AllHonours.ie has seen an increase of over 300% in traffic since we relaunched the site as a social Q&A.  In true exam season style, activity has exploded and we are confidently heading towards an exciting milestone of an estimated 20,000 registered users and over 100,000 Q&A’s for the end of February.  Yesterday alone (7th Feb 2011) we had over 45,000 unique users visiting AllHonours as students prepare for their mocks.  We are certainly on target to reach over 1,000,000 visits for the 2010/2011 school year, making us one of the busiest and most visited dedicated Leaving Cert and Junior Cert websites in Ireland.  Keep spreading the word and best of luck to everyone in the mocks.

Update: 61,000+ unique visits to AllHonours.ie yesterday, Tuesday 8th Feb.  Busiest day yet!

Update: 75,000 unique users yesterday, Wednesday 9th Feb!

Due to last years huge success with the team of AllHonours bloggers, we are delighted to announce an even more aggressive blogging plan.  We are looking for up to 20 bloggers, across all years so whether you are in 1st year or 6th, we want to hear from you.  Before I detail the requirements, I want to take this opportunity to thank all of the bloggers from last year and I wish them the best of luck in the forthcoming results.  I hope you will all agree, they provided much needed support and entertainment through the exams.  They hit many milestones ranging from an upward spiral of comments, followers, and site traffic to being featured in The Irish Times.  We hope to achieve the same and more this year so make sure you register your interest ASAP!  Places are limited.

Becoming a blogger has many benefits such as improving your communication and creative skills, making a difference to tens of thousands of students who read your posts, and having the chance of being featured in the national newspapers over the exam period.  It is also a perfect job experience to place on your CV as you will have full creative control over your content and it takes planning and impressive communication skills to connect with readers.

If you wish to become a blogger simply email info@allhonours.ie with your details – name, age, year, school, county.  Also include a sample introductory post to give me a sense of your writing style.

Looking forward to reading your posts!  Any further questions feel free to email me.

Best of luck,
Patrick.

So, where to begin?… I’ve always assumed the beginning is a good place to start…:)

My name is Ian (a.k.a StressingOut) and this year I’m repeating the ol’ Leaving Cert. If any of you think doing it once is/was tough, try doing it a second time! Presently, I’m sitting at the dining-room table with about thirty textbooks for six different subjects -(I’m not fully convinced I’ll be attempting Biology again yet) - and all I can see are the wonderful English books, the marvellous Irish texts, the captivating French tracts, the inspiring History tomes, the amorous Music publications and of course the euphoria-inducing Maths eulogies….sarcastic much? And yet I cannot afford to screw up this time for you see, I live in the countryside and because of ye ol’ recession I’m not seeing nearly as much nightlife as I’m accustomed to! I reside in a rather beautiful house, but a house nevertheless, and I feel, due to the connotations of the ever-serene countryside, I’m becoming a tad deranged, like I’m suffering “cabin fever” or I’m becoming the Mr. Hyde to compliment my Dr. Jekyll! And all because I did nothing in preparation for my first attempt at the L.C….that’s right: nothing, nada, zilch! I wasted every single day, only listening in English class, and disrespecting the study of all other subjects! Coming out of the dark tunnel into what I thought would be blinding white light, I painfully received only 315….for shame! and thus, back into the tunnel I go! Study, study, study!… the odd episode of Scrubs…and rather embarrassingly The X-Factor!…and then I fall back to “Study, study, study!” And that is why it is imperative I do well; to leave la campagne behind and head for the city!

What is worse I find, is that not only do I have to repeat the L.C. but, I must do so without the assistance of a secondary school staff! That’s right! I’m all by myself this year and yet, I feel I deserve it for my lack of enthusiasm back in 2008! You never know, I might actually do some work this year without annoying qualified teachers telling me what I pretend I already know! Take it from me, if your in a school with teachers who are doing their best for you at least do them the courtesy by going in everyday! I wish I had and deeply regret it now!

