How did your points affect how your life panned out?

zuroph

So, all the talk today about points and courses got me thinking. How different would your life be if your points had been different, either better or worse?

I got my results this time 10 years ago. I got 380. I wanted to do arts in Mary I, and needed 385. I checked my papers, and was 1% short in Geography and English. got both checked, and got no improvement. No joy. Did not want to repeat, I hated school, so ended up in a business course in Limerick IT, dropping out two years later. I went and worked in a Tile showroom for a few years, before getting a customer service rep job and going on the road. 2 years ago I bought my house, and am still lucky enough to have my job, even though I hate it.

That 1% in Geog or English, would have put me in the course I always wanted to do. My sister has gone on to do that same course, and this year is doing a PHD in Psychology, she will be a Dr. within a year. Me, I fix people's broken shower doors. FML

So, how would your life have been different?

UglyFuc

cant be all bad..

a mod on boards!

starlit

Don't think it would have made much of a difference, might have done a different course maybe if my points had been higher. The only factor is trying to get into certain graduate work placement programms where you need to have a certain number of a points achieved in the leaving cert to get into them which is a pain!

Mint Sauce

i dont have any, i obey the rules of the road

KeithM89_old

No difference probably - got what i needed and headin into 3rd year in Sept

starlit

irish-stew wrote: »

i dont have any, i obey the rules of the road

I think you are missing the point not the points!;)

NTMK

Failed accounting 2 years ago so i missed my first 4 choices but went with my 5th and i couldnt be happier i know people in the 4 i didnt get and i would have hated all of them

Royal Irish

I needed 390 and only got 370. Life didnt turn out too bad. I got a great job handing out paper towels and aftershave in a niteclub toilet.

WalterMitty

Got 485 12 years ago. did business type degree. Got sick. Decided didnt want to do business career. Wish i had done psychology or philosophy or something. Now reassesing what i want to do in my life.

The Big Red Button

I didn't really study a whole lot for the LC, but somehow got very lucky and got points in the 500's. I got my first choice, but chopped and changed courses and colleges a few times over the next couple of years. The course I ended up graduating from last summer had a points requirement of around 200. But I got a great degree, and a very good job from it.

Thing is though, if I had gotten 200 points back then, it would never have occurred to me to do the course that I did end up doing - I had zero interest in that particular area back when I was in secondary school. I would always have wished I had gotten the points to do the course of my choice - the one that I hated and dropped out of within three months, despite being so certain that I wanted to do it all through secondary school!

As a matter of interest OP, if you could go back, would you have repeated? Just think that your answer might be of interest to any students who got their results today and are in a similar position to the one you were in!

KyussBishop

Crap points, never went to college, but self employed now working with games and doing well.

Life lesson: Spend your time screwing around with games instead of studying, and you'll be fine :pac:

Mint Sauce

GCSE's and A-levels for me, was about the number of A-Cs you got, although hasn't really affected my life, no employer has asked about my school grades in the last 10 years, it's all been about my experience

snuggles285 wrote: »

I think you are missing the point not the points!;)

*groans*

:eek:

anniehoo

Got 440..needed 550...miles off. No point moaning about that i was nowhere near. In fairness i couldve tried A LOT harder so only myself to blame.In a great job now so happy out. Always wonder "what if" though.

Jesus Wept

I got 40 points which was more than enough for my top choice of 'Mod on boards'.
Happy enough.

FearDark

Went to college as a mature student so points meant diddly squat. Mind you they werent that bad anyway

needhelpguy

I went into the LC in 2003 without knowing what I wanted to do with my life. As such I felt no pressure in the exam, I really didn't care for it. Had been an A student up to Junior Cert but lost interest after that. I came out with 325 points and it had no affect on my life.

After a year out, I did a 2 year PLC and went working after that.

So points didn't affect me at all.

Sugar Free

I had an excess of about 200 points so it made no difference.
I did science but if I could go back I would have done a business degree.

I did my LC in 2004 before any entry tests to medicine. I feel sorry for all the people who got 580 or so but missed out on a medicine place because they only got a B1 in French or some other irrelevant subject, load of balls.

zuroph

chatterpillar wrote: »

As a matter of interest OP, if you could go back, would you have repeated? Just think that your answer might be of interest to any students who got their results today and are in a similar position to the one you were in!

Good question! um, probably. My head was in no place to be doing those exams at that time, or to be deciding what I wanted to do with myself. I think there should be a year between exams and deciding on college. The problem is that I could have gone back to do it as a mature student, or other courses, where I'm sure I could get through the interview process, but either your in college, or you're working. I went into work, and next I needed a car, and next i needed rent to live closer to work, and before I know it, I'm in debt, and cant afford to go back to college. I know I could put much more effort into it now, but financially, there's no way to even contemplate it.
If I had gone straight back and repeated, sure its a ****ty year, but it would be out of the way before the debt starts, and give you more time to consider your options, and really think about what you want to do. If I was to really plan it out, i'd have gone back, repeated, then taken a year out, THEN gone to college.

Sanjuro

The points system had absolutely no bearing on my life, or what I wanted to do in college. The course I took was portfolio-based, so all I needed was 5 ordinary level C3's, or 25 points.

And I couldn't even manage that.

Copper23

Royal Irish wrote: »

I needed 390 and only got 370. Life didnt turn out too bad. I got a great job handing out paper towels and aftershave in a niteclub toilet.

What were the points for that?

starlit

Copper23 wrote: »

What were the points for that?

You sure it wasn't 'Pints!'

I got 460 and did a course that was 420.. If I had got 600, I'd have still done the same course so points were never an issue. I would do a different course though if I could go back.. It's annoying to be 22, be working at the job for 2 years and already know that it's not what I want to do.

starlit

I had a enough points to do the course I wanted so I was happy with that. Once I got the grades I needed I was more concerned about that really. Would probably have chosen the same course unless I got higher points I'd chosen a different one but something similar to what I did go for alright like.

artanevilla

When I opened up my results it added up to 350, it meant I missed out on my first two choices. It's was only then I'd realised they weren't my results, BUT THE GODDAMN LOCKNESS MONSTER!

GrumPy

Had enough points for my first choice on the CAO, but missed out on a C3 for maths.
Could have not put myself through another year of school. Ended up in a PLC for 2 years before I got into my desired course. It affected lots of variables, people Iv'e met, things Iv'e done, but I still ended up where I planned to be, albeit 2 years later!
Can't say the 2 years were wasted, I kinda glad the way things turned out so far afterall is said I done. I was devastated with my result though. The "wtf do I do now" shock feeling is fairly scary.

RedXIV

The only effect my points had was on my folks telling me I didn't work hard enough! that and my sister studied like crazy to beat me. so I helped her! i'm a great brother

mariaf24

zuroph wrote: »

So, all the talk today about points and courses got me thinking. How different would your life be if your points had been different, either better or worse?

I got my results this time 10 years ago. I got 380. I wanted to do arts in Mary I, and needed 385. I checked my papers, and was 1% short in Geography and English. got both checked, and got no improvement. No joy. Did not want to repeat, I hated school, so ended up in a business course in Limerick IT, dropping out two years later. I went and worked in a Tile showroom for a few years, before getting a customer service rep job and going on the road. 2 years ago I bought my house, and am still lucky enough to have my job, even though I hate it.

That 1% in Geog or English, would have put me in the course I always wanted to do. My sister has gone on to do that same course, and this year is doing a PHD in Psychology, she will be a Dr. within a year. Me, I fix people's broken shower doors. FML

So, how would your life have been different?

You do know that you could apply for almost any course as a matue student? My best friend in college was a mature student who