Hello

Once again it’s been a long time since I’ve blogged but getting my thoughts out is just not happening lately :L Such a busy month. Finally, I fully realise why people in Leaving Cert always gave out about the Leaving Cert. It’s awful. And for all you people out there who are like “It can’t be that bad” I mean this from the bottom of my heart, it is. And for anyone who tells you otherwise, they’re either lying or superhuman. Everything you do, you feel like you should either be studying or sleeping. But when you’re studying you want to sleep, and when you actually go to bed, your brain is too jumbled with information to calm down. It’s a never ending cycle. Just crap. Thank God It’s only one year. And for anyone who repeats, you’re a better person than I. Under no circumstances will I be doing this again next year. I’m actually lucky that the things i genuinely want to do aren’t the most popular. Physics FTW

Speaking of courses, what did everyone put on the aul CAO?

Very very happy with mine. Number 1 is Science in Galway and 2 is Science in Maynooth After that it’s just random Physics and Biotechnology Courses around the country But I really want to get Galway. I love the city. I love the College, the course. Everything. So excited. Just to get through this flipping LC first.

Mocks start Monday. I’m nervous. Today was so stressful because the more teacher’s wished us luck, the more nervous I got. Still it’ll be an experience.

Anyone who does history will understand the serious lack of time in the exam. Why we get 3 hrs for science subjects where answers are rarely more than a paragraph and in history we have to write 3 full essays and 1 half essay in 10 minutes less is beyond me. Even that extra 10 minutes would make such a difference. Ridiculous.

Anyways Good luck to everyone doing their mocks

Niamh

With little over a week until the Mocks start, the panic has swept in. The annoying thing is that I wasn’t even worried about these insignificant, poorly corrected exams until teachers and fellow students drilled the panic into my head. Of course, the issuing of Leaving Cert exam numbers during the week didn’t help my state of mind. In addition to all relevant exam material, I now have to learn a six-digit number off by heart.

I also had a CAO crisis during the week. They seem to be en vogue among my peers for the past month or so and I was almost getting concerned about my laid-back attitude towards my chosen courses. I eventually caught on to the craze last week when I realised Arts with Film Studies just wasn’t for me. The more I thought about doing it, the less I wanted to do it. My previous ‘certainty’ that it was the course for me quickly faded away and I rooted out all the prospectuses once again. I narrowed the decision down to General Arts and Commerce, both in NUIG. General Arts triumphed (for now) because the maths and accounting side to Commerce is pretty unappealing to me. However, I don’t like the common perception of Arts students- you know, that they’re a lazy, boring shower of so-and-so’s who don’t know what they want to do in life. Okay, I am exceptionally lazy but even that statement is a bit harsh. I’d still like to branch out into Journalism if that’s what I want in three years time.

Anyway, to cheer myself up I decided to fill up the blank spaces on my CAO with some ‘funny courses’. Yes I know, how original… Maybe I’ll just become a professional comedian instead of taking the college path. I reworked my application to include Baking and Pastry Management (I’m not laughing at anyone who actually wants to do this, if you saw my attempts at baking a sponge cake you’d understand the joke) but as it’s ten points higher than General Arts, I guess the joke is on me. I also added some construction courses, inspired by my favourite TV show to make fun of, Fade Street. If that Vogue can get an internship at Stellar from working on a building site, then why can’t I? If it’s hard to picture her bricklaying and mixing cement, it must be ten times harder to picture me, the girl always picked last in PE, doing it.

As for the Mocks timetable, it’s not the worst. We had a thorough dissection of it at lunch and after listening to comments such as “I wish French was on the Monday morning” and “I’d love to swap Tuesday’s tests with Friday’s tests”, I realised that it will make little difference to us. Either way we won’t have a large amount of time to cram but that’s okay. No don’t worry, I haven’t gone insane. I think the results will give me the kick I need to focus on the topics/subjects that need to be focused on, which I can’t seem to identify at the moment.

I must say I don’t know what I would do without my Starbucks mug these days. Its size can hold twice the amount of tea/coffee as your typical mug and it adds an air of glamour to the very unglamorous task of studying. It’s one of the only things getting me through Sixth Year. See also: Large amounts of food.

