It saddens me to inform you, my dear cyberspace pals, that the novelty of being in Sixth Year has finally worn off for me. I now sit here in my study, surrounded by dictionaries, folders bursting with handouts, a leaning tower of textbooks and the shattered remains of my social life. I want out!

While reading through a college prospectus yesterday, it struck me that in order to get into any course, I’m going to need quite a few of these ‘magic points’. Think about it, points obtained from Leaving Cert results really are like magic. You can’t buy them, or sell them (although what a nice money-making scheme that would be) and they have total power over your future. They decide whether you’re going to be the next Marie Curie or the next Marie Curie’s cleaner (hey, someone’s got to clean all those test tubes). And it’s looking like I’m going to require over the 460 mark for anything I want to do. I think it’s time to go into a corner and sob quietly.

On the bright side, my attention span has been at its best these past few weeks. Facebook has been so boring that I’m not even tempted to go on it and would almost rather write my essay on Fianna Fáil’s cultural policy (I said almost). At least on Saturday and Sunday evenings I can look forward to The X Factor, a break I reward myself only if I study. Which I do because I’m not going to miss Cher singing. That girl is too cool.

Is anyone else going to the NUIG Open Day on Friday or Saturday? I’m definitely going because it’s more than likely my future destination. Sunday Times University Of The Year 2009! It’s also moved up to the spot of 232nd best university in the world. Out of 252… It’s getting there.

Hey guys!

I can’t actually remember the last time I blogged. I’m terrible! I’ve become so lazy these days…I’m barely making it into school! But that’s been put a stop to since…..THE XMAS REPORT. I wasn’t really planning on letting my parents see it but they insisted that I give it to them. I always hated school reports. There’s always some comment or result I figure is safer not to let them see. But the results weren’t too bad…English 68, French 60, Biology 75, History 70, Business 86…fairly alright results for me but do you think the teachers could leave it at that…hmmm….no!

There had to be remarks about my high absenteeism from school. I had my father convinced that I didn’t actually have to go to school the full week and only really had to go for three days tops. Everyone was happy out with this arrangement..especially me! But now it’s been ruined. The teachers couldn’t just write good result or whatever, they had to point out the bad also. Is it really only me that understands that I can work far better at my own pace at home with my kettle at hand?? Now, my father is insisting that I go in…Everyday! That’d be fine except…I have 25 free classes a week! I don’t want to spend all that time sitting in a cold hall. And I get so much done at home….I really want to quit school…..

But on the plus side Joe won the X Factor!! He is actually sex on legs! Though my friend thinks he possibly bats for the other side…not my opinion though…himself and Mrs. Cole have deffo got something going on! And The Apprentice Final is on tonight….bets to whos gonna win?? Steve Rayner ftw!!

So, asides from the whole ‘I have to go to school thing’, Life is good!  Btw, does anyone know where I can watch Il Postino on the ‘net??

They watched it in English but….I wasn’t in….ok, maybe they do have a point….I also do have a lot of homework to catch up on….Oh shit!Gotta go!

Warning: This blog contains some emotional and distressing content from a very pathetic girl on a very frivolous subject.

I felt it necessary to blog at this unplanned time because life as I knew it these past few weeks is over.

John and Edward have been booted off The X Factor.

Yes, I know it wasn’t fair they got through week after week but I loved them. I really did. In all my sixteen years of living, they were my first proper celebrity crush… you know, the ones people usually develop for guys in Westlife at the age of seven? They were always just so…happy. And as wild as the hair was, there was something downright attractive about it. I was a follower since Boot Camp and they’ve come a long way, albeit with some pretty cheesy performances since then!

At this point, we must remember they had a life before The X Factor. They were in Leaving Cert, like most of the bloggers here. Apparently they were very good at art, especially calligraphy. Then all of a sudden, they were Jedward. They were being debated, tweeted and written about daily and I’m sure the LC was far from their minds.

Okay, so I know this is a very pathetic blog and is the most emotion I’ve expressed possibly ever but we must see light at the end of the tunnel. No more distractions for me! Sure, I’ll still watch The X Factor but it just won’t be on the top priority list; rather, it’ll be replaced by my upcoming Christmas tests.

So John and Edward, it was a great couple of months. You made everyone have an opinion on something so insignificant and while I suffered some taunts for sticking up for you, by the end most of my friends were converted to Jedwardism. Perhaps someday I’ll fulfill my dream of meeting you but until then, I have tests to study for and you have some calligraphy to finish.