The whole stress and strain of “doing it” by one’s self is ten times as strenuous or stressful as when you have an adult who knows all the answers of the subject they teach by your side. ‘Sir’ and ‘Miss’ are two words that have evaporated from my vocabulary and I cannot depend on the two figures led by the words ‘Mam’ and ‘Dad’ because they’ve never done the L.C. (and besides, the course would have changed drastically from their day even if they had). I depend solely on myself…ah! Poor me! I’m not looking for empathy, or even sympathy, but merely trying to express my regrets at not taking the L.C. seriously enough last time when I did have the comforts of a worn-out copy of Othello and a basic dose of nutrition come one o’clock. I’m by myself. I grow increasingly confused about the hours I put in for study and the lack of hours I put in for sleep!

And besides, how much work is enough? How much work is too much? And what is it all for anyway? : 2-3 hour examinations set in June to purposefully (and conspirationally, me thinks!) keep hormonally-imbalanced 16-20 year-olds inside on hot –  (o.k. Irish weather is technically not “hot”) –  summer days when we should be outside on “the moors” shouting out for our lovers, or in suburbia contemplating the temperment of a “War Horse”….if that is your idea of fun Ms. Bronte and Mrs. Boland! Should we ostracize ourselves from society just to achieve something that neither matters nor inspires when we are simply dust in a coffin? True experience does not exist in books. Powerful and beautiful they may be but that is simply what they are: books.

O.K., I realise that there is some light at the end of this seemingly never-ending tunnel. That is, should one do well, one gets to gallavant off to UCD, TCD or NUI to, yet again, study for a further 3-4 years in hopes of aquiring one’s dream job: teaching in a run-down school in the arse end of Wicklow or playing with chemicals in Schering Plough. Whatever the case, UNI better be as good as “they” say it is if I’m putting as much effort into this as I’m implying I am in this blog!…

So the cobwebs of my brain are dusted away, the foglights I use as eyes are framed and blazing, and my mind is raring to go…well nearly…but the X-Factor results show is tonight so “I got to go”!

Ian

Her artistic sense was exquisitely refined, like someone who can tell butter from the “I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter” ad.
I’m still struggling to believe the guy who used this in an English essay last year received 520 points and is now doing medicine thanks to the HPAT. That guy is meant to be the difference between my funeral being open casket or closed? I should probably introduce myself, names Gera, was simply Ger but ye got to have that ‘a’, yeno how it is. Doing the ole leaving cert, and as the quote up top might tell you, yes the whole thing is a joke. I mean I knew this guy and he wasn’t the sharpest tool in the shed, prob couldn’t tell you which way an elevator was going if you gave him two guesses, yet funnily enough he was the lucky one who was born with one hell of a memory. I think it’s fair to say the L.C is just one big memory test that’s just waiting for you to throw away your social life and put a ban on the alcoholic substances, preferably tequila. Neither of which goes down well with me I’m afraid. Now don’t get me wrong I’m trying to get a hang of this thing, what with writing out notes, sharpening the pencils, cleaning up the room but still cant manage to actually sit down and retain some pointless info that I’m just going to forget about when I go to college to study law (hopefully). The aim is 500 points for trinity, now getting this is the difference between me having a roof over my head and me busking outside Easons come September as law in trinity is a pretty big tradition in the ole family, supposedly I have 10 cousins involved with politics, go figure. Now this should be enough to motivate anyone to go for their desired points but it’s actually the proposed motorcycle my da will get me if I manage to get 500 is what’s doing the trick. Suzuki GSX-R1000 in yellow, oh yes. I think the only reason he made this deal was because he probably thought I had no chance of passing the theory test as I wasn’t going to pay another 30 Euro to re-take it if I failed now. Come to think of it – and I’m not proud of this by the way- but Id say if I didn’t write out the answers on my arm I wouldn’t have been able to see the look on his face perhaps acknowledging maybe just maybe he might have to buy a bike after all. Anyway that’s my post for the week, have to write out an English essay on pride and prejudice (I think). I’m just getting used to this thing by the way ,what with being the only guy and all, give us a chance goddd ha.

Hi all!

This week is my first week back at school. It’s my second time to go into LC year and I have to say, it’s not been the most impressive start. Last year, I watched the whole year disappear in a haze of study time tables, history project research and procrastination. The study time table thing was a great idea I thought…at first. The only problem was I spent most of my time making up the bloody thing that actually implementing it.