I decided to be a sheep today, and just go along with the general flow of blogs.. CAO & Christmas tests? Fairly calm about both actually. I’m expecting evil eyes for admitting this, but I filled my CAO out in November. The week CAO opened. I was bored that week.. Needless to say, I’ve tweaked it slightly, putting down a few random courses for the craic, but overall it’s consistent. At the moment, it says:
1. Trinity Law and German
2. UCD Law with Politics
3. DCU Economics, Politics and Law
4. TRINITY Business, Economic and Social Studies (BESS)
5. UCD Business and Law
6. Trinity Business Studies and German
7. DCU European Business (German)
8. Trinity Computer Science, Linguistics and German
9. DIT Journalism with a Language
10. UCC Government
It used to have a lot more Law courses, but Law & German has stayed on top. I LOVE German. Me & German are tighter than JD & Turk. Oh yeah.
So other than that: Christmas tests. We didn’t have them. Since we missed three weeks of school, official exams were cancelled, to be replaced by class tests. It was HORRIBLE! Picture this: Still having to do the same tests, just with less time / spread out, while still receiving homework. Can’t say I’m a fan of it.. But I did a test in English, Irish, Geography, Applied Maths and German.
English – Haven’t gotten back. It was basically only the A part of a comprehension. If I fail, I will be amazed.
Irish – An average of 72.5%. I got 13/20 in poems & stories, then 32/40 in A Thig Na Tit Orm. It’s grand.
Geography – 96%. Definitely happy with this
Applied Maths – 70%. It’s okay-sh :/ I got the highest, which may say something about the test, or else the class (including me) is just thick.
German – Average of 89.5%. A reading comprehension, listening comprehension, oral & Schriftliche Produktion. Pretty happy!
In the rest of the thrills & excitements that my life consists of, my Parent Teacher Meeting was two days ago. Happy with that too, was given predictions of an A in German, Home Ec, Geography, & maybe Maths. B in Irish & Applied Maths, and my Bio & English teachers didn’t turn up.
I apologise for the dullness of that blog, it was clearly uninspired. With the amount of homework & after school things, I have no energy to construct full sentences, never mind interesting ones. I pinky promise to try come up with enthusiasm next time!
Chloe.

So I just filled in my CAO.
By putting courses into a hat and picking them out.
And until I have a notion of what I want to do, they’re staying that way.
I don’t even know what course is my first choice as I didn’t pay attention.
Story with my lack of motivation?

An actual blog soon,
-Ash

And no…I’m really not joking.

Forgive me bloggers for I have sinned, it has been two months since my last post. Okay, I just checked and my last post was written on the 8th of November. Today is the 8th of January and now that I think about it, the LC starts on the 8th of June. What can I say, I like patterns. Of course I have a list of reasons for my absence (yeah, whatever helps you sleep at night Ciara):

1. Christmas tests (original excuse, I know).

2. Results of aforementioned tests. Don’t get me wrong, I did fine but I was disappointed with a few of them so I tried to put in a bit of extra study to make up for it.

3. Internet boycott following aforementioned results of aforementioned tests (word of the day: aforementioned). I decided to do this because my study time consists of going on Facebook and complaining about my lack of study. Also, I realised that I remember a status a girl in my French class wrote about her rabbits two weeks ago, yet I don’t remember the French word for rabbit. Or the French word for anything… Anyway, in what seemed an attempt to spur me on in my boycott, my internet broke the week of Christmas.

4. Christmas. Who could possibly think of Calculus or the formation of a cliff when there’s mountains of food and every Harry Potter/ Indiana Jones movie ever made on TV? A stronger person than I, that’s who.

5. Internet catch-up session following aforementioned internet boycott following aforementioned results of aforementioned tests (otherwise known as stalking).

Thankfully other bloggers have been dedicated enough to keep the homepage fresh. Reading through all the posts, I’m glad we all seem to be in the same boat. However, I still haven’t filled out my CAO (I could commit the most rebellious act, which is to fill it out at 5.14 pm on the 1st of February).

I’m going to have to cut this short because I still have an essay to do before we go back to school (someone is going to have to drag me out of my bed kicking and screaming Monday morning).

Au revoir, mes lapins!

Hello:)

I’ve officially signed up for CAO. Things just got real. Something about clicking that apply button has made me think “Oh wait. This is actually gonna happen” Scared me silly. But in a good way if that’s possible? I’ve also come to realize that I am my worst enemy. After great intentions of studying all last week and this week a huge part of it has been spent on Facebook/Twitter/Watching Season One of Skins. But today it hit me hard. I’ve only myself to blame. Its only me I’m lying to when I say I’m gonna be off the computer in 5 minutes and am still online half an hour later. It’s me who changes my study timetable to accommodate an extra hour in bed. And with 4 and a half weeks till the mocks it’s gone beyond a joke.

Me and my friend Ali are kidnapping each other’s twitter for the weekdays. Almost willingly. We did say it to each other so technically it was our own idea.

