It all finished with Biology. It was the last hurdle that stood between my ten month hermit-like existence and freedom.

It was one of my favourite subjects and so for me, Biology was a brilliant way to end the Leaving Cert. The paper was lovely (in my opinion) but I guess I should credit that to my excellent teacher and not entirely my own abilities. I actually found it to be the best out of all my exams, but then it’s a subject that has always clicked with me – it’s straightforward, no nonsense and almost completely composed of short questions. Although he who knows why male ducks migrate further south than females, please share your wisdom with those of us ignorant to the mannerisms of the duck community. I must have neglected those chapters in my last minute revision… But in fairness, it’s the kinda thing that’s meant on a David Attenborough documentary, not the Biology LC paper.

As for French, I found that relatively nice too. I mentioned before that I had spent time in France on an exchange, and so that really stood by me for the exam. However it has to be said that it was no help for the written side of things. I know I made some stupid grammatical errors, so if my results aren’t what I want them to be, I can rest assured it’s because of my opinion pieces. Structure is always the one to catch me out. Still, I was happy enough overall.

Moving on to Irish, it was a fair paper all round. I had left a substantial amount of work until it was too late… well, I thought I had. I guess the teachers are right about retaining information – somehow, most of it comes flooding back out of no where in the middle of an exam. Just as well too, because I lacked any form of motivation the night before. I was wrecked, my hands were numb from writing and in that moment I genuinely couldn’t have cared less what I said or didn’t say in the pending exam. Trust my rebellious streak to kick in days before I finish…

The following day, I didn’t have time to recover from all the writing in Irish as I had business to attend to. Literally. It was a paper I had previously struggled with, not because of it’s content but because of the timing allocated to the exam. Thirty two minutes for an ABQ? You must be joking. Forty is the average. But in such a structured exam, every minute counts. I finished it (thankfully!) with a mere three minutes to spare.  As far as the questions went, they were predictable enough. Not much on the EU front as far as I remember, but the break-even at the back was a nice treat.

Finally, I got a taste of my long-awaited freedom. I haven’t gone wild as of yet. I’m waiting until next Thursday when all my other friends finish up before the proper celebrations kick in! These past few days I’ve only gone out for a quiet drink or two and I’ve mainly spent my time reorganising things so that my life can get back to normal. My study is now clean, my diagrams are ripped off the walls and the “Hang in there kitty” poster previously mentioned a lifetime ago in my posts has been laid to rest. This kitty has hung in there long enough. Now that her stint is over, she needs her sleep. I didn’t realise it until my exams were over, but I was definitely in need of a serious amount of me time. Sleep, relaxation, sleep again… a day or two was required to wind down before I could get properly pumped up. Nothing is as sweet as waking up the day after you’ve finished exams and realising that this is the first day of the rest of your life.

To finish this post, I’m going to refer back to my final moments as an LC student. There were only three of us left in the exam room as the supervisor glanced at the clock, then towards us again as we all waited in the silence of knowing what he was about to say. I zipped up my pencil case in preparation. My exam paper was neatly folded. I couldn’t hold back a smile. This man, this absolute stranger, was about to say the words that I had waited to hear since this year began. It’s over. It’s finished. You’re done.

I will always hold a sense of nostalgia towards the Leaving Cert. It’s not that I feel any particular ties to the subjects nor the study itself (funnily enough), but it represented a part of my life that is evidently the domino that sets the rest into action. I walked out the front door of my school, down the steps towards my freedom and I swear… I never looked back.

