23 and Want to do Leaving Cert..HELP!

mandymoo999 · 09-02-2010 7:10pm #1

Hi everyone,
I am 23 and want to return to do my leaving cert, i was made redundant from my job last year and want to bite the bullet and do what iv always dreamed of doing join the AGS. I am on social welfare and living in Galway and no one can help me other than going to yeats college privatley and costing 7 grand !! but i really want to do it,been to the vec and there telling me there is just no demand for etc etc. Iv been trying for a few months now and just hitting brick walls and beginning to feel like im not meant to do it and just give up...Does anyone have any ideas./advice anything would be so appreciated..

_Music_ · 09-02-2010 7:18pm

I really dont see another way to do the leaving cert except pay privately (but i havent that much knowledge on that!). Im from Galway too (rural) and in my scool they do FETAC courses for people you havent got a leaving cert or want to better themselves or whatever reason! Have you looked into one of them!?
Sorry i cant really help!

pathway33 · 09-02-2010 7:49pm

I posted on another thread a few days ago about the option of doing the leaving cert course yourself without any teachers or going to a school. Would you be up for that?

mandymoo999 · 09-02-2010 9:50pm

The AGs dont accept Fetac so thats out..To answer you Pathway i would do anything that i had to do in order to sit my leaving cert but it would be hard to teach myself in all fairness iv been out of school 7 years now and dont think id manage the maths,irish etc id try it but dont think id mange if i was to admit...

pathway33 · 09-02-2010 10:25pm

mandymoo999 wrote: »

The AGs dont accept Fetac so thats out..To answer you Pathway i would do anything that i had to do in order to sit my leaving cert but it would be hard to teach myself in all fairness iv been out of school 7 years now and dont think id manage the maths,irish etc id try it but dont think id mange if i was to admit...

As I understand it you have a choice between english or irish, so if irish is a problem then just leave it out. If I was you I'd have a crack at the leaving cert in 2011 or 2012. You could even just do 1 or 2 subjects next year as an external candidate just to give yourself the belief that you can do it on your own. What's the worst that can happen? Have a look at the list of english novels on for leaving cert 2011 (www.education.ie) and pick one you would enjoy. If you really want the guards then you can't let it slip away from you. There'll always be someone here to answer a question.

Geard · 10-02-2010 2:25am

It's people like you that made it harder for us YOUNG students to get into collage.

Moshimoshi · 10-02-2010 2:29am

You should consider studying yourself. It sounds daunting at first, but if you know the structure of the course and the layout of the exam paper for each of your subjects it will seem way more manageable. The revision books explain the course layout and exactly what you need to know. The hardest thing then is just motivating yourself. Also, your subject choices are important, some are easier to teach yourself than others, and some have a practical element which takes a lot of pressure off.
I think the hardest aspect of teaching yourself is knowing what's required and having the motivation to get it done, the learning itself is much easier. However, this is coming from the perspective of someone who has done fifth year and a couple of months of 6th year in school, so it's obviously a lot easier for me. It's definitely an option to consider if you're motivated enough though!

randylonghorn · 10-02-2010 9:40am

Geard wrote: »

It's people like you that made it harder for us YOUNG students to get into collage.

And with that intellectual openness of mind, perhaps that might be as well!

I love the idea that 23 is not young ...

I love the idea that 17-18 year olds are the only ones with an automatic right to go to college (or even "collage") ...

Though as I have pointed out on a number of threads, most mature students won't be in direct competition with you lot anyway, and most of the increased competition will come from the fact that more people your own age want to go to college, because there are no jobs out there for them.

Don't post in this thread again unless you have something more constructive to bring to it.

felic · 10-02-2010 11:00am

Have you looked into those correspondence learning courses? Basically, I think how it works is you pay a small fee at the start per subject and the send you out material per chapter. You do the exercises at the end and send your work back to them. They correct it fast and send you back the next module. and so on.
I think they also have a web based tutorial site to help you along. Might be an option.

mandymoo999 · 10-02-2010 9:09pm

Geard wrote: »

It's people like you that made it harder for us YOUNG students to get into collage.

