Whilst examinations can evoke a sense of anxiety, it’s crucial to maintain one’s tranquillity and serenity. This wisdom was imparted to us by Alice, our educational facilitator, who advocated for a balanced lifestyle during these times, encouraging outdoor activities and regular engagement in one or two leisure pursuits. I’ve found this counsel vastly beneficial. As such, I’ve managed to sustain my volunteering work at the neighbourhood horse barns and my athletic endeavours, save for the last week when I withdrew for a short period amidst the strain of two math papers.
Indeed, it’s common knowledge that there is a school of thought that inspires us to maximise every conscious second with studies. However, I’ve arrived at a stage where I trust in the work I’ve put in and the aid provided by our educators in their utmost capacity.
In this respect, the tutors at Stepaside Educate Together have undeniably done their bit. For instance, in English paper two, they’d accurately predicted all five poets. Granted, the query on Plath may have been a tad tricky, the Heaney question was within my means. Similarly, in Irish paper one, a familiar question about a seasonal part-time job became our saving grace.
Further, in Irish paper two, the poetry and prose sections were as per our predictions, thanks to our thorough preparations. I also tackled the biology paper earlier today. Despite its complexity largely due to a surplus of botanical questions and a dearth of human body-related ones, I felt well equipped due to the array of alternatives and the impeccable groundwork by our teacher. So far, this subject was the one I excelled in the most.
I’m left with three assessments – Mandarin, Chemistry, and Physical Education. Since Mandarin and Physical Education are relatively recent choices for Leaving Cert students, they might not be commonly understood. My decision to opt for Mandarin was influenced by the intrigue it sparked during a taster session. A monumental factor in my success has been our exceptional tutor, who tailored his teaching methods to our requirements, setting oral exams at a faster pace than the Leaving Cert norm would demand, and regularly testing our progress.
Regarding Physical Education, I’ve always been passionate about sports, participating in athletics and even coaching others. A compelling aspect of PE is that the evaluation process only involves a 50% written examination, whilst the rest is split between a practical exam (20%) and a performance assessment (30%). The idea of entering the examination room with half of the assessment already fulfilled from the beginning was particularly engaging, as I don’t consider essay writing to be my forte. Rather, I find project-based work more enjoyable. On the whole, I can say that so far, my Leaving Cert journey has been somewhat comfortable.