Sorcha x

PS) My Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000484089032

Hi My internet has been down for the past few days so I couldn’t blog. In the aftermath of Maths Paper 1, I eventually calmed myself down enough to have another look at the paper. I think i may have been a bit hard on myself in the exam. I did a lot better than I thought in the exam, so I’ve just forgotten about it now

So heres how the rest of the exams went

Maths Paper 2- I thought it was a lovely Paper. A few difficult c parts but nothing I shouldn’t have been able to do. That doesn’t mean it went perfectly, far from it. But I hope I managed a nice C grade

Irish I do pass so after 5 years of honours I found it a bit of a doddle. I was finished both papers after an hour so I’m not too worried about the outcome of them

French Je l’ai adoré Moi, j’adore francais donc je ne pense pas que cette examen est trop difficle. Maleheuresement je sais que ma production ecrit est faible. J’espére que j’ai gagné une b

History- Even typing this has me in tears. I cannot describe to you my disappointment in that exam. I had worked so hard all year. And not one of the essays I had prepared came up. I was just distraught. I started to panic and had to leave the exam hall. Anyone who does history knows how challenged we are for time but if I’d stayed I would have passed out. I managed to do two and a half pages on each question but it just wasn’t enough. I hopefully passed but I really cannot expect anything more than that. It was just heartbreaking. It was like Maths only 10 times worse. God, even thinking about it sends me into the depths of depression. So I’m not going to

Biology- What a weird paper? Like none of the usual things came up. In saying that, I thought it was pretty good There was alot of “from your knowledge of biology” type questions which is not how we’re trained to think. Couldn’t believe it when I seen plants in question 11 as well?

Just one more left; Physics on Monday. Overall the whole “Leaving Cert Experience” feels like its lasted forever. It seems like a year ago since we sat English paper two but we were actually in it this time last week! Crazy really. I’m just ready for it to be  over now and to start my summer I’ll blog again Monday after my LAST LC EXAM (I refuse to repeat )

Till then,

Niamh

After developing a claw-shaped hand following the two English papers, on Friday I welcomed my calculator and colouring pencils with open arms. That is, until I saw the Geography paper.

It wasn’t impossible, I was just disappointed with how different it was to other years. Other years were so manageable, other years the same things came up all the time, in their simplest forms. This year, I thought even the short questions were tricky. I was freaking out over the “does the information office have regular opening hours?” question. How was I supposed to know? Is this a famous information office? IS SOMEONE OUT THERE TRYING TO MAKE A SICK JOKE? Then I realised it said it on the legend. Phew, crisis averted.

I thought the physical questions were awful, considering the amount of essays I had learned. I couldn’t find any with three parts I liked, so I had to settle for the one where you described the feature on the map. I really hope there was a cliff where I said there was! Even the standard human interaction with the rock cycle asked for economic impacts, rather than a general summary. Regional was the section that the examiner really transformed, from the usual ‘tertiary activities in region X’ and ‘culture in region Y’, to questions such as criteria defining a region. I did that one, as I realised how vague it was and I’m pretty happy with my EU expansion answer, fuelled purely by common sense. The elective section was fine and as for the geoecology…words can’t describe my relief that the biome came up. Twice! I did the characteristics question.

I was initially gutted with the paper but now that I’ve written it down, I guess it wasn’t so bad. What annoys me is the fact that I put in the work for that, especially for the physical section and I feel a little cheated by the SEC. Now I’m questioning the remark that all my hard work will apparently pay off with these exams, especially considering the fact that Maths, which I hadn’t studied for since Easter, went very smoothly.

I found Maths paper 1 (ordinary level) easy as pi. I think I’m allowed to boast a little about that. After all, people didn’t hesitate in telling me how spectacular their English papers went, when I’m still disappointed with my performance. Anyway, unless there is a major upset I won’t be counting Maths so it’s not like it really matters but it’s comforting to encounter a good paper. Unfortunately the same can’t be said for our friends in higher level. Hopefully paper 2 will be better and at least most people seem to feel the same way about it. I know it doesn’t make up for the whole thing but I’m sure the marking scheme will be sympathetic. The bell curve wouldn’t allow it any other way!

I’ve spent the weekend having some much-needed sleep and very little else, although I had planned to tackle some History and Irish. Everyone seems to be banking on an essay on the recession for Irish but I’d prefer something on the media. In the mocks I steered away from the common choice and went for ‘young people listen to pop music too much’. I made quite a strong argument for listening to bands such as Arcade Fire and I think I was marked favourably for being the only one to do that essay. The examiner must have been a rock fan!

Good luck tomorrow everyone.

