Year 11 - 2024/2025: Heading down the home straight towards that finish line!

[QueenMabby]

Next thread. 10 days of exams to go. Looks like we’re all heading into a busy week this week - good luck!

@SB1971… if I’m honest, the thought of being out of the house was very appealing!!!! ( if DH can sod off to his hobby, and cast not a mere thought on revision, the idea of sitting in my car, with no mobile reception for most of it, with no thoughts other than judging the utter eejits that can inhabit our roads!! Oh, and whether Sainsbury’s had the bloody ice cream 🍦 in stock! Cause THAT would have been a drama!)!

I hope your Father’s Day drink was fab! ( My plans for DH fell through when he went to pick DS18 up from work…. and he broke down!! ( ironically, with no mobile service!! So they had to schlep to DS18 work to use WiFi for me to rescue! Eve been spent back and forth with RAC 🙄! Oh well, I’m planning a joint nice meal tomorrow with DS Last Exam instead). I bet your DS really enjoyed trip out and definitely ps5 with his mates….. a mental break is so important 💖… How was your curry?! Bet that boosted his mood a treat!! 🤞😸…… I hope he’s happy revision wise, and Good Luck tomorrow!!! 🤞🙏🤞

@DataColour.. hee hee 😹😹😹!! That did tickle me, both the complaint as to lack of free time and the “ grow up “ retort!!…. I love your DH response!!! I didn’t know what to say when DS18 ( not known for being snappy) DID so at me recently when I asked him something trivial.. I got something like “ For God’s sake, Mother, I’ve just finished an 8 hour shift and I’ve got THE SAME TOMORROW “!!! Stunned, I was! What to say to that!? 🤷‍♀️😈🤷‍♀️!

I don’t know much ( anything!) about music, but all I would say is that he will most probably continue to do well on the rest of it, having been doing fab thus far…. It must be very hard having to focus elsewhere, too, it will probably all flood to him when he goes in 🤞🙏🤞…

I also love your “ I’m staying out of it”! Absolutely great call!!! I hope DH was able to impart some last minute wisdom to him 🤞🙏🤞……!

Feeling sad for DS. He hasn't been able to sleep at all tonight which is strange. He woke me up at 1.30 just for a cuddle then I heard him again just now around 3.30am. He's had some very tough weeks but this week is just Physics and Spanish writing tomorrow then he's done. He's not doing physics A level and he can do Spanish writing very very easily. He's been very chilled so far, but it's like all the stress of the past month has just hit him now...he had panic dreams yesterday morning for the first time (being late for exams, realising he'd missed an exam etc). Bless him, not sure what's going on!

Is this a 'thing'? Where it only hits you when it's finishing?

DD has called me in at night time a few times over the exam period. I think she just needs to have company at a stressful time.

Your DS might be anxious about an empty summer ahead or a summer job or something they've seen on their phone.

I hope this too shall pass...if it becomes an ongoing issue, GPs can prescribe anti-anxiety meds but I hope you can try managing it holistically before going down that route.

This is it team! We're almost over the line!

No idea how much DD did yesterday for physics, I went shopping for some of her birthday presents with her brother in the morning, then they were at their dad's. I won't see her now till about 5 when I get home. She has a Spanish revision session after the exam. My parents are taking her for lunch tomorrow as a little end of exam celebration as I have to work (I've already switched days to be at home with her on her birthday).

Morning all! Good luck for Physics 2 this morning. And music this afternoon? Have I got that right?
Not much revision happening here. Dd is DONE. It’s like she just can’t process any more on this. So close to the end now.

Oh, I’m so so sorry to read this about your DS. I think, yes, maybe he is having a “ Oh My God! This is the end of them!!” panic…. because I guess there are so many different things going on in their heads right now! Not least worrying about the results….. but, did they revise enough? What if they didn’t? Do they have a job over the summer? No? But George does, am I going to be less interesting if I don’t have a job? What will happen if they don’t get the grades? Are they happy with their choices for Plan A in September? What will they do in mornings after the exams finish?- the first few, yay! Lie in! But, what about after that? What happens if I end up wasting away the time with nothing to show for it…….? ….🤷‍♀️…

I think it is ABSOLUTELY natural your lovely DS is having a bit of a stress and panic right now. It seems almost odd that more DC don’t. It must be so so hard for you, so take a deep breath, “ this too shall pass”, and take each day as it comes…… wishing you the hugest of luck for today 🤗 🍀 x

Morning!!!!