How was everyone’s Christmas? Mine was lovely Few nights out. Since when is it okay to not accept passports into nightclubs though? Grrrrrrr >:( Hope Santy brought ye lovely things. I got Glee tickets!! XD Verrrrry Excited

Anyone else find that their Christmas report meant nothing to them though? I got mine and was like Oh. Even the comments which would have usually got my attention, I just couldn’t care. Because at the end of the day, as much as they try, teachers don’t know everything. They say you have no interest when really you do, but they have just pushed you past the point of trying to communicate with them. I really do like Applied Maths. The subject is really interesting and engaging but I’ve just lost my confidence, I guess. Not the interest tho.

So only 4 and a half weeks to the mocks. Scary stuff. Dates differ from school to school but I think I’d prefer it our way. At least we have an actual mid-term. Where we can sleep/go out/ de-stress after the mocks. I’m terrified for Maths. I love love love love love Maths atm but I don’t think I’m ready to sit a full paper. Everything else should be okayish. Actually no, wait. History. Eeeek. How I’m gonna cram all that into my head in 4 weeks is beyond me.

And this History project. Oh my god. Even thinking about it sends me into a cold sweat. I’ve left Friday and Monday (We have Monday off because of a parent-teacher meeting) to the project and hopefully I can get some sort of rough draft drawn up. Hopefully.I’m doing mine on Lord Haw- Haw. He was a Nazi propagandist from Galway Also worked with the Black and Tans so he really interested me. That’s why I’m doing it on him.

Sorry I’m not blogging as much as I should. I do sit down to blog and then I never really know what to say

But after Christmas they say the s**t really hits the fan so I suppose I’ll have loads to talk about (LC related) then

A bientot,

Niamh

xx

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..” 

No please, make it stop!

I’ll be honest here, I’m a proper scrooge when it comes to Christmas; I hate the snow, I hate missing school because of a bit of snow, I hate making snowmen, I hate snowballs (especially when I’m pelted with them on my way to school..), I hate ice-skating, I hate the cold, I hate the commercialism of Christmas, I hate how greedy kids are, I hate how you have to give up your bed for family members who should have spent Christmas in the Bermuda Triangle – “yes Aunty Mary, I know.. “A tidy room is a tidy mind” ..” Like C’MON!

It feels like I’m the only one who feels like this but I can’t be. Can I..? C’mon, there has to be a few more people out there that have spent the morning studying and can’t understand the madness of not being in school today? No? Oh okay then..

My younger siblings were in school today so I had to bring them to school, and as our schools are conveniently next door to each other, I was tempted to go in and ask the Principal could I work on my construction project but I didn’t as I knew the answer would be no and I’d only end up cleaning the cafeteria anyway.. By the way, does anyone else do construction? It’s an absolute wagon of a subject I think 

I actually got excited earlier when I saw the snow melting, but then it started to snow again. I’m supposed to be going to the TCD open day tomorrow but in that weather I just don’t know? The only thing is, I went last year so I’m comfortable with the college, but I haven’t been to a talk on one of the courses I have on my CAO.. Ah sure, I’ll decide in the moro.

So basically this has just been a rant, or a waste of a blog.. Whatever you want to call it? I’m also thinking, (well actually no, not thinking, doing!), blogs as Gaeilge so if that interests you make sure you keep an eye out for my blogs! 

Peace out, and happy studying! 

Dia Dhaoibh!

My name’s Rebecca, but everyone calls me Becca. Unless I’m in trouble for not being home on time, then it’s the full name..

Anyway, lets get on with things! I’m eighteen, I go to an all-irish school so I’m fluent as Gaeilge and yes, I’m doing my Leaving Cert this year (woohoo!) but I’m also at a bit of an advantage as I’ve already done the Leaving Cert and I am, obviously, repeating it this year because I didn’t get enough of the lack of a social life and stress from last year!

No but seriously, I’m more focused this year, I know what I have to do and what I definitely shouldn’t do, how to make out (and follow!) study plans, how to improve on my answers and how to use notes and helpful sites effectively; and if you know me you’ll know that wasn’t me last year.. I’ve never been a bad student but I had a bit of a rough year in fifth year and instead of putting it behind me I let it follow me into sixth year and basically become more important than the Leaving Cert, which I now know was utter and total rubbish!

So yeah.. That’s me! If you’re interested in any tips I’ve found along the way, how exactly the Leaving Cert and CAO system works, what it’s really like to repeat and have to do two years work in one year, why you should work your butt off for the two years you have to instead of having to repeat like me, or anything like that just stick around because you are in for a very honest and frank account on what it’s like to be doing the Leaving Cert.. Again! 

Peace out, and happy studying!

