Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday: there is never enough time to get what you want done, is there? And as I asked in my first blog, ‘how much time is enough?‘ I’m spending 33hrs 45mins studying a week (including “class time”), and still I have a LOT to get through! And how do I know if I’m taking the L.C. seriously enough? I sat in shame watching ‘The Late Late Toy Show’, seeing that young boy called John Joe speak so perfectly about the literature of Roald Dahl – on a side note: how cute was his little laugh? – and thinking to myself, “I’m screwed!” There is no way Shakespeare will get something so wonderful from my brain come June next year. I’m stressing about orals, aurals, practicals, written papers, C.A.O. forms, examination papers, future college prospects, acceptance into a college, open days, exam results, and simply wondering if I’m doing everything correctly!
However, I am receiving a C.A.O. form and a external candidate application form this week in the post, and I will hopefully begin work on my history research project this week too! I also received news this week that “took a load off”. My old secondary school contacted me and told me I could sit my examinations there, so phew! And U.C.D. open day is next friday – I can’t wait for that. 
Anyone else going?
But I am a little exhausted. I’m worried this year I won’t do as well as I’m anticipating. I don’t want a lot, just enough to get me into a university, hopefully U.C.D. But night after night I lie, tossing and turning, unable to sleep because I think of the alternative prospect: having to repeat again, wait till I am a mature student, or settle for less. Is it too early to be suffering from butterflies in the stomach?
However, with regards to study, I did get a LOT done. King Lear is finished, as is the comparative study, basic French grammar is nearly finished, and I’ve also written a good bit of notes too! Yet, I only hope I’m employing the correct study techniques. What is the best form of learning?
I do not believe that the examinations are simply memory tests. Subjects like English, French, History, Gaeilge and Music are designed to exhibit flair, intellect, opinion, cultural, social and political awareness, and some degree of personal response. If they were memory tests one would not be required to understand any of these concepts. We would just write answers on a page based on what we’ve committed to memory, and let us be honest: what is interesting about that? If we perform as conformists, we lose all personal identity. My opinion would not be something that would matter to anyone, and even if it doesn’t as it is now, it matters to me.
On the other hand, what if being a robot is what the examiner expects? What if a person, like me, strolls into the examination, expresses his/her opinion in a clear, but controversial manner, and yet loses marks for being unique? Is identity important when writing a response to the study of John Keats’ poetry, or should one simply do what has been seen and done before, if doing so earns an ‘A’? Was Robert Frost right when he said ‘I took the road less travelled by and that has made all the difference’? Or was he merely speaking of himself? Should we do as he did if, in the long run, we remain true to ourselves; or should we conform to sample answers and committing essays to memory if, in the short run, it gets us to our first choice college?
Au revoir mes amis,
Ian
Hey, great blog!!
I was told that regurgitation is not a smart move. I think it’s better just to respond to the question on the day. Although history is the exception, ya can’t really bullshit that.
What are ya doing the history project on?
Sophie
30 Nov 09 at 4:53 pm
nice blog once again:)
loved it.
i cant believe,, ian im the same,,i keep thinkin what IF i dont get med…what the hell am i gonna do then? repeat i suppose..which i dread..:( wow thats great that youve got all that done already!!!
i think in poetry its more important to give your own opinion,,sure stock phrases help too i guess,,,i was sooo looking forward for the UCD open day…i dont think our schools going anymore though:( ill find a way to go though!!!
omg that kid is going to be a young shakespeare when he grows up…”i think he’s poetic…fantasy comes first..” what an epic child…:)
once again, brilliant blog
Ally
30 Nov 09 at 10:09 pm
Great post! Reminds me of how much I reallllly need to blog again – oh the lack of time!
I swear I’ll do it this week! Lol.
Yay U.C.D. on Friday! A bit of a break! What are you hoping to study?
À bientôt!
Sinéad
30 Nov 09 at 10:13 pm
DEEP!!! love that Robert Frost poem though and yes i think it is always best to have and express your own opinion because its easier for you to back it up and be more convincing about it than if it were someone elses =D yay UCD on friday!!! and trinnity next wednesday!! btw dont worry about whether or not your gong to get a place in whatever it is you want to do yet! fill out the cao and then leave it!!…… the way it is in this damn country if june doesnt go well…… ok ok happy thoughts…..positive thoughts!! =D nice blog btw….
Katie
1 Dec 09 at 12:07 am
Thanks guys, or rather, girls! Hoping to do English and…I dnt know. I was up in U.C.D. – deadly day!- and have decided I wanna do English, Italian, French, Latin, Irish folklore, Greek and Roman civilisation – any chance of that happening? lol Doubt it! And OMG it was busy, but I’d say most of the “prospective students” are’nt interested in being “prospective” in anything!
Sophie: I’m thinking of Irish Folklore or Elizabeth I on the project, u?
Ally: I’m sure you’ll get med. And besides, take it from me, if you have to repeat it’s no biggie, especially if you really want it!
Sinead: Seriously, u may come back! I wanna read more of your posts!
Katie: Yes, happy thoughts, happy thoughts *rocks himself in the corner of a white, cushioned room, laughing maniacally*
Hope you all enjoyed U.C.D.!
Ian
4 Dec 09 at 5:06 pm
The rise of women in politics and society (my history thinks im a big hairy feminist) or Dr Josef Mengele, the doc at auschwitz
Sophie
8 Dec 09 at 1:59 am
Oh cool! Yeh well do the feminist one cuz I’m now thinking of doin Harvey Milk (BIG GAY MOVEMENT ACTIVIST) cuz I’m real interested in Civil Rights Movements ATM.
My English teacher tot I was a feminist for a long time too cuz I was always harpin on bout how women play passive roles in most literature and loved the poetry of Ade Rich! Lol hope it goes well 4 ya!
Ian
12 Dec 09 at 10:55 am
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Free advice on How to Fix Scratched Window Glass….
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15 Jun 10 at 9:38 pm