I think that’s the reason I have ended up in the same place I was last year…though this year definitely has more of a melancholyfeel to it. Most of my usual people to talk to and hang around with have moved onto pastures new while I’m still at home making study timetables. So, for the LC 2010, I decided that I am going to study my ass off and not waste a minute of it. So far, I have done nada except look up the internet for ‘notes’ aka bebo and facebook (I love to depress myself further by looking at people freshers’ pics and college nights out!).

Study time tables and extra classes and revision courses are really making the parents think that I am now a dedicated student as opposed to last year. HA! Little do they know!
The great thing about being a repeat is that no one actually cares where you are. I don’t want to go to French…I don’t! It’s a sweet bitch alright.

I have decided to take up the english course again…not a smart move according to many people. “You do know it’s a new course, don’t ya?” That is all I hear whenever anyone asks what subjects I’m doing.
Yes, I’m aware and no, I’m not really worried. That was until I realised I have no motivation. All I want to do is sleep! I’m hoping that in a few weeks time, I’ll get into the swing of things again and become the biggest geek ever! ‘Tisn’t looking promising however!

The aim is for this year to bring my points from 335 up to 450! I’m still optimistic I’m taking up economics, though I don’t know what exactly that entails, I’m just thinking it’s like business but it’s another honour subject! I still don’t think I’m taking the whole year as seriously as I should even though I now know what it’s like to not get into college, a PLC or barely get back to school due to high numbers already repeating. I searched for a job but since I have no experience or qualifications..no one was too enthusiastic to hire me.

I must go now to attempt to analyse Eavan Boland’s poetry…who I’ve only recently discovered isn’t actually a man like I thought (as I said I haven’t had a very good start…)

Adios!

Sophie

*WARNING: If you don’t have the time of day and think im a waste of pixelated space then don’t read on. The Following is a compressed (or so i thought..not so much after re-reading this thing) version of my life in the past 2 weeks.

Paramore- Song called “Careful” (click&listen=your new oxygen)

Hey everyone:)

yes im back already! let me first start off by saying “OMG PARAMORE’S NEW ALBUM IS AMAZINGGG!!”

feel free to agree

So yes,ive been quite busy the last few weeks.

• I finally passed my (2nd) theory test,
• bought paramore’s album,
• got a loan of muse’s new album from my friend,
• become addicted to mocha lattés,
• been given the most brilliant news that carlow’s three screen cinema is going to have a new location + ten screens,
• improved my pronunciation of “J’aime” in French all thanks to Kevine (a great french exchange student (well..22 year old) who does lunch time conversation classes in school.
• become friends with another french speaking girl named Marionne (From Belgium )
• Suprisingly got an A2 in two of my chemistry tests,
• Applied for my silver ‘Gaisce’ Award, AND
• had enough time to clean my room.

All that plus I still go to Dublin on saturdays for the revision courses. Which are going quite well. My biology teacher is great as is my french teacher as is my legend of a chemistry teacher from..wait for it…Monaghan! oh yeahh:D what an accent.

This week though, has been horrible with regards to school work. I just got back from my Parent Teacher meeting a few hours ago. The teachers have gone M-A-D with the homework and test this week just so they have something to present our parents with..For God’s sake! Do they not understand that we (mostly) do six other subjects and that those six other teachers give us the same amount of homework!? Its so unfair. I do evening study for 2 hours and this week i found i still had work and tests to study for when i got home at 6pm. Now add an hour for dinner and the usual shower,i usually went to bed at say….12-1am every night!

That is both unhealthy and unfair..where are our rights people?! they should really have some tests prior to the day of the meetings,its easier for us and them aswell.

Anyway, the meeting was fine. Better than i thought (we accompany our parents btw) and not as nerve wrecking as i expected. Most of the teachers (bar Art) said id be well able for the As. So, naturally.. i was delighted. My art teacher just told me to loosen up a bit because J.C art isn’t the same as L.C art. (btw what do you think of the J.C themes this year? I like the one about light and sound..and the out and about one ain’t to bad either:)) other than that i was a happy little camper. I don’t know why but when your teacher’s praise your work and believe in you ,,, you feel the same way! It’s brilliant!

