Is there shame in doing ordinary level

thatone!

I was just wondering what people thought about doing ordinary level do you think that there is any shame in doing it? I know in my school there is! I don't think this is fair as not everyone is good at a specific subject! What are your opinions?

None. It is your leaving cert. I did one pass subject because I didn't want to spend loads of time on Irish, and that I was doing 7 other honour subjects. Shame? Pah. Was a great decision looking back on it.

thatone!

I know,people shouldn't be judged for their ability

mmad

Nope. If you know for definate what you want to do after school (be it a trade or college) then do ordinary in the subjects that are holding you back.

nerdysal

I've dropped Higher Irish. What's the point in getting yourself all in a tizzy about a subject you don't need? there's absolutely no shame in it in our school. In fact most people do 6 honours and 1 pass to ease the pressure.

Killaqueen!!!

I've dropped Higher Irish as well. I actually love the language and would love to be able to speak it fluently but I'm just not good enough! I blame the course..:P

There's no shame whatsoever. There's always going to be a stigma upon a student who does all ordinary level but there's nothing shameful about a few OL subjects, especially if you know you can afford it, points wise.

I can't stand the snobby all honours students in my year...GRRR!

nerdysal

It is the course isn't it??? I'm fine with structuring sentences but as for the stupid stories and that :eek:. I'm grand with French... the Dept of Edu seriously needs to look at updating the syllabus!

Cokehead Mother

Doing ordinary level means you're an inferior human being and you have nothing to offer society. NOTHING.

Slippin Jimmy

No I don't think there is any shame in it at all. I am doing two honours-English, and History. Doing 5 pass - Irish, French, Maths, Accountancy, and Economics. The main reason I am doing mainly pass is because I don't study much and I only need 200 points. I got a little less than this in my mocks, but I am confident for the real thing that I will get over 200.

Mark200

No I don't think there's any shame in it. Some very clever people can do many ordinary level subjects simply because they have no interest in them. I know that for many people, me included, I find it very hard to learn or study something that I have no interest in.
And then for things I do have interest in, I find it very easy.

rainbowtrout

thatone! wrote: »

I was just wondering what people thought about doing ordinary level do you think that there is any shame in doing it? I know in my school there is! I don't think this is fair as not everyone is good at a specific subject! What are your opinions?

don't worry about what your school think, they can't make you do higher level. Your leaving cert is about you, not your school. If you are struggling with a subject at HL and are at risk of failing it, or finding the pressure too much, then do ordinary level. my brother was rubbish at Irish and did honours until some point in 3rd year, he wanted to change to OL and his teacher said to my mother at the parent teacher meeting 'I'd prefer him to fail honours than do pass' which was frankly bizarre. He did OL in the end and was happier with his decision.

I try to get as many of my students as possible to do higher level if they are able for it but some students just don't have the ability in some subjects and would do better on an ordinary level paper and I would advise a student of the same if it's better for them.

Jonathan

No shame in it what so ever. I did 8 subjects last year, 6 hons and 2 pass.
I wasnt arsed to spend time studying languages, and so I did pass Irish and German. There were people in my year that spent time doing 8 hons subjects.
One of them in particular, I know for a fact he could have done much better than if he didnt do 8 hons. Up to you OP, but it worked for me.
If we were counting 8 subjects for the cao they all would have been better off... but we not, we counting 6.. Be smart and use the rules to your advantage.
I have my points in my LC, they have their "prestige" of doing 8 hons subjects.

JC 2K3

Killaqueen!!! wrote: »

I can't stand the snobby all honours students in my year...GRRR!

That's called jealousy.

You're a lesser human being if you do OL, it's a common fact that's often ignored in our PC obsessed society.

Xhristy

This post has been deleted.

Redisle

I think dropping to ordinary is grand, no shame in dropping to OL in a subject your not very strong in.
Im doing 8 honours at the moment but Im thinking of dropping to OL Irish because I really can't see myself putting in the effort in the next few months to even get a C in honours (Fair enough, I could probably do allright if I really tried, but I do have 7 other honours to study for..), Ive never been that good at it and Don't think I need it so Im probably going to drop.
A bit off topic, but does anyone know if honours Irish is actually needed for anything other than primary teaching? Reason being I don't want to drop it if it will limit me in later life and Im not ruling out secondary teaching as a possible future job.. You don't need honours Irish for secondary teaching right?

Fad

JC 2K3 wrote: »

That's called jealousy.

You're a lesser human being if you do OL, it's a common fact that's often ignored in our PC obsessed society.

well said

coming from me whoes doing OL maths

MaltEagle

Do what you want to do. It's your Leaving Cert and your ability is unique!