Gerard.....If you bothered to have opened your eyes and read correctly i do not wish to go to college i want to return to do my Leaving Cert not go to college and even if i did i would be entitled to do so, people seem to think that everyone that has no job has decided to now go to college etc et and i say fair play to them its very hard to go back to education after been out workin used to a good wage etc, but you also need to remeber not everyone had the choice to go to college straight after school people from far less well off backgrounds couldnt afford to put there children through college...I suggest unless you have something nice and encouraging to say you post your comments somewhere else in future.... and im still YOUNG by the way.....

mandymoo999 · 10-02-2010 9:17pm

Moshimoshi wrote: »

You should consider studying yourself. It sounds daunting at first, but if you know the structure of the course and the layout of the exam paper for each of your subjects it will seem way more manageable. The revision books explain the course layout and exactly what you need to know. The hardest thing then is just motivating yourself. Also, your subject choices are important, some are easier to teach yourself than others, and some have a practical element which takes a lot of pressure off.
I think the hardest aspect of teaching yourself is knowing what's required and having the motivation to get it done, the learning itself is much easier. However, this is coming from the perspective of someone who has done fifth year and a couple of months of 6th year in school, so it's obviously a lot easier for me. It's definitely an option to consider if you're motivated enough though!

I reckon once i get into it i would be fine i am quite motivated anyway but im trying to think i know i could get grinds and that but i wouldnt know where to start about finding out the layout of each subject and that i wouldnt have a clue with the maths at all at all found that very difficult in school..

Felic i have looked into one called Kilroys college and thats distance but its 450 euro per subject and i didnt mention earlier i have a 16 month old baby so that kind of money for each subject which is requested up front is something beyond my reach...
I did however find last nite online by chance parnell college in dublin who run the leaving cert course and its funded by vec or vtos not sure which but one anyway so i think i could use that as my last resort if i cant find anything else just means id be up and 5.30 every morning and late home but id do it if i had too...Thanks for your replies guys

mandymoo999 · 10-02-2010 9:20pm

pathway33 wrote: »

As I understand it you have a choice between english or irish, so if irish is a problem then just leave it out. If I was you I'd have a crack at the leaving cert in 2011 or 2012. You could even just do 1 or 2 subjects next year as an external candidate just to give yourself the belief that you can do it on your own. What's the worst that can happen? Have a look at the list of english novels on for leaving cert 2011 (www.education.ie) and pick one you would enjoy. If you really want the guards then you can't let it slip away from you. There'll always be someone here to answer a question.

Meant to say thank you to you for such a positive message, means alot when you feel like you should give up..:)

xoxyx · 10-02-2010 9:23pm

Check out ABLE (Adult Basic Learning for Everyone). I left school early and went back and did the LC at 19. I didn't want to go back to school full time either. This course cost something like €75 a subject and I got the fifth free. It was two hours per week per subject for about seven months and I passed the LC no problemo. I think it's easier when you're a bit older too and are doing it because you want to.
I did my course in the Adult Education Centre in Blanchardstown, but I'm sure there are other providers that may be a bit closer to home than Kilroy's.
Also, if the VEC near you is saying that there's low demand, there's no harm in seeing if you can get a few people interested in the course (free ads or something). Some of my classes went ahead with no more than seven students.
Finally, if none of that works, I'd say you could do it yourself. It may seem daunting, but it's very do-abe.
Maths, for example, you pretty much know what will come up on the paper. If you can familiarise yourself with the LC programme, it's not as bad as you might imagine.
English - again, you can find out what texts are on the syllabus and pore over them. Also, there's a lot of help/analysis of texts available online.
The likes of Business Studies, a bit of common sense can go a long way here. You'd be starting off with an advantage with a bit of life experience.
Then, anything you have an interest it, be it languages, science, home economics; if you chose something you like, it makes things a lot easier.

Piriz · 10-02-2010 9:39pm

hey, i returned to do the LC at 20, i did it in Dublin, perhaps you could consider relocating

Look at Plunket College in Dublin, you'd probably get to keep your social welfare, i did'nt myself as i returned to school from full time employment but you could be eligible for back to education allowance...
i really hope you can find a way to achieve your LC, im so glad i decided to go back when i did...remember where theres a will theres a way!

implausible · 10-02-2010 9:39pm

mandymoo999 wrote: »

been to the vec and there telling me there is just no demand for etc etc.

OP, I cannot believe that neither Galway City or County VECs are running Adult Ed LC courses! Are you sure? How can they know in Feb what the interest is going to be in Sept?

mandymoo999 · 10-02-2010 11:00pm

deemark wrote: »

OP, I cannot believe that neither Galway City or County VECs are running Adult Ed LC courses! Are you sure? How can they know in Feb what the interest is going to be in Sept?

