Year 11 - 2024/2025: It’s all downhill from here!

[QueenMabby]

New thread to help us get through the next week or so!

Out of interest: would geography be better? My second will be choosing options next year so might be good to guide towards geog if less content?

@achangeofnameisasgoodasaresti hope the exam goes well for dd. The fact she’s now covered everything is good.

I think Ds should probably revise. He thinks he doesn’t need to 🤔

Thanks DC watched some good videos for English lit but hasn't for history so at this stage anything that helps streamline the info is a godsend!

Dd hasn't got anything til maths on Wednesday
Then the next biggie is english language paper 2 on Friday
Not much revision going on...she has a tutor session for English on Tuesday

I have just given in and found primrosekitten for AQA history - it could be a total disaster but i am slightly relieved that at least what she says for Health and the People is all stuff that he knows well - fingers crossed

The Normans stuff however isn't!

I don't like to say one subject is easier than another because everything is different and children have their own strengths. That said geography has a rep as being more manageable. DS's school had to cajole some of them to take it because everyone was going for geography having been told by siblings etc it was less work. I love history and think it is v interesting, but the GCSE is madly content heavy. DS had a wonderful teacher in year 9 but he has found the one in year 10 and 11 to have a bit of a dry approach. This has led to him retaining less and trying to cram (or not). So I don't know pros and cons I guess

I just asked DS what he would do if he chose again, 'geography - easier...'

It is difficult. I think my next child prefers history and might revise a bit better so will probably be ok with it but it’s such a slog it does make me wonder!

Just asked DD who said they are similar in content (in fact geography might have more) but it is all linked together rather than distinct subjects and it all flows and you are tested on all of it - she loves the subject though and is an a level choice.

History she finds more frustrating but my Dad is an ex history teacher so goes through it with her and marks her papers (he was an examiner for 40 years) so that does help!

Hey, yep sounds pretty similar here! Maths on Wednesday then The Dreaded English Language Paper 2 on Friday… followed by Geography in the afternoon. I’ve never seen any Geography revision and not having any hopes in that regard.

DS also has English tutor on Tuesday ( tried to swap his Thursday Maths one over, but different tutors, sadly!)..

Not sure re how much revision today, I do know he’s had an unexpected desk kip, so he’s clearly shattered. Is your DD on study leave, now?

Hmmmmm. Yes, I have one of those …

……” I have told you…. I can only revise on my terms……”….!!

…. is one of his new half term wonders!! It’s been a few days since he last 🤯so I’m keeping my head well down and any sign revision is going on ( SO hard to tell, tho, isn’t it?! If they are using SME / doing it all online?! “ Back in the day”, when my desk was crammed with text books, I would have to either stash whatever crappy fiction book I was reading at the time or try and fling it before a parent fully entered my room… 🤔😳!)… I’m back to the positive reinforcement or, rather, after I’ve dumped cold water bottle or snack a “ Maths?”…. a sometimes grunted “ yup”…. in reply and I mumble “ cool”… and leg it before I breathe in an irritating way……🤷‍♀️…

So, I wish you well either way your DS and revision….!

In terms of history vs geography, mine is doing both. In terms of what he said to his brother on option picking, geography is better if you prefer having more shorter questions, and history if you like ones with longer answers. In terms of content I think he would say history is worse as you’re doing 4 topics that are all distinct from each other, and not only do you have to know all the factual stuff, you have to know the right way to answer the questions to get the marks too. In the end my younger DS is taking neither! There are only 2 exams for history though compared to 3 for geography.

I don’t feel like DS has done anywhere near enough this week really, though I don’t get involved in the actual revision beyond nagging him to do it.

The exam scheduling really isn’t great this week with nothing until Wednesday but then 5 exams.

@Sisublondiei have no idea how much revision ds is doing. I’m just leaving him to it. I know if I nag I’ll get told off. So I just have to trust him. I know that won’t work with all dc’s.

Did you get to 4pm?! If so, or, even if not- “good job!!” .. ( in a really awful American accent, it usually makes the DS’ inadvertently smile, before going “ Do NOT say that EVER again”.