New Moon. Edward Cullen. Xfactor. Tests. Work. Mocks. Christmas.

I know il sound like the average teen girl, but i loved new moon. I dragged a certain someone to it, but he enjoyed it, so he says . What did you all think of it? I’m planning on seeing it again next week, or seeing paranormal activity.

So school. I got 100% in economics test. ive never been so proud. and to top it off, i got 100% in intregration math test and accounting too. Its been a long way to my 60% average last year. Im begining to see the slight advantage to repeating. Even though im not fond of repeating im a little less stressed and more focused ( i think).

I was at DCU open day, kinda fell in love with the city, and the talks made up my mind that I don’t want to go through UCAS . I’ll just work hard and get what i deserve and hopefully get into UCD or DCU,   Points wise I need roughly 450, since I reckon points will rise this year, I’m going to aim for more though, really push my limits maybe, hopefully get my entry requirement of a C3 in German so I can qualify for DCU this time. woo.

I just got offered a job and the weekend.. it was spur of the moment, i felt to honoured they approached me. I agreed without thinking how this will affect me.. so within the weekend? :S ah… which come first? presumingly education.. but ahhh!! Its only 5 weeks till Christmas holiday.. by god, I really need to get into it, I just want to prove to all those people that are giving me negativity about this year, ive heard to many time that “whats gonna happen now if you get less points that last year, sickend!” I am thinking of the possibility of banning myself from facebook!

ENOUGH RANT MAY! haha

On a happy note, i havent been this happy all year. im seeing the other side of life and im going to make out a weekly timetable.. and maybe stick to this one. off to homework. Then.. XFACTOR

Byee xx

P.s i need urgent help on theory on Music..  any hints on books, or revision books?

I haven’t blogged in a while,or so it seems:)

I was actually in Glendalough on Friday and just got home there on Sunday night. I had to walk 50km for my silver ‘Gaisce’ award. Call me crazy, yes, I know..”what are you doing that for! it’s 6th year do you honestly have that much free time to be walking when you could be studying!! what the hell!?”. Well I didn’t do TY so I did my bronze award last year and I thought I’d go for silver this year. Simple. So yes that does mean I missed my classes on Saturday in Leeson street. I suppose i can catch up, what’s a couple of missing notes going to do? (”everything”, she says silently).

Well I have a few problems this week. ANY help is appreciated. HOW in the name of God do you study for the L.C Irish exam? I mean seriously!! I just realised I’m screwed. I have like over 200 sheets of papers with notes on ‘Clare sa spéir’ or ‘An Gealt’ and ‘Dán do Mhelissa’ etc etc. I just never learned them off, and now I have no idea how I’m going to do so in a few months. I don’t have the option of dropping down since i need the points and to top it all off, I just sickened myself this week by writing the worst irish essay ever! I thought to myself; why could I write this in French easily and I’ve only been learning that for what? five years? and why can’t I write a simple Irish essay without asking my brother how to say ‘ I went ‘ in Irish when I practically learned Irish my whole life! I’ve never been so frustrated in my life. So sad.

On a happier note (for some) Jamie is gone. Forever. No longer will my stomach churn when I see that ridiculous head of hair, no longer will I flinch when he wears inappropriate V-neck t-shirts that show all. He was a good singer I suppose. Yet, I predict Olly Walls (Murs) will win this year

I applied for the HPAT test online last week and got my CAO code too. RC001. That’s my first choice. Medicine in RCSI. You’d think after putting your first choice down there would be a sudden burst of enthusiasm and zest for the fact that “Hey I should probably study now”.Nope , not yet anyway! I had a test this week on the wonderful, evocative poetry of Eavan Boland. I didn’t do as well as I hoped, I really don’t like poetry questions because they’re just so open! for others that’s a great thing but for me, it’s hard to express my opinions in such a short time, it takes a while for me to get the gist of it and then open up.

