GCSE Hamper Ideas

[FerriswheelsKissesandLilacs]

16 yo SD is sitting her GCSEs this year and as we won't see much of her over the exam period I want to put together a little hamper to remind her we're thinking of her.

She has AuDHD and is a little "young" for her age but very bright and hard working.

So far, I've got on my list:

• Stationery bits (index cards, cute post-its and page tab stickers, highlighters, black pens, coloured pens- anything else? (Or do they actually not need any of this and do it all on computer?)
• Stress balls and fidget/sensory toys
• Calming sand art timer
• "Find and colour" activity for brain breaks
• Favourite drinks and snacks (she's medicated and sometimes forgets to eat)

Any other ideas?

My kids did revision on apps but also printed out past papers so needed stationery like pens but didn’t use highlighters and sticky notes. I’d get sheet masks or a candle/diffuser assuming that’s appropriate for her “age”

Definitely stationery, coloured pens, highlighters,revision cards, post-its etc
some sweets?? You can also get little knitted animals with good luck messages on Amazon, or other good luck gifts…

For the actual exams she won't be allowed to take in any of those things apart from a water bottle if it's clear and free from labels, but for revising at home they all sound useful!

All sounds lovely for her revision at home, for her exams she will need black pens, clear pencil case with pencils, maths equipment etc.

Yep, she has all the basics and I will probably pick up a maths set, but this is just nice things for making studying at home a bit nicer. She'll be with us for some of the time so we'll be making sure her room is tidy and the desk is clear (DH uses it as an office when she's not here) and will also be organising a few days of holiday clubs for my 5yo so she has a bit of time where she can focus without noise or interruptions, but mostly it's just so she knows that she has our support when she's not here, which is most of the time.

My DD would like... (or likes because we already have it!)
Revision cards and a card holder so they don't get lost
A desk organiser pad
Highlighters and post its (in lots of different colours
Hot chocolates
Jelly beans to top up her jelly bean jar
Plain and lined paper

For now... cosy jumpers. Probably not in the summer though.

All great ideas. What kind of desk organisers are cool with the kids nowadays? Like a weekly planner type thing? I had a big sheet of blotting paper on my desk which used to get filled up with doodles and notes and then replaced with another one.

Bath bombs / facemask / hot chocolate? As a break from the studying?

Oh what a lovely idea! I'd also say a notepad. Whilst it's all on screen it's not healthy to stare at screens the whole time and more will go in if written down. Love the varied stationery.

Maybe some healthy snacks too but obviously they go off quicker like some nice fruit she likes or maybe dried fruit? Too many sweets will give her sugar lows and won't be helpful especially if she has adhd.

Good luck!

Blu tac to stick mind maps all over her wall. Or is that just my DS?!

SnapRevise flash cards for whatever subjects/texts she is studying

Wireless earbuds if she doesn't have them already - my son always has one in listening to relevant podcasts etc

Pillow spray/relaxing pulse point oil

Jellycat or similar as a good luck mascot 🥰

Lovely idea.

And a transparent water bottle.

All of the above. I also added vitamin gummies, rescue remedy, and nice bath and pampering products, as well as a good luck card.

This is lovely idea! Some nice new socks? I love the feeling of wearing a brand new pair of socks, she can wear them on exam days for the first time if she's like me?

Aww I like this. It’s beneficial for them to do revision mind maps, so maybe some A4 or A3 paper?

https://spacemasks.com

for after the exam ?

This is such a lovely idea, OP

Lovely idea!
Maybe you could do an envelope or wrapped box for each exam with a little note and treat inside for her to open afterwards?

Sadly she's a very fussy eater and won't eat any fruit (in any format), nuts, dark chocolate or anything like that. She does like popcorn but not in a packet, only freshly made, so I will put in a few bags of microwave popcorn- at least that's a wholegrain and will give her some fibre.

All of this sounds amazing and so thoughtful of you.
What about a voucher for something she would really enjoy as a treat to look forward to after the exams.
Sometimes they can feel so all consuming for kids and it’s nice to have something to focus on when out the other side.

This is so lovely and thoughtful! My dd loves her affirmation water bottle, I don't think it'd be exam suitable but might remind her to drink when revising and says really cute things like "you're doing great" "you're loved" etc, could include her favourite drink too

Maybe some handcream, lip balm etc, I used to get really achey hands typing or writing.

Something to help her relax/stay calm (there are calming lavender sprays and the This Works pulse point calming thing is nice, think its called Stress Less)

As well as beat you e mentioned, I also put in relaxing scented candles (depends on the maturity) lavender body, room and bed sprays, relaxing and reviving body washes and comfy socks. Maybe a book to take her mind off the exams if she's a reader or such like. Good luck to her. 😊

A pulse point de stress oil. And my dd really liked this glass thing for writing on- let me find a link…

Our neighbour made me my own exam "massage" oil which I actually took in to the exams with me. Can't remember what it was but I'd rub it on my wrists and found it really relaxing. Not sure how I was allowed to take a plastic bag with a glass bottle in to the exams!

When my daughter was doing her GCSEs I made her a lucky dip bag with a good luck helium balloon attached to the handle. It was full of treats and goodies to encourage her to revise - a treat a day. I did have to top it up and some days she took more than one - but she really loved it.

Mine uses a small whiteboard and wipeable marker pens for writing out notes and practicing diagrams and calculations.
It's also magnetic so she sometimes sticks thinga on it temporarily.
Big big fan of fluffy socks as well, and also has a cutesy colouring book for downtime.