Maintaining equilibrium has been a key aspect of my preparation for The Leaving Cert. I’ve juggled between extensive studying and avoiding fatigue by ensuring I sleep well and engage in healthful practices. Prioritising time for regular meals away from my study area and familial interaction has helped keep me grounded and avoid overly isolating myself. So far, the strategy seems to be successful.
On the day of the exams, I arrived at school a tad early to discuss our expectations and fears with my friends which greatly assuaged the initial trepidation. The first English paper was manageable with its relatable themes centred around connections, though the second English paper involving Hamlet and poetry was subjected to a lot of critique.
I found the questions on Hamlet to be particularly taxing. One of the questions revolved around viewing the play as a “surprisingly hopeful and positive drama” – a perspective few found agreeable. Alternatively, we were tasked to dissect Hamlet’s relationship with his mother – a minor character in the play.
Regarding the poetry segment, I was initially keen to write about Sylvia Plath, but the question was slanted towards her role as a “social commentator” rather than as a purveyor of deeply personal poetry as we learnt in class. Fortunately, I managed to answer a question on Seamus Heaney instead.
Finally, the maths papers came in quickly. The first paper was tolerable, with a significant focus on financial mathematics. The second paper was more agreeable than expected, even with my apprehension about trigonometry.
In the Irish language exam, I found the listening comprehension portion challenging due to the variety of accents, despite the rest of the paper being a breeze, thanks to our well-prepared teachers and prompting cues on the paper. These allowed us to gravitate towards enjoyable parts of the language.
Yet to be tackled are Irish paper two, biology, art history, Spanish and music.
Once everything has been completed, I’m excited about a planned week-long trip with a mate and their family. I’ll also keep building my art portfolio, get a part-time job and save up some dough.