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?

You’re a great step-mum x

Very thoughtful ideas. What about taking her out halfway through the exam period for a break or celebrate that she's halfway through?

And/or when it's all over!

We normally see her in May half term but she's decided that this year she'd rather stay at her Mum's and focus on her exams - we'll see her in April and again after her exams finish in June. Maybe that would be a good time to book a weekend somewhere, I think she'd like Blackpool.

She actually has a big A frame Whiteboard in her room but she's not used it in years. She used to use it a lot when she was little. I'll put it out and get some pens and erasers for it. 🙂

Most of it sounds great.

I wouldn’t get this for someone with AuDHD who needs to revise - too distracting / easy to get sucked into doing more activity and less revision.

• "Find and colour" activity for brain breaks

For the same reason I’d probably avoid any stationery that’s too interesting, or anything to do with planning where she can spend hours doing the planning rather than the revising,

(Just speaking from personal experience here!)

This is unbelievably cute and thoughtful, I’ve not heard of this before! All suggestions are fantastic! I can only add maybe a cork board and pretty pins to put up flash cards etc?

Relaxing bath salts, lavender oil, aromatherapy roll ons for energy/relaxarion/concentration.
Vitamin type products?

A wall calendar that she can write the dates of her exams on and plot her revisions sessions accordingly.
I find it really helpful to be able to physically see the exam dates and the spaces between them etc. in order to be able to visualise the best approach to revision.

You sound so thoughtful and kind. What a lucky girl she is 😊

Pads of a3 paper for mindmaps. Printer access for papers.
encourage handwriting - it’s got more memory benefits and they need the stamina - many GCSE’s 1-5hr+, I think the longest is 2hr15 and they should be writingpretty constantly

Lovely idea.

If you get her gel pens as the coloured ones, make sure they are quick dry or dry ones, especially if left handed.

A timer so she can give herself breaks, especially screen breaks.

I find things like this helpful too for shutting things out and concentrating on the task in hand, even when cleaning sometimes if it's jobs I really don't want to do but won't take long if i knuckle down. (you can get shorter ones, this was just the first recommended to me on YouTube when I looked for the example)

My DS sat his GCSEs last year and I did an advent calendar, one day for each exam…possibly over indulgent, yes, but he’s an only child so it was quite an easy thing to do (and I don’t have to repeat it!) I did mostly sweets/chocolate, but also the occasional book voucher/work bits you’ve mentioned.

2 hours 30 if they do Eduqas, English Lit 🫠 takes it to over 3 hours for extra time, it's so unfair!

Love this. Have you seen the visual timers too?

Some things to remind her that it's important and a good idea to switch off from exams too. Maybe a nice new book to read or something to do with a hobby she does?

• Mug with LOADS of hot chocolate/tea/coffee (whatever she’s into) - when I was starting GCSEs my headteacher told all parents that the best thing they could do to help exam stress was to make cups of tea. I’m now 30 and to this day hot drinks get me through stressful tasks.
• Stickers for her laptop or notebook cover. This is a huge motivator for me! Attractive surroundings makes me feel organised, capable and empowered.
• Something scented for her room - for me, a scented candle or diffuser keeps me grounded and my mind clear. That helps me concentrate much better and for much longer.

Hot chocolate definitely!! The Christmas hot chocolate stand here is staying until exam I think!! Also biscuits? I know I don’t want to use food as a reward but sometimes a little sugar is what is needed! Ohio of hot chocolate station (thank you Amazon!!)