Chunky Monkey

Duffff-Man wrote: »

No I don't think there is any shame in it at all. I am doing two honours-English, and History. Doing 5 pass - Irish, French, Maths, Accountancy, and Economics. The main reason I am doing mainly pass is because I don't study much and I only need 200 points. I got a little less than this in my mocks, but I am confident for the real thing that I will get over 200.

Did you make sure that the course you want to do doesn't require a certain number of honours subjects? My friend got screwed by that one-had enough points but not enough honours level subjects.

I dropped to ordinary level Irish after the mocks in third year purely out of laziness, the multiple choice questions were just too tempting

rainbowtrout

Chunky Monkey wrote: »

Did you make sure that the course you want to do doesn't require a certain number of honours subjects? My friend got screwed by that one-had enough points but not enough honours level subjects.

I dropped to ordinary level Irish after the mocks in third year purely out of laziness, the multiple choice questions were just too tempting

yep, that can be a big problem. Dropping to ordinary level because you're finding the course difficult is fine, dropping out of laziness could be a potential problem down the line when you want to change course in college, take a year out, apply for something different, and you find that the grades you had which were fine at the time, now aren't good enough for a course you want to do.

Have seen a few students drop from say 3 honours/ 4 passes to all passes in the weeks before the leaving when they were accepted onto a course/didn't need honours for their course, and then a year later having to repeat because they didn't like the course but were restricted in what they could apply for with their original results.

rainbowtrout

Redisle wrote: »

I think dropping to ordinary is grand, no shame in dropping to OL in a subject your not very strong in.
Im doing 8 honours at the moment but Im thinking of dropping to OL Irish because I really can't see myself putting in the effort in the next few months to even get a C in honours (Fair enough, I could probably do allright if I really tried, but I do have 7 other honours to study for..), Ive never been that good at it and Don't think I need it so Im probably going to drop.
A bit off topic, but does anyone know if honours Irish is actually needed for anything other than primary teaching? Reason being I don't want to drop it if it will limit me in later life and Im not ruling out secondary teaching as a possible future job.. You don't need honours Irish for secondary teaching right?

No it's not needed for secondary teaching.

csm

just saw this thread title on the front page so thought i'd gatecrash the LC party.

no shame whatsoever, that's ridiculous. i did a couple ordinary level subjects and I'm now a marine scientist. and one of my degrees is actuarial studies. it has nothing to do with your intelligence. it has everything to do with choosing the best route for you.

although obviously when you reach the point where you might wanna have kids, you should probably adopt from an honours student. for the good of society

spurious

Most people doing the Leaving Cert. do Ordinary Level.
Boards.ie does not reflect the real world.

Ignorance and snobbish attitudes are something to be ashamed of, there is no shame in sitting an Ordinary Level Leaving Certificate.

Agent Smith

Cokehead Mother wrote: »

Doing ordinary level means you're an inferior human being and you have nothing to offer society. NOTHING.

And that post makes you look both big AND clever!

philologos

A minority of people in my year, don't do ordinary level in a subject at least. I personally do Ordinary Maths as it's just too hard to keep up in honours.

~Candy~

nah, like there is this lad in my year he got 10As in the JC, he dropped higher maths just before xmas ,i was there WHAT O_o but like he wants more time for other subjects ( well mostly irish) .

i do one pass as well,like i know i wouldn't have an chance in getting A or B in English , so i am not even gonna waste my tiem on trying -_- lol ~~i have a excuse for that though ..a bad one..=O ..:D

Jonathan

~Candy~ wrote: »

nah, lyk there is this lad n my yr he got 10As in the JC, he dropped higher maths jst b4 xmas ,i was there WHAT O_o but like he wants more tym for other subjects ( well mostly irish) .

i do one pass as well,lyk i no i wudnt have an chance in getting A or B in English , so i am not even gonna waste my tym on trying -_- lol ~~i have a excuse for that tho ..a bad one..=O ..:D

I despise text speak :mad:

nerdysal

you're not the only one...

~Candy~

jmccrohan wrote: »

I despise text speak :mad:

sorry ..=O
let me edit it ..

Naikon

spurious wrote: »

Most people doing the Leaving Cert. do Ordinary Level.
Boards.ie does not reflect the real world.

Ignorance and snobbish attitudes are something to be ashamed of, there is no shame in sitting an Ordinary Level Leaving Certificate.

Correct:)

My brother sat all ordinary subjects for his LC and passed. He didn't get that many points at all. Not that it matters much considering he has a good job with a decent starting pay and good prospects. Keep in mind he has only left school.
The point being that college and the LC is not worth much in the long run.

I am in college and while I find it suits me, it does not work for alot of people irresepective of their academic "intelligence".
Keep in mind that after the first year of college, the results you obtaind in college are far more important than lc points/grades. Believe me.

nerdysal

JC 2K3 wrote: »

That's called jealousy.

You're a lesser human being if you do OL, it's a common fact that's often ignored in our PC obsessed society.

