because she;s managed to get tickets for the 5SOS tour (pre sale)....

Good luck to your DC jufus I'm not going to London with dd and dgd as I will be elsewhere. Hope I get a souvenir though!

sandy put your feet up and eat have a or watch or a box set and have a rest!

Thanks teen

@Sostenueto - I'm afraid I have to go to work but my boss isn't in and I have no meetings so how much work will happen today is anyone's guess

Teen ask about work experience. If they have a system that means they can’t arrange anything as you have to apply with a CV and be put on a waiting list it is best to know now as it takes time. Also best to start doing some in case DC don’t enjoy it at all.

One of mine did some speech therapy work experience. Fainted out cold watching someone have a laryngetomy valve changed. Her best friend is just finishing her speech therapy training, having been inspired by DD’s experience!

Another work experience was as an assistant at a solicitors for a whole summer when at uni. Great experience in criminal and family law departments, attending court, supporting the team and clients. Amazing. Then it dawned on her it wasn’t what she wanted to do after all. It was tough actually but she starts her dream job next month in a different sector.