Good Luck Physics Peeps!!!!! And…… Good Luck if it’s your last exam!!!!!! WE GOT THERE!!!! ( DV, as my mum always says!!)…

🙏🤞 🍀 🙏💖

I can’t quite believe this day has come! Commiserations to those who still have a couple to go but well done to all the DC who will finish after Physics today. Incredible effort. I have so many thoughts now about how GCSEs are not fit for purpose but today I’m focusing on how relieved I am that my DD’s school days are DONE. College here she comes. 😁

Has he had an energy drink? Too much Diet Coke? Strong coffee? First time I had Redbull I literally didn’t sleep all night, and it started to make me feel panicky as your brain is tired but sleep is impossible.

@SE13Mummy the ‘word painting’ does remind me a bit of when I did gcse Ancient Greek after school. Was terrible at it but every time they asked why a word had been used in a poem I wrote ‘for the sake of emphasis’. Got a B! i believe the key word for Purcell is ‘melisma’- use that and you’re laughing.

for the anxious ones -‘I had to sleep in dd1’s bed for at least half of her GCSEs or she wouldn’t sleep at all. This has not resurfaced for a level.. hopefully for yours it is also a passing phase… these are a big deal for young teens - my motto has been ‘whatever gets you through’

hope you all celebrate today if you’re finished. I won’t see dd2 til Friday- when we’re driving down to see her play a solo flute suite in a woodwind concert. Wish I could see her earlier but will have to just hope she calls me.

congrats to all gcse parent survivors. The summer begins!

Thank you @Sisublondie

Good luck Physics, Music and Spanish folks!

Dd is still cramming Physics in the kitchen now. We will both be so glad when today is over.

Poor DS! He sounds completely overtired, like he’s reached the point he’s so exhausted he can’t relax enough to get to sleep. Hope he can get some rest tonight.

Physics. Last day. Finally.

Almost there!

Good luck with Physics, Music and Spanish to all DC! 🍀

Physics and Music here. DD very worried about Music. She wants to do well but did impressively badly in the first round of mocks and it's all come back to her this morning. She could do without having that in her head this morning.
Physics is apparently 'common sense'. No idea why she'd say that, because she's never found it particularly easy!

I hope she does as well as she can results wise, but this time last year it looked unlikely she would be able to sit a single exam. So we're very pleased with how together she's been during the absurdity that are GCSEs.

I also have a few choice words to describe the system (mostly expletives, curses and insults! 😡). As PPs said, this is not learning, but a pointless obstacle course. As well as the best way of exterminating any love of actual learning.

In fact, I'd go so far as to say that GCSE results should have no bearing on what A levels they do. But that's a different story.

I’m done. I just feel physically and emotionally exhausted. I am profoundly grateful that DS has made it into school for each exam - although it’s not over until it’s over I guess and he’s not in physics yet - but my word it’s been a strain. Trying to balance diabetes care with correct fuelling, trying to get him to revise, the arguments, the stress. It’s bloody ridiculous.

I am supposed to be picking him up straight after physics to take him away for a night but half expecting a call to say he’s going out with friends. Which we gave him the option of, of course. We spent all day yesterday arguing so I am not desperate to spend the day with him but DH said it would be good to repair the relationship. It’s the inherent selfishness I need to get over - I am assured that’s normal for teens…

Sorry - slightly off-piste rant there!

Hope everyone is feeling slightly more upbeat than I am!

I am basically hanging on here until Thursday, by which time we will have both sets of A-Levels over as well. It has been an epic month.

Good luck to ALL your children - I was you last year - I then spent most of the summer trying not to think about results day and mostly managing it until the week of . The GCSE process now is so long and drawn out. Everything crossed for them all and for you guys hugs and huge drinks

This is so helpful many thanks.

This is our day after debrief from (space) physics

Well done everyone sounds like a weekend of patient attempts at motivation for a final push.

Good luck all. Thankfully both GCSE and A levels finish today here!

Don’t panic me about Spanish! I had to go and check DD’s schedule. It’s TOMORROW. phew!

Huge congratulations to the DCs who finish today. It’s been a marathon and a half! It’s a huge achievement just to get through it. I would encourage much memory wiping and a promise not to think about results day until at least the night before!

Last day
Thank God

Good luck to all DC in this final week!

Mine are most concerned about Music this afternoon. Not concerned enough to actually do some work for it, of course.

They're confident for Spanish tomorrow and not too worried about Further Maths on Weds. Apparently.