And now, please, for the next few seconds I’m going to rant on about the momentous thing that is new moon. “OMG!! I cant wait till Friday! like, it’s going to be mad! It’ll be the first time I’ll be in the new Cinema! OMGOMG thank God Jacob cuts his hair in this one because quite frankly he’s much better looking that way.. i actually dont know what to expect:o Please stick to the books this time!:)

Merci for your patience Whilst studying for my chemistry test on naming planer compounds i was also watching the France V Ireland match. I don’t want to get into it but well done to the lads, everyone could see they were playing much better and really fought for it. I guess it was just unfortunate:( Henry knows what he did…YOU KNOW WHAT YOU DID!!! :K

So that’s it I think,,we shall see what the next week brings. Plenty of Xmas Exams I predict. Oh yes! I’ll be sitting a mock HPAT test this Sunday , you won’t believe how nervous I am!! I’ll blog on that later, but for now Bonne Chance and have a good week

This week I was offered a BIG distraction from my studies. And no, it wasn’t ‘Jedward’ committing sacrilege on one of the greatest ‘Queen’ ballads. This “BIG” distraction is 5 pounds and 13 ounces, smells of talc and is lost in a few cotton blankets: I became an uncle for the first time this week. Unfortunately, I don’t know whether to treat my first nephew as an incentive or disuassion to do well in my leaving cert. because, well, quite bluntly; he’s so damn cute and I feel terrible when I’m not trawling through King Lear and composition papers, but I feel worse when I’m not cuddling “the little bundle of joy”. What to do? What to do?

It’s not that I’m not dedicated to my studies and examinations, but since the little “bloighter” came along I feel a slight responsibility to spend time with him each day. Only trouble is, I spend more and more time with him and less and less time summarising Mussolini’s Italy and the structure of a flowering plant – uh-oh!

Yet, from Monday, I’ve sworn to turn over a new leaf (in my textbooks ) and delve ever-more deeply into the leaving cert. courses. But….It’s “sooooooooo” difficult – boo-hoo! But needs must I suppose. I’m not going to get to college by spending time glowering over a baby who has no intention of comprehending what is going on around him anyway.

However, thanks to all you wonderful people at allhonours.ie I’ve found out that:

a) I DO NOT have to re-sit my maths exam;
b) I now know EXACTLY how to answer difficult questions and;
c) That I’m not the ONLY ONE struggling out there!

It’s a great support system we have here and I intend to take FULL advantage or it!

When I did get time to myself – (today!) – I found myself drawn to the comma-inducing Skytv: Will & Grace, Twilight and The Simpsons… And then we had the X-Factor! How on God’s (or Allah’s or whatever’s) Good Earth did Jedward get through again? That is not to say I was a fan of Jamie Archer’s but still, now two highly talented performers’ – (if we include Lucy) – dreams have been splattered all over Kleenex tissues and £1,000 magazine deals whilst two incredibly talent-LESS vocalists remain in a competition designed to promote the next BIG SUPERSTAR VOCALIST!

Now I’m not suggesting that ‘Jedward’ are completely useless: they are highly entertaining for two tone-deaf, turkey-legged, clumsy teens but when is enough going to be enough? When they actually win the competition and record one of the world’s worst atrocities of a record? They are almost as ridiculous as Donna and Joseph McCaul -remember them? And quite frankly; they are a complete embarrassment with the amount of musical talent this country has to offer – and what is worse is that they were chosen to represent Ireland by Louis Walsh, a fellow Irishman (a trumped-up, prima donna, bitchy Irishman, but an Irishman nonetheless). I do realise he has created highly-coveted groups before in ‘Boyzone’ and ‘Westlife’, but at least those groups had a least one or two competent singers.

We also have another “BIG” distraction for the next three weeks (which are some of the most important for revision before the mocks): ‘I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!’ As tantalizingly shocking as ‘Jedward’ are, Ant and Dec are arguably more-so. And I LOVE ‘EM! They are the best thing to happen to television since ‘Stars In Their Eyes’ – (now THAT was good television! ) – and I’m seething about the fact that under no condition shall I be able to ignore my daily dose of Z-List Celebs bickering, doing trials, eating testes and crying unceremoniously into a  6-inch camera-lens ! Why must my feeble brain be fried by tv that doesn’t matter in “the long run”?

TO-DO LIST:

a) Apply as an external candidate (late I know);
b) Finish an exam paper on each subject (if I can);
c) Apply my C.A.O. application and;
d) Actually do some work!

Well, that about sums it up for this week. What have all of you got set for this week? Is there anything that works as incentives or disuassions for you? Are you growing steadily more addicted to reality tv? Or are you, unlike me, wise enough to stay stuck-to-the-books?

Until next week,

Ian

Let me set the scene for you: Sunday evening, at about eight thirty, a teenage girl sits on the couch after hearing the announcement that John and Edward will be in the sing-off, with two thoughts running through her head. The first thought was “What? This is it? They’re definitely going to go and I might not ever see them again!” Cue melancholy violin music.

