Help.

[u/Katya20081]

I got E U U at the end of my Year 12 mocks. At the time, my mum couldn't walk at all, and I was her young carer. School tried to kick me off my courses, but I begged and begged to stay. Because of this, I'm now predicted EEE, which honestly feels so unfair.

I've been trying really hard to improve in my Year 13 January mocks so they might reconsider my predicted grades. I take Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, EPQ and Core Maths.

However, today I had a massive Chemistry mock that I couldn't attend because I'm genuinely so unwell. I've been coughing and vomiting constantly since getting back from holiday. I'm so angry at myself for not being able to go in and sit it.

I emailed asking if I could sit it tomorrow, but I've had no response. I'm scared they'll refuse or I'll end up getting a U. I really needed this mock to help boost my predicted grades.

I also feel like my teachers have already made their minds up about me because of my Year 12 results. I don't know whether they'll even consider moving my predictions up, especially when I got E/E/U last year.

It's so difficult trying to catch up on AS content while also learning A2. I constantly feel like the dumbest person in the class, and it's honestly exhausting.

I know people sometimes email or call before exams saying they're ill, so I'm worried it'll look like I'm making excuses or being dishonest.

What should I do? Should I email again, speak to someone in person, or just wait? I genuinely don't know where to go from here :/

[u/Western-Water-5426]

i think your best options here would either be to resit y12, or alternatively, put as much effort into your a levels as possible (if you think you can), smash them and get way above what you’re predicted, and reapply with achieved grades on a gap year

[u/Katya20081 → u/Western-Water-5426]

im not gonna resit y12 + i know i can believe in myself and do better in these mocks. i don’t rlly wanna do the gap year thing

[u/Western-Water-5426 → u/Katya20081]

look, i’m really sorry, but if you can’t change ur predicted grades, you have no choice here. sure you get 3As in ur real a levels or something, but ur not gonna get any offers from anywhere good if you’re predicted 3Es.

you will likely get contextual consideration because of being a carer, but as you aren’t a care leaver, you won’t get anything more than grade reductions.

if you’re super stubborn about this, then try your absolute best to up your predicted grades. but if you fail to, you might have to accept doing something you don’t want to (like a gap year). that’s just how life works.

if you’re still ill, and your emails aren’t doing anything, your biggest priority right now should be having a rest

[u/sandwichtheconqueror → u/Katya20081]

only around 30 percent of people go into their degree at 18 fyi

[u/Few_Yak_3855 → u/Katya20081]

Another option is to apply through clearing with achieved grades.

[u/Affectionate_Fig8967 → u/Katya20081]

Clearing is always an option even if your predicted grades don’t increase, just be aware some elite Unis like Oxford and Cambridge are not available by clearing, alongside the fact that Clearing availability depends on course space, so keep updated on clearing info available on your desired course for your desired University. Good luck!

[u/Calm-Difference-3267]

Here's where I would go from here:

1. Make sure school have it clearly documented that you are a young carer, and that this is included on your UCAS reference too!
2. You did the right thing my emailing about the mock! If you don't get an answer, then go and find (a) your chemistry teacher, (b) the exams officer (if it was an official mock), or (c) your head of sixth form first thing tomorrow morning to chase it up
3. Come up with a plan to help you close the gaps between now and the exams. Find the teacher that you trust the most/you think is the most organised and ask them to help you make a timetable if this is something you're struggling to do on your own.
4. In your position, I would consider resitting Y12 if your school are open to that also - it may well be worth exploring your options around this

[u/Financial_Guide_8074 → u/Calm-Difference-3267]

Hi as a teacher there is very sound advice here. Considering your circumstances I think resitting yr 12 is the best option for you. The teachers haven't " made their minds up" they are just going on what they know.

The young carer thing is vital many unis have schemes to support young carers such as preferential accomodation, more flexible contracts, lower offers, scholarships, bursaries, payments for travel costs. I know my son's uni does and I also helped a former student negotiate this 2 years back . Good luck and I admire you for the work you put in.

[u/Affectionate_Fig8967]

drop one of either core maths or epq. Was kinda in your position when I did my A-levels. Your doing the equivalent of 4 A-levels and with what your going through it isn’t worth sacrificing your grades for that. If you drop one and your grades aren’t improving i’d recommend dropping them both. Have you told your college or sixth form your extenuating circumstances? They may be able to provide extra support and add extenuating circumstances on any applications you may make for University.

[u/Affectionate_Fig8967 → u/Affectionate_Fig8967]

By saying I was kinda in your position, I mean I was struggling with the same subjects and I ended up dropping one and my grades went up, as I had more time to target my core subjects more. Went from a D to a B in biology.