Y12 - DD studying

[onedayoranother]

I'm not a big believer in homework during primary years, it did allow me to see what my kids were doing at school though. But I've always believed breaks were breaks. I hated it when my kids would say they had assignments over half terms and end of term breaks. Of course they need to study in the run up to big exams etc, but my daughter is in her room studying now - she has exams after the New Year, just like she had mid terms after half term, but these aren't mocks or anything. Consequently, she can't let go. Either she works, or stresses that she should be. I think she should be relaxing, going out to enjoy seasonal activities and not be thinking about school. Or if we were lucky enough, enjoying a trip. Or maybe even doing a job (she's 16). It's not hours every day, but a significant amount of time.
They go back Jan 5, and they start tests on the 6th. Am I the only one who resents this? She is in school from 8.20 to 4 or 5 (staying to work as less distracting) every day, as well as doing homework at night and weekends. I think holidays should be work free.

I also have a DD in Y12 who has mocks after the break week of Jan 10th. She has homework and also is revising for the mocks. I think it’s wonderful she is so dedicated and taking responsibility for her future. I’d never resent her for prioritising her exams or her education.

I certainly would not be saying “get a job”?! How is that a “work free” holiday break?

See what you can do to support her. I do agree with you that it isn’t healthy to study nonstop or stress too much. Help her schedule her homework and revision with breaks built in so she does get time to relax and enjoy herself.

My DD for example, worked on homework yesterday morning and then went to a birthday party in afternoon that included going out to dinner in the evening. She was able to relax and enjoy herself because we put together a schedule so she knows she is getting all the school work done so it is ok, and actually better for her well being to go have fun.

Look at it as time to teach her about work/life balance.

Y12 should be working... this is an opportunity to consolidate last term and get ahead for next.

I have asked my classes to do some work. It's not excessive, but they shouldn't be sitting there for 2 1/2 weeks doing nothing.

I agree. DD is in year 12. She had loads of pre A level work during the summer holidays. She had revision for assessments during October half term. And now she has Christmas holiday work.

Her mental health is shot. She feels guilty when she's not working and she can't switch off. She basically hasn't had anything resembling a proper break since May. And even then, the fortnight long A level induction courses were looming.

It may well not be huge amounts of work, but it's always there and she so badly needs to stop.

She will be aware that if exams are cancelled again (which is very likely if school is closed again) then these exams she is about to take may well be used to determine her overall grade.

She is certainly not doing mocks after new year - do not see the point of that so early on! And how on earth they could justify using exam results now, just one term in to a two year program, is beyond me.
And I'm not suggesting she gets a job, just that some 16 year olds do have them (and a job is a totally different kind of work to school work).
I'm not just talking about this year - in all years they've had work assigned over half term and end of term breaks. After last years horrific GCSE - with loads of constant assessments which to everyone else looks just like exams, and they may take in to account every paper, attendance, even your participation as part of your grade... stress levels were not building but continual. She started A levels feeling that the pressure was on from day 1 and she dare not slack for a minute.
I hate this exam based system, I think reducing their study to just three in depth subjects very restrictive (and the IB is almost as restrictive). I did not get my education in this country and find it needlessly pressured. It is the system she is in, however, and I must explain it is not her who is complaining (much). But they had an inset day a few weeks ago and one teachers response was to double their assignments as they 'had a day off'. And my daughter laughed out loud when same teacher pointed out that they should be doing five hours per subject outside the classroom (my daughter joked it's more like five hours per day for this particular woman).
A reading assignment is fine. But scheduling exams after a break is awkward. Assigning homework on top is just mean. And who says she is just sitting there doing nothing? We have visited a Christmas market, seen relatives she hasn't seen since first lockdown, tried out a couple new restaurants, been to a film - first one in two years - been ice skating... you know, fun, unpressured, activities.

And how on earth they could justify using exam results now, just one term in to a two year program, is beyond me.

Of course they use exam results. How else can they calculate predicted grades for Uni applications due in 9-12 months from now? They always use mocks/exam results and depending on the A level also factor in results of practicals and coursework. It all adds up.

And who says she is just sitting there doing nothing? We have visited a Christmas market, seen relatives she hasn't seen since first lockdown, tried out a couple new restaurants, been to a film - first one in two years - been ice skating... you know, fun, unpressured, activities.

Sorry you gave the impression in your initial post that your DD was only studying and do homework and had had no time for fun activities at all.

With this update, I have no idea what you are complaining about? There’s nothing wrong with a school system that tests whether the students have actually learned the subject? And it obviously works because despite being a tiny country we have several universities in the top ten worldwide.

Perhaps you thought U.K. schools were like Harry Potter books? All skiving off on adventures but still getting best scores and winning top of the school awards?

Sorry but I hope my year 12s are working. They have a lot to get through so they need to spend some time working during the holiday. I don't expect them to spend every day working but I do expect some to be done.

They have had from mid-June of y11 doing basically nothing until they returned in September. They will get from the end of June of y13 off until they go to university or training in September/October. However, for the duration of KS5, I expect them to work, including during holidays.

My own older DD spent her Christmas and Easter holidays working when at university. Grudgingly she took Christmas Day and Boxing Day off. Cambridge expects their students to work during vacations. School should be no different.

So she's done all of those activities and is not even studying for hours each day?

Absolutely agree with you.

Totally agree. Kids are swamped with homework and it doesn't do their mental health any favours at all.

Also it would be great if that had enough time to have a little job as well, I worked on shop at 16 whilst in 6th form and it really boosted my confidence and gave me a sense of independence, though I did give it up to concentrate on my exams.

I actually hate our curriculum and current attitudes to education in this country.

YANBU but I think your op might be misconstrued and think you are not supporting your child academically but I don't think that's true. Less anxiety and stress aids learning.

I wish my son in year 12 was studying.

My DD has been given work to do this holiday and has a test a couple of days after the start of the new term. She has decided to have the first week off, shopping meeting and catching up with friends, hairdresser visit, and more shopping. Boxing day she intends to start her revision, and making sure notes are in order. A bit of fun and a bit of studying, seems to work well for her. There is a lot to get through so she expects to have to study during the holidays.

My dd learned to successfully balance study, part-time job and going out in year 12. It was good practice for going to uni when she'll have to balance all of those anyway. How many hours a day is your dd doing ?

I'm with feelingoktoday I wish my DS was studying! He is in Year13, taking his A Levels in less than 5 months and will do zero work over the holidays until the evening of the day before he's due back where he'll cram the 'must do's' in with a 'oh well I haven't got anytime left now to make it better'

Unfortunately he's just had mocks and got Bs across the board, 'which is fine' in his words. I despair! For his mocks he did a grand total of 2 hours half hearted reading through notes the night before each exam 🤦🏻‍♀️