Before continuing, I’ll just say I’m trying to make sure this does not become a Pit thread.
Anyway. Back to the point. GCSEs are very, very important things indeed. Apparently. That’s what my teachers tell me. All I know is that they’re exams and if I don’t do well I’m screwed for life. Huh. I’m doing ten subjects (which translates to seventeen exams in a four week period) and the first ones are on Wednesday and I am in the process of freaking out.
I have studied. I have revised. I have fairly good predicted grades (eight A*s, one A and a C) and until this morning I wasn’t worried. But now I’m on study leave, I’ve been given my centre number, my candidate number, and all the rules and regulations, and I’m scared.
I need to know I’m not alone, basically, and I’m sure I’m not. I will ask if anyone else is doing them, but I may possibly be the only British Doper who is the right age, so instead I’ll ask if anyone’s associated with someone who’s doing them.
And before I went into all this, had you even heard of these bloody exams before now? I find myself having to explain what they are more and more often, and it’s somewhat disconcerting when they are currently the centre of my universe.
sigh
Help.
Well, I have no idea what the GCSE’s are (I’m American), but I can certainly empathize with someone who’s suffering from exam stress.
Best of luck. I hope you do great.
You’re not alone - it dawned on me earlier just how close they are. Mine start on monday and i still have a full week of school with no study leave, even though i have 6 exams before the week off. I’m in all of the top classes but that means i have some of the worst teachers (we’re meant to be talented enough to help ourselves) and so im less prepared for this than id like to be.
On monday i have humanities in the morning then RE Islam in the afternoon and i would like As in both of those. I have already done german listening and speaking and my music terminal task but this is getting serious. Just thinking about this now is making me shake with fear.
Do you have english literature on wednesday? That is the one I’m dreading most because I’m aiming for A but i have no notes in my books yet because we were only just told that we were allowed them. I hate my school for the shoddy treatment the higher classes get.
English Lit and Drama on Wednesday, Salty Captain. This is the last year we’re allowed annotations in our books - To Kill a Mockingbird and the AQA Anthology in my case. But you know, I don’t use annotations. You’re not allowed very many and I don’t really use them in any case.
I’m in the top sets for my subjects, too, but I don’t share your problems - I have fairly good teachers and I wish you had the same, as it’s not fair what you’re describing.
No idea what follows Wednesday, though - maybe Biology the week after? Then perhaps Maths I. Or History I. Or maybe English Language I.
Oh, crap.
For english literature my books are an inspector calls, the warden (the worst book i’ve ever read, it can be summed up by adding a single word to the words already in the title) and the ocr poetry anthology. If i don’t make notes I’ll fail.
This weekend i only have to prepare for RE, humanities, english, german and music because the others are after the week long break. I think my school is one of roughly six who aren’t on study leave already, or so i heard today. What’s annoying me now is that my teachers assume that we don’t have any exams on the days we’re supposed to have their lessons so of course we have a whole week of lessons left for each subject. No need to prepare us yet then.
I just keep trying to remember that in just over 3 weeks it will be over and I’ll have 12 weeks off and 2 weeks in America. I haven’t been on holiday in years!
GCSE’s ** are important, ** since they help you to choose your AS/A-level subjects, and therefore help you select your career path. But don’t stress yourself too much over them. Many friends of mine achieved nothing higher than a C for their GCSE subjects and they aced their A-levels!
You seem pretty smart - * don’t * freak out, they’ll turn out to be much easier than what you’re prepared for. Good luck, and let us know how they go. 
Btw… what GCSE subjects did you select?
I had to take one in english last year, when I was in grade 9, which struck me as odd… I always thought it was only the graduating students that had too. But whatever.
I didn’t really study for them, as I find myself incapable to study(If you teach it to me right, then I’l always remember it) but I think I got a 88% on it… English is like, my only subject that I always pass.
Good Luck.
I’m American so haven’t taken those exams, however, I have had severe test anxiety since I was 8.
Here’s what I’d recommend:
Make sure you get enough sleep the night before each exam. I take melatonin sometimes.
Drink two litres of water before each exam. Seriously. It helps your brain function better; so does moving your arms in a figure-8 motion.
Relaxation can be important, I’m a firm believer in bubble baths, especially the night before an exam.
Aromatherapy; Lavender and Chamomile are soothing so suitable for bubble baths, or you could burn a lavender candle. Yellow helps your mind work too.
Mint stimulates your mind, as do citrus scents.
Yeah, I know, new age freak girl.