Believe it or not, I’m not talking about finishing the mocks or anything. But you know when something finally pays off? Utter Delight.
On Wednesday, I went to the Gaeltacht as part of school preperation for orals, with about 70 others. We were in Gaoth Dobhair at Colaise Cholmcille, & I have to say, it was brilliant! I’ve already spoken of my nerves in relation to Irish, and I decided I could really benefit from being immersed in the language! It turned out to be true, because I’ve been thinking in Irish as a result & English feels strange! Basically we had four classes a day, then a céilí or Tráth na gCeist or something later. Yesterday our ‘activity’ was an oral. I was freaking out, I’m not confident in Irish after Junior Cert, but I managed to go in, and come out with a “Go hiontach!” & 78%! Needless to say I was delighted, I felt so happy that I managed to actually speak. When we started Irish Oral two months ago, my voice shook & I wanted to cry after being asked questions (I don’t know why.) and I’ve built myself up to a B2! And just to top it all off – We spent that night in Maggie Dan’s, a pizza place with a few of the girls playing irish music, & teachers giving prizes. The girls that did Irish dancing, played music, & won the quiz all got vouchers, then there were prizes for the people that made the most effort – & I got one! In that moment, I just genuinely got a sense of “I can do this.” I mean, I love Irish, I just feel it’s a weak subject And I was a lot happier with 78% in irish oral than 86% in german. I think the moment you do well in your worst subject is definitely a happy one! But, basically, the trip was amazing & definitely worthwhile, so I’d recommend a trip there. Obviously the cost is pretty prohibitive, it put me off summer courses, but the 5 days cost me €180 with no extra cost. Personally, it was worth it. Agus, mo chairde, sin é. I need sleep. I’ve forgotten what it is, & unfortunately, I have school tomorrow. Which means results. Slán!

Hey everyone

Mid-Term is finally here and I hope everyone reading this is finished their Mocks, and if not I pity you, I truly do. I remember thinking when we found out when our Mocks were that I would have preferred them after the mid-term. But now I couldn’t be happier to have them finished

Here’s a quick breakdown of how they went

Irish Paper One After doing Honours for 5 years, it was a bit of a doddle. That’s no disrespect to anyone doing Pass but its just how I feel.

History Oh Dear Lord. My hand after that exam was in bits. Everything I wanted came up but it didn’t make it any less difficult. The timing in it was just impossible.

Irish Paper 2 Again, quite easy.  Probably should have studied a little but meh.

Physics Could have went better. Could have went a hell of a lot worse. Tricky but nothing I shouldn’t have been able to handle.

Applied Maths Bahahahaha. Ha. That’s all I could do during this exam. It was impossible. I almost certainly failed. Better now than in June tho.

Hope everyone enjoys their mid-term
Next stop, Orals

Niamh xx

I must say I’m wild sorry. About a week ago I promised that I’d have a post that night. Well for any of ye waiting (I hope there was a nice orderly line ) an update is here.

Since my last post I got through the big freeze, a trip to Wales, 4 days over Christmas in beautiful Donegal and those lovely Christmas tests. I was dreading these quite a bit and the tension only increased when I saw that Maths and Physics were together on one day. Not only that but it was Monday. Maths first on a Monday morning is not nice and even worse………I was only getting in from Wales at 6pm on the Sunday after the Munster game. Thankfully the tests wern’t as bad as the game and I got a bit of a surprise when the results came in the post. Although there was not one A on the page, there was the equivalent of 475 points. Delighteddddddd

Both the college courses I’m looking at would be fairly accessable with those points if I came out with them in August 2012. As for college, I’ve been doing a bit of reading up on different things. One big draw is Journalism in DCU or UL. If anyone has any expierence on those courses or any info……do tell. Mabye it’s destiny because only last week I got picked to become part of the editorial team of UCC’s CONNECT magazine. All those attending the spring open day in April will get a mag so any mistakes in it i’ll apologise on here

The other college course drawing a bit of attention on my part is Elec Eng in UCC. It is being pushed big time at the minute so mabye I’m just being sucked in hahahaha. The National Elec Eng quiz was on today all over the country and amazingly my team managed to win both the UCC round and in the process also became All Ireland Champions. A Shock….Yes. Expected….Nooo. We were the very first 5th years ever to win it. Wow.