Please tell me you are joking... you cannot be serious...

Naikon

JC 2K3 wrote: »

That's called jealousy.

You're a lesser human being if you do OL, it's a common fact that's often ignored in our PC obsessed society.

Haha, I hope you're not serious:D
Since you mention politcal correctness I am less inclined to believe this.

Cokehead Mother

jmccrohan wrote: »

I despise text speak :mad:

I love it.

thatone!

In my school everyone thinks that whoever is doing ordinary is stupid. You get treated badly like you can't achieve anything

nerdysal

Well, they're the eejits like some of the people on this board I could mention who say people that do ordinary level are lesser beings. GET A LIFE PEOPLE... intelligence isn't everything... you have to have a personality too!

Rockee

spurious wrote: »

Most people doing the Leaving Cert. do Ordinary Level.
Boards.ie does not reflect the real world.

Ignorance and snobbish attitudes are something to be ashamed of, there is no shame in sitting an Ordinary Level Leaving Certificate.

Here here

thatone!

Exactly judgement shouldn't be based on intelligence

~Candy~

Cokehead Mother wrote: »

I love it.

haha ..*handshake* yeah...i text too much -_-

Jonathan

Cokehead Mother wrote: »

Doing ordinary level means you're an inferior human being and you have nothing to offer society. NOTHING.

Cokehead Mother wrote: »

I love it.

Do you try to be obnoxious or does it come naturally?

aliqueenb

No of course there is not really any shame, though tbh i don't want to have to, i'd love to be able to do honours maths for lc but am doubtful even though i like got an a in junior cert honours maths

~Candy~

thatone! wrote: »

In my school everyone thinks that whoever is doing ordinary is stupid. You get treated badly like you can't achieve anything

:eek:!!that's so mean like...!!!!
in my school they are some ppl who don't do anything and always messing in classes, it kinda give some of the ordinary classes a bad name...if you know what i mean

Cokehead Mother

jmccrohan wrote: »

Do you try to be obnoxious or does it come naturally?

The first quote obviously wasn't serious and there's nothing wrong with text speak. One quarter the vowels in half time, what's not to love?

thatone!

Yeah its really mean because your looked down on

Cokehead Mother

aliqueenb wrote: »

i'd love to be able to do honours maths for lc but am doubtful even though i like got an a in junior cert honours maths

About 56000 sat JC maths in 2007 and about 4000 got an A in higher.

About 49000 sat LC maths in 2007 and over 6500 got a C3+ in higher.

Don't be silly! :eek:

You're more than capable.

nerdysal

Agree with you there. I got a C in the Junior Cert and if I can stick with honours maths I'm sure you can!!!

JC 2K3

thatone! wrote: »

Exactly judgement shouldn't be based on intelligence

Surely it's a factor though.

Not that many subjects in the LC actually measure intelligence....

nerdysal wrote: »

Well, they're the eejits like some of the people on this board I could mention who say people that do ordinary level are lesser beings. GET A LIFE PEOPLE... intelligence isn't everything... you have to have a personality too!

Yes, but it is really rather funny when people exhibit a lack of it, like in your post.

Thefirestarter

i'm going to do OL maths for leaving. All i need is a c or higher in maths to be accepted in the Army

sd123

JC 2K3 wrote: »

You're a lesser human being if you do OL, it's a common fact that's often ignored in our PC obsessed society.

What a load of bollocks tbh, that's the biggest load of sh1te I've seen online all day. A lesser human for taking a different colour piece of paper, and being less skilled at the subject than your friend who took higher level? WTF? Lesser skilled perhaps, but a lesser human, you couldn't be serious.

Myself, I took O.L. Irish as I only started to study it at an older age, and hence missed out on alot of the basics at school, I still sat HL for the Junior Cert and got a C.
If my memory serves me correctly, I still got the same points as you in the LC, does doing OL irish make me a "lesser human being"?

JC 2K3

sd123 wrote: »

you couldn't be serious.

Got it in one.

I love this board.

JC 2K3

JC 2K3 wrote: »

Got it in one.

I love this board.

sd123

JC 2K3 wrote: »

Got it in one.

I love this board.

jaysus, i can see that you're really busy in college LOL

Chunky Monkey

nerdysal wrote: »

Well, they're the eejits like some of the people on this board I could mention who say people that do ordinary level are lesser beings. GET A LIFE PEOPLE... intelligence isn't everything... you have to have a personality too!

Ha doing well in exams isn't an indication of intelligence. I got 10 As in my JC, my IQ is probably around 110 (though I'll never know that for sure as the results from an IQ test would be a serious blow to my ego ). My dad failed his leaving and was told by mensa that he's one of the most intelligent people in Britain. Go figure.

My parents brought me up to believe that being a good person is far, far more important than having good grades. They had it very right imo.