I have my revision course in the morning so i better head on up and finish my last bit of homework.

BUT … If i have any bit of advice for anyone at this stage ,its to keep on top of your homework. I mean, don’t let it slip away. “Ah sure ill do it tomorrow after i watch (insert soap, series, film name here)”. No you actually wont!!!! YOU WONT I SAY!! do it now!…go on…get up off your arse reading this and DO YOUR HOMEWORK…….NOW! you won’t regret it keep working on improving what your finding hard and talk to your teachers about it. thats why they’re there. Ask questions in class because now is the time you should, not when your teacher’s revising for the mocks and assumes you have it understood.

just keep your eye on the prize really.

600 points……….

600 points……

6…..or whatever you need

as for me, it’s way past my bedtime so i should go.Bonne Chance

-Ally

Hey Allhonourers ,

So I’m not to sure how to start off something about the leaving cert since I’m only starting it myself this year . Yes I did do TY and yes I agree with what most people say about it (It was the best school year I have ever had) but it didn’t exactly help me with my subject choices like it was supposed to , honestly it confused me even more :/ But that doesn’t stop me telling everyone younger than me to do it

I’m kind of inbetween feelings about sitting the leaving atm :/ In one hand I’m not that bothered but in the other I am completely freaking out about it . I mean why can’t it be like the junior cert where A1s , B2s and C3s didn’t exist ?? Why can’t it be where nobody has to know the exact result you got and just be “Oh I got 8honours and 2pass ” ( My results btw ) Points just annoy me

Soooo … I want to be a primary teacher . For that I have to go to Mary Immaculate in Limerick , need 480+ points and have to do Higher Level Irish . Nothing I was worried about last year but now that we know the teachers we’re going to have for the next two years , I must admit I’m a tinsy bit scared :/

I am a very strong believer that the teacher you have affects the grade you get . I myself have two very good examples of this . Numero Uno … English , My best subject all through primary school up until first year . Then second year came , along with a new teacher and I was failing every test Now fifth year , new teacher again and it’s my best subject yet again . Example two … Irish , Again one of my best subjects since starting school . Now fifth year , new teacher again and well now one of my worst subjects .

Another thing that everyone seems to be stressing about . I mean come on like … Its the start of fifth year and we’re stressing about something that won’t be happening for at least another two years that doesn’t affect our lives in anyway :/ People I know are actually more stressed about this than the leaving cert . I think it’s crazy but I have got to admit I am one of those people myself . I don’t think it’s just the students in my school are nervous about their deb’s but I think our principal might be a tad bit too … Remember a few weeks ago ?? There was a school from Cork on the news about how they put out condoms on the tables at the deb’s ?? Well if you do well then you know my school If you don’t google it I don’t see what the big deal is … You’re finished school , you will probably never be in the same place with all of the people you have just spent the last six years ( or even more ) of your life together and you want to have a good night with jokes and fun . And I can publicly say that’s all it was – a joke

So that’s all for me for now … I have to go ’study’:P Fun stuff

Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday”, or so said Don Marquis. Well, Mr Marquis, story of my life. I spent the better part of sixth year mastering the art of procrastination. I could put off anything -homework, housework, study – like a pro. Bad idea. Procrastination and the Leaving Cert go together like Fianna Fáil and the Green Party – seems like a good idea to some at the time, but in the end this combination just doesn’t work out.

Hello, I’m Sinéad and, as you may have guessed, I’m repeating the Leaving Cert. I’m also taking it seriously this time. My last attempt at the Leaving Cert didn’t work out very well (and I’m not referring to the Paper Two fiasco!). I failed to comprehend the basic ‘formula’ that best represents this exam: success = study x time. There is nothing, let me tell you, that will engrain that formula onto your brain like sitting in a state exam not knowing how to answer any of the questions in front of you. It’s horrific.