However, as I sat there nail biting at the prospect of losing the loves of my life at the hairy hands of Simon Cowell, and tabloid journalists sat nail biting wondering what on earth they’d have left to write about if the twins were to be booted off The X Factor, I decided it’d be better to adopt a more optimistic approach to the whole thing. Ciara’s Thought #2 was, “at least now I’ll have time to study!”

I guess “Business Today” and me just weren’t to be, as I’m sure you all (even those of you living underground) know by now that John and Edward Grimes live to fight another week. Simon Cowell, if you’re reading this (which no doubt you are), I love you man!

We had a half day today so I plan on spending the rest of it looking into ideas for my History Research Topic. We’re starting it this year, which I suppose is wise but it’s so hard to think of something original that has three or more sources. I’m trying to come up with something on Twentieth Century Ireland, which is my favourite topic by far. Also, Christmas Tests are in just over two weeks!

First off, I think we should ALL just proclaim to the world wide web that we do indeed watch and enjoy watching the X Factor on TV3. I should also add that The Hills is addicting too and I should really stop watching that fake trash but I just can’t.

So yeah, I headed down to Leeson Street this morning again for the HPAT preparation class. It started at 10am and finished at 4pm. We got a 5 min break every so often and an hour lunch break at 12.30pm. John Maher, an ex- accountant who decided to do medicine and repeated his LC in 2008  got 600 points and was ranked in the top 1% of people who sat the UPAT (Australia), equivalent of Irish HPAT,he scored 206 out of a possible 300 and is now studying medicine in Dublin. What a guy. He’s sound out and knows what he’s talking about. We Basically got  sheets and sheets and sheets and more sheets on  tips and practice tests and prep sheets and whatever else you can think of. We worked through examples, talked about techniques and logical methods. The main points he had for us were that we need to remain positive calm and time ourselves for each question. Basic common sense but amazing how many people don’t think that way. That was a big thing. I actually thought it was great and really got me motivated. In two weeks time we’ll be back and sit a practice test and get our result to see where we need attention. Its great and I would totally recommend it to anyone who wants to do well in the HPAT but isn’t sure how to tackle it. You need at least 100 plus points in the HPAT plus around 560 points in the LC if you want to get an offer from medical colleges. My friend got 670 and he’s now in RCSI doing med.

To all those people who think HPAT prep courses are a waste of time and money (300 Euro in the institute), all I’ll say is that before, yeah, I did some practice tests and thought I did grand, I found some sections hard and others straight forward. BUT I spent around 5-10 minutes on each of the questions and would get bogged down on one’s I couldn’t understand. I had no exam technique, no time management skills and had no idea what to do if I didn’t know the answers for certain sections. Fact is, this guy has done the test and the LC, he knows what were going through, he knows what can possibly bring up marks and reduce them. I know it’s an aptitude test, not an academic test but just like anything else if your familiar with it, you’ll be more comfortable and perform to the best of your ability.

I know not everyone will go to these prep classes but what I’d suggest is to go to the HPAT Ireland website and order a practice test on-line. Practice that test whenever you feel fresh and time yourself. We were told to spend about 1 minute 20 seconds on each question. Mad I know but If you want to possibly answer all the questions on the paper that’s what you’ll have to do. You’ll get use to it just like the 100 people in my class today did. Also, buy a digital watch, much handier to read and time yourself on. Start reading boring articles in papers like ‘The Irish Times’ or ‘Financial Times’, read one’s you might not like and build up your language because the examiner wants to get you tired and bored and then read the question and say ‘what? that was no where in the text!’ but it was. Always remember that theres only ever ONE right answer and it has to be in the text itself,don’t bring up your own opinions or what you know from studying LC biology. It’s wrong. Also, if your finding a question hard chances are others are aswell,you all have the same paper, if the room is cold it’s cold for everyone?

Much more useful

Just stay positive and believe in yourself. Think of it as an Olympics for academics, don’t you want the gold medal? well then you need to work really hard and train yourself and stay away from unnecessary things that will distract you from your goal. Make the most of the few months because then you’ll be where you want to be. Just put in the effort now and if you don’t get what you want at least you can say ‘ I tried ‘.

So that’s my opinion on the HPAT. Good luck to anyone who’s hoping to do it and remember to register now!

Have a good week

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

‘Tús maith, leath na hoibre’, once known as a simple Irish proverb meaning ‘A good start is half the work’, is now my mantra of 5th Year. Or so I said six weeks ago.