“There’s always time for a nice cup of tea. Sure, didn’t the Lord himself pause for a nice cup of tea before giving himself up for the world.”  - Mrs Doyle (Father Ted)

I strongly believe that the more stressed one becomes, the more tea one needs. Now I’ve always had a bit of an adoration for the beverage, but this week has been ridiculous. I find myself craving tea throughout the day. Half way through after school study all I can think of is going home to a nice cup of tea.  I’ll do 30 minutes of homework then its off I go to the kitchen for a tea break and a biscuit. Even tonight I craved tea the whole journey home. I came home to find an empty house and freddos on the kitchen table. Party over here. So I’m writing this eating a freddo and drinking even more tea. 4th cup of the day infact.
Random thought: Whatever happened to Taz bars? Hm…

I reckon all this tea drinking is related to the stress of my week.  This week was just tiring. We only had a four day week and I’m still wrecked. I also helped out for my last ever open night. Weird feeling in a way.
This week just dragged in. And left a weekend of assignments in its wake. I got most of my biology homework done on Thursday. But I still have so much homework due Monday and at least 2 tests every day til Thursday. I think… Really should check that out..

I spent a fair amount of Friday evening going through all the information I got at Higher Options last week. The future looks scary. Eeny meeny miny mo may not cut it for this decision in life… Too many variables.
Is anyone else a little terrified anytime they even look at their CAO booklet? Maybe thats just me…
And another question, Anyone going to the open day in NUI Galway at the weekend?  I’m wondering if I should…

And finally, a little story about something that made my week this week.  On Tuesday, We had our open night. I was a guide and was showing people around the school. We got to the language room. I was talking to my German teacher when I spotted a box of Harry Potter books behind her. I asked if they were the books in German.  She checked and said that they were in French which was a shame because she’d have loaned me the German ones. Next day in school, She was asking around for me. Found me at the end of the day and handed me the first Harry Potter book in German. She had gone home and looked for it to loan to me.  I just thought that was so thoughtful and kind. I’m really quite excited about it. I’ve been translating it using the English version for a few days. I now actually enjoy German :)

Today, I had a really good day with my favourite person , and I barely thought of all the assignments and study (and tea) that awaits me tomorrow. Thats what Sundays are for right?  Tea powered cramming?

Speaking of tea, I need another cup.
- Ash

CAO, UCAS, RDS.. All I hear these days are letters that have something to do with the LC! The really scary thing is that one of these works can lead to two hour discussions about other letters. I’d appreciate if I could please have my life back?

So, the main thing recently was probably the Higher Options Conference. We went on Thursday and spent about two & a half hours in the RDS. It was a really fun day and probably did help a lot of people but it just succeeded in confusing me. I was set on Law & Political Science in TCD before it and while up there, I was tempted by so many other courses! While I’m still mainly focused on law, I now want to do Law & German in TCD or UCC, or Law & Politics in UCD maybe. I LOVED the Trinity stand and found them to be so so so helpful. They explained what the course does, what you can do after it, the societies in the college & financial help available. UCD wasn’t really as helpful, but maybe that was just me? The first woman I approached handed me the prospectus & answered all my questions with “Oh it’s in the book.. Yeah if you read through it, it should be in there.” I left her and was talking to another Law student who was more helpful but I’m still not too sure. Unfortunately I didn’t get to go to the UCC stand, but I’m kind of worried – Neither the prospectus or the CAO handbook have Law & German down for 2011 so my guidance teacher said she’ll find out for me. But what to choose?!

Anyway, other than that is UCAS. SO far I haven’t actually done anything other than register and see my guidance teacher for a few minutes. But I’m going to her tomorrow morning to work on my personal statement and again next week. (We’re becoming best friends recently, I’m never out of her office)  And all sixth years also have an interview with the principal soon. They started this week so I should be in the next few days.. Won’t that just be a bundle of fun. “Oh howarya Sir, no I don’t have too many earrings in, I learned my lesson last week when you caught me twice in the one day..” But it should actually be okay, I’m sure I’ll write about it.

Any other news?. I don’t think so.. Well there are now only two girls left in my Applied Maths class. And we’re going on our Geography field trip soon.. That’s pretty much it. Seeing as it’s late and I have no work done, I better do some sort of study. Or at least sit in my room to avoid the glares of my Mammy who’s thinking ‘Go study so I can be in charge of the tv’. Fine Mammy, I’ll go. But just think about how much I’ll be missed when I leave..

Stress! Seriously, the LC is actually starting to really get on my nerves. It’s too confusing for someone like me, I’d be quite happy to live with my Mammy & Daddy for another seventeen years. Do you think they’ll let me?