My experience of sixth year was slightly odd. It never really hit me that I was doing the Leaving Cert. I felt no panic or need to study/work. Not in the run up to the mocks, not during the orals, not even the night before the English Paper One. Therefore, the two weeks I spent sitting my exams were, for want of a better term, a period of self-preservation. It was too late for dazzling results, so I opted to try not to fail anything. Intense cramming and 5am starts were involved, though I spent more time doing most of my exams then I spent studying for them. Not something I’m proud of.

I suppose now I should tell you what this last-minute approach resulted in. Well, 450 points*, actually. Not a score to be ashamed of at all. It got me my fifth choice in the first round offers – Law and Business in Maynooth. Looking back now, I didn’t put my CAO choices in the right order. My seventh choice, Economics and Politics in UCD, appealed to me more than numero five. (Ain’t hindsight grand?)

How many people have you heard of have repeated their Leaving Cert because they were five points off? I was five points off. Not five points short, mind; I had five points too many. Bitter pill to swallow.. Anyway, mistakes were made, lessons learned, etc, etc. I now know not to take the Leaving Cert too lightly. Yes, it’s not the be-all-and-end-all it’s made out to be at time, but it is important. Just as important is the CAO, which coincidentally I’m now totally unsure of, but perhaps there’ll be more ranting on that at a later date.

I’m a week into sixth year take two at my new school. It’s actually an all boys’ school (though obviously they let girls repeat there, I didn’t just wander in). I have become one of my good friend’s personal heroes because of this small detail. I don’t really see how it’s a big deal, but then again I went to a mixed school before this and she went to a convent all girls’ one. I offered to trade her for her college place and I’m pretty sure she was very nearly tempted..
I’m doing the same seven delightful (does sarcasm come across well in print?) subjects again: English, Irish, Maths, French, History, Economics and Physics. Repetition coupled with some courses changes and a new history project await me. Bring it on, I say. This time next year, hopefully both you and I shall be off in the big sch-moke, having the time of our lives. Here’s hopin’..

*Luck and generally jammy-ness played a significant part. I do NOT recommend following my hideous example! Besides, getting good points from cramming came back to bite me..karma’s a beach.

Hi, so my name is Emma Lynch. I’m seventeen and yes, I’m in sixth year, a leaving certificate student. When I say I’m doing my leaving cert to people, it is usually met with a sympathetic “oh god really?” or an encouraging “hate that”. So basically people feel pretty sorry for me. I don’t feel sorry for myself, really. I mean I knew this was coming and I knew I had to do it, so here I am. Doing the Leaving Cert.

The Leaving Cert is not the worst thing in the world. It is just an exam that everyone has to do and I just gotta put my head down and study. Oh god, I sound like my mother. But how hard can it be just to learn off everything and then just scribble it down on paper? Clearly the stress hasn’t kicked in yet. I mean, it is only October so maybe you can use that as an excuse for my laid-back approach. Just check in with me again in six months time and we’ll see how laid-back I am.

But in all honestly, I want to do well in the Leaving Cert, I really would like to. Bbbbbbbuuuut I’m not the brightest bulb in the light shop. What I mean to say is basically there is no way I will be like that genius child down in Cork who got nine A1s. Maybe there is something in the water in Cork…or maybe there is just nothing to do in Cork except lock yourself in your room and study. No offense Corkies, I’ve never been to Cork so I don’t really know what its like there.

The subjects I’m doing for my LC are…. English, Irish, Maths, Spanish, Physics, History and Biology…..all at higher level. It hasn’t killed me yet but just give it a few weeks. I’ll let you know if I crack up from doing yet another circle question in maths or writing another essay on the wonderful…*cough, cough* King Lear.

The hardest thing I think I’ll find about this year is getting a balence between studying and my social life. I’m just hoping my social life won’t disappear and my Saturdays nights won’t be replaced with mountains of homework, a million and one cups of tea and stacks of toast. Well I’ll guess I’ll find out soon enough.