They have only ran one leaving cert course in the last few years as the demand was so low there was an ad in the local paper that everyone reads, advertising the leaving cert and i thought my luck was in and me and one other person turned up...so the course went no further and the education officer said its the same very year so she doubts they run it again but she said il have to wait and see, the last leaving cert course they ran was in co galway which is fine but they only did five subjects which is all i need but they were subjects that i would find very hard to pass like one was agricultural science the other metal work,i would try anything in order to get there but i would find it very hard to put myself through two years of ag science and metalwork when i have no interset in either of the subjects..i'l try and see about that ABLE and see how i go and if nothing comes up this side of the country il either travel to dublin or move....i'l just have to do what it takes....thanks for the encouragment guys cant tell ya how much it helps..

spurious · 10-02-2010 11:12pm

If you do end up coming to Dublin, contact Pearse College (CDVEC). They specialise in adult LC courses and offer a wide selection of subjects.
http://www.pearsecollege.ie/adult_leaving_certificate.html

implausible · 11-02-2010 12:12am

mandymoo999 wrote: »

the last leaving cert course they ran was in co galway which is fine but they only did five subjects which is all i need but they were subjects that i would find very hard to pass like one was agricultural science the other metal work,i would try anything in order to get there but i would find it very hard to put myself through two years of ag science and metalwork when i have no interset in either of the subjects.

That's a pity OP. We've seen the demand for LC and FETAC courses soar up here (Donegal) due to the R-word. The advantage of the VEC system is that you get to keep your benefits, so try other counties nearby e.g. Clare, Mayo and ring Galway City VEC and county every now and then to ask/nag, as the situation may change, it is only Feb!

Don't get too hung up on the choice of subjects, as these centres are often quite small, they can't offer the choice that the private colleges would. Anyway, you could always pick up an another subject and do it in your own time. Tbh, Ag science would be one of the handier subjects to pick up, even if you're not interested in it.

Good luck!

larakebab · 18-02-2010 1:45am

Piriz wrote: »

hey, i returned to do the LC at 20, i did it in Dublin, perhaps you could consider relocating

Look at Plunket College in Dublin, you'd probably get to keep your social welfare, i did'nt myself as i returned to school from full time employment but you could be eligible for back to education allowance...
i really hope you can find a way to achieve your LC, im so glad i decided to go back when i did...remember where theres a will theres a way!

no your wrong where there is a will there is a relation!!

loveroflight · 18-02-2010 3:14am

Pm me if you need advice about Maths.

messed up · 09-12-2011 12:50am

hey mandymoo just wondering did you find any way to do the leaving yet. I am almost 24 with a 9 week old baby and having being thinking about going back to do the l.c. I am in employment but have a bad feeling it wont last for much longer any info would be great Thanks.

Macushlablue · 18-12-2011 5:59pm

PM me if you need any help or advice about the English course.

daithilong · 13-07-2013 3:13pm

Hi,
I'm 41 and don't have much in the way of education. I've been doing manual work most my life and still am. The pay is rubbish and I have a mortgage to pay. I'm relying on my partner to pay most of the bills. I would love to be able to do my Leaving Cert and go onto further Education but can't find anyone who does it in Galway.
I can't afford to do it at Kilroys College as each subject costs around 450 euro. I would really love to turn my life around and get a proper Education. Can anyone point me in the right direction on what to do or where I can go.
I'd appreciate it immensely.

spurious · 13-07-2013 3:42pm

daithilong wrote: »

Hi,
I'm 41 and don't have much in the way of education. I've been doing manual work most my life and still am. The pay is rubbish and I have a mortgage to pay. I'm relying on my partner to pay most of the bills. I would love to be able to do my Leaving Cert and go onto further Education but can't find anyone who does it in Galway.
I can't afford to do it at Kilroys College as each subject costs around 450 euro. I would really love to turn my life around and get a proper Education. Can anyone point me in the right direction on what to do or where I can go.
I'd appreciate it immensely.

Did you contact the Adult Ed. officers in Galway City VEC and Galway County VEC?
The best path for you in your circumstances may be to use the FETAC route into college.

23 and Want to do Leaving Cert..HELP!

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