Your DS comment about Durham Cathedral tickled me!! “ I don’t know how much more I can take in or care about “ .. (sic!).. excellent! He sounds a cool lad 😸! I think creative media sound utterly fab! My friends DD is doing the BTec you mentioned….. bestest ever decision, she says. She is also ND- ASD and she has found her “ passion”. Also, I was thinking about what you have ( and others) said about history. I love how you say he is so passionate about it. He really can continue this alongside anything he does, in whatever form it takes, and just foster his enjoyment of it going forward…. …building on what he has learnt….🤩

On an aside, Northumbria! Ahhh, super jealous! I did four years in Newcastle, for degree and postgraduate, LOVE it! Right now, the beaches would be a godsend!! I grew up near the beach 🌊 (sadly not your coastline!), moved round a bit, DS both born in London and now couldn’t be further away from the sea air to clear my and their head! So, I hope you are able to get out to whichever is your fav when all this gets too crazy! 😻

I think History has 3 exams, well Pearson does...

I hadn’t realised it varied between boards, he only has 2, both 2 hours with 2 topics in each. So he finishes history this week

Oh right. DS has 1hr 20, 1hr 30 and 1hr 50, I think it is

Hi, we didn't get to 4pm but he has been revising since 11am with an hour and a half break in between so that's enough for a Sunday.

Fingers crossed this Creative Media works for him - he is looking forward to it anyway.

I left the NE over 25 years ago with no intention of returning to live but I agree it is a beautiful coastline. I am enjoying reading about Bamburgh and Lindisfarne as that is where I holidayed for pretty much my entire childhood!

@Sisublondie
Exam leave sort of starts tomorrow but it's a a bit odd
Some days going in late, other days leaving early
It seems overly complicated to me - simple soul that I am - they should have just given them all leave after half term.
The reception staff will have lots of confused and stressed Y11s hanging around!

I’m being a simple soul with you, then!

I’m just trying to decipher the Timetable sent out! I think some lessons are compulsory, some not. Some, obviously, they have already had their exams in, so they are to be utilised to revise other subjects….some are noted down as still being in subjects that have finished….. some they can sign out of and come home, provided parents have ok’d it! Yes, I think safe to say a lot of confused Year 12’s, reception staff, and parents!!

I just remember walking to school when I had an exam, and coming home again! Funny old thing, I didn’t have the option to text my Mum and say “ already finished this subject, it’s all pointless, I’ll revise more at home [WILL you?? 🤔!], anyway I’ve got tummy ache, can you come and get me “!

I think tomorrow is a veritable wait and see for a lot of us!
I wish you luck! 🍀

@Sisublondie
You too! 🍀

Oh, what gorgeous places to have holidayed as a child! Has your DS been there? I think they love to see places they hear us talk about so much…

Oh, yes your DS has done a very good Sunday session.. very impressive 🤩.

Our little have to be fully in school for the next two weeks......lots of history being done here.....not sure if that's because she needs to or because she loves it and is avoiding doing Maths or English! 3 exams this week, 6 the week after then 2 more the week after and finished!

Ours are meant to be in, but have had no guidance or information about the lessons, so I’ve talked to DS and worked out days he’ll stay after the exam, and days he’ll stay home or come home early. He really doesn’t want to be cramming for physics (16th June) when he’s got other exams before then.
He has the support from the head of inclusion (is that the new name for the truancy officer?!)

We are off to Northumberland next month 😊💙

DD doesn’t have an exam until Wednesday, maths then eng lang and geography on Friday - a much more relaxed timetable than before half term. She has been doing bits of revision everyday, not as full on as before they broke up but she has less to do now and more time in the week so should be ok!

Now that her illegal study leave has been turned into “don’t you dare darken our doorstep unless you’re in an exam” leave, she will have to be more disciplined, I think. She has promised that she will get up by 9am each morning and treat it like a school day so will just have to trust her. She does seem more interested in organising her camping trip with her friend though 🤨🤣