On a positive note, I know I’m not alone. All my worries, my fears, are pretty much the same worries and fears as my friends and the 60,000 or so other students sitting the LC next June. We’re all not alone and it’s nice to know we have somewhere to vent our frustrations while at the same time avoiding Biology homework:)

Hello allhonours users,

Ally (astatinee) here…ok so blogging? doesn’t sound too difficult…but I suppose with me being so busy studying this year I shouln’t even have time for this kind of thing..oh yess..I know I’m not alone people. You’re probably sitting there giving out to yourself, “why the hell didn’t I study like I said I would over summer! now I’m definitely screwed for chemistry!” either that or your taking it easy until Christmas. Just let me remind you the mocks are too close after that.

Its so weird..fifth year seemed to just fly by and now its all about the CAO, make sure you know your course codes, what’s your aptitude? Are you going to the debs? Start revising! Same old things the same teachers say.

For most of us we are hoping and praying to god that we get into the course we want because we don’t really have an alternative..but for those lucky few who are expecting 600 points I suppose I can only say congratulations. I didn’t do Transition year. My Parents were sticking to their idea that TY was pointless, I obviously revolted and am reluctant in saying they were right. So TY was apparently fun and you did tons of projects and went here and there but I mean, how many of you who did TY actually took the extra time to go over your weak subject……thought so.

I promised my self that I’d try to get all As in my Christmas and summer exams….I ended up getting 2As, Bs and a D. Then I made a time table to study over summer but of course, invitations to this and that..next thing you know its September already.Why is it that the goals we make we rarely ever stick to?

Well i got a wake up call over summer. Well…that’s what I call it. So I’m hoping to get into RCSI for medicine, lets pretend I’m an optimistic A standard student. I found out that a girl in my school got into RCSI and I felt,almost jealous. Then, my friend’s brother also got into the same college for the same course. I thought to my self what was I doing over summer that I never gave any time to the subjects I needed to improve on? I kept saying I’ll do it tomorrow etc etc…so now my parents (and Dr. Dad) are expecting me to get medicine and I have no idea what to do if I dont and I really do want to get into medicine myself because I love the whole science-biology-helping people aspect of it and its something I would love.

Points are really high, I’m doing pass maths, I hate chemistry (remember now, I’m an optimistic A standard student ) so I decided that I would start studying a few days ago. And I’m proud to say I’ve stuck to my plan, although today it was chemistry’s turn and I gave up on it after half an hour,but i’m getting there. Basically if I don’t feel like studying I remind my self that I NEED 500+ points so if I want what I want I NEED to make an effort. Quite honestly,thats all you need to get enough points. If you make the effort of learning the subjects you dont like and improving on them, if you have a goal (as in “I need such and such points”) and if you have faith in yourself that you CAN and WILL improve …then you will.

so thats my new plan of action…keeping my goal in mind.. sometimes its hard , with being friends with ‘the girl who got 11 As in her Junior Cert.’ who is sure of getting her favoured career choice.

Fact is even when you get into third level education you’ll have to work hard since its new material. Put in the effort now..I turned down an invitation to go see Dorian Gray (that new Film) and im hoping I wont regret this but..I said I wouldnt go the paramore concert in december either because I have a study session planned then. Im not going to completley isolate myself from the world. Just prioritise. It’s the last year of secondary school and the last year you’ll probably see your friends so take lots of photos and do enjoy it but have your limits.

So that was my attempt at life coaching, psychology is my second choice ha, ( I can see you shaking your head saying “this one’s mad, God help her anyways..”..yeah thanks).

Oh yes, to try and boost my points, my parents have enrolled me in a revision course in Dublin. Last weekend was my first day. I swear i checked the train time table and a train was going from Carlow to Dublin at 6.30am. 6.15am…train station is locked. So i end up driving to the place with my mother and taking the Luas and then a taxi to St. Steven’s Green. My god ive never been so cold in my life! But the actual place itself was good enough. I’d say I’ll improve on my Biology anyway.

Well its about 11.35pm and like i said, I was meant to be studying chemistry…I’ll shove that in with Irish tomorrow (does anyone else think those 500 poems are unnecessary? Well, thats another story). I should be going to bed now so ill talk to you all tomorrow. Study after school at 4.15pm…brilliant. Orthodontist appointment at 5.00pm…lovely.

Excellent things await me.