Back in school everything is pressing ahead full steam. In Physics we’re gone onto Waves, We’re nearly finshed Hamlet and our Irish novel Tig Na Tit Orm (Which we now only do 9 chapters of ) is nearly done. Regional Geography is a doddle really and we’re hitting projectiles in Applied Maths in our after school class.

I guess thats it for now. I’ll try and keep these updates  a bit more often if possible.

Cian

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!

Ahh guys, cut Irish some slack.

I was reading through a few other posts and decided I might as well give my own opinion on the matter!  I don’t especially love or hate Irish, its just another subject thrown into the mix. And like everything else, there’s a method to it. Once you know how to deal with Irish essays and poetry and the likes, then it gets easier. ALOT easier.

Time for a little confession  – I’ve never in my life written my own essay. Honest to blog. To be completely truthful, I couldn’t even if I wanted to. My grammar would be cringe-worthy. I learned somewhere mid-2nd year that writing “What you think” instead of “what you know” is a big mistake.  Examiners aren’t interested in your thoughts about politics or modern Ireland, they just want to know you can express these thoughts in good Irish. Basically one leads on to the other – good Irish = good ideas. The secret weapon? Sample essays. I steal paragraphs here and there and combine a multitude of well written articles to create a base essay on whatever topic in question…It works.  Irish isn’t like English – everyone can produce the same essay and nobodys gonna scream plagiarism. And it isn’t just essays this works for – Learning off  notes on poems, novels, stair na Gaeilge, etc. It’s easy if you just sit down and learn it. Then again, I guess learning directly isn’t for everyone, but for me I have to do the “word for word” thing. It saves me so much hassle!

Plus where’s everyone’s patriotism? Our langauge is one of the few remaining things that seperate us from all the other countries. That and the sheer hilarity of our government (anybody see Jay Leno? Youtube it. Brian Cowen is shamed.) So to cut my ranting before it gets out of hand, I’m gonna stop this post here. More to come on something other than Irish soon (I promise!)

Sorcha  x

I noticed from my last post that I came across as one of those ‘Why do we have to do Irish, it’s stupid’ people. I actually love Irish, I was just asking why we ignore some of the basics. Although in a way I agree with those of you who think that studying a modern European language from an early age would be of more benefit. But really, how many of us can say we haven’t been abroad and found ourselves conversing with each other in our gcúpla focail, however basic our knowledge may be? Ciúnas bóthar cailín bainne being the phrase that springs to mind. We do this for one of two reasons; to confuse the locals, or to display our pride in our country, which managed to keep the flame of our native language lit through 200 years of persecution. Now, it often is the former: ‘is fear ramhar Meiriceánach é’, but I believe that we enjoy the sense of pride we get from being able to speak in a language unique to ourselves.
I was interested to read in ‘Dréimire’ last year that according to the 2006 census, there were twice as many people without Irish unemployed as there were people with Irish. Interpret that whatever way you want, but I think having Irish will stand to you, even after the Leaving. As a good friend once told me: ‘S’fearr Gaeilge briste ná Béarla cliste!’

I did the UKCAT on Tuesday. I got an overall score of 590, 600 being the average, so I was kinda disappointed, but in fairness I’m hoping to stay in Ireland. My scores went thusly!

Verbal reasoning: 640
Quantitative reasoning: 560
Abstract reasoning: 610
Decision analysis: 550

At the end they put you in a really difficult situation, like ‘Would you embezzle money from the bank where you have been a trusted employee for twenty years to pay for cancer treatment for your partner?’ The hardest thing is trying to know what they want you to say, but I guess the nature of the test is that they want to test your character.

Musical is getting frighteningly close…

I’ve started revising! Some of you will be thinking why so soon? Others that I’m starting late. The fact is that I wish I’d touched on some subjects over summer, but the best I can do is start right now!

The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago.
The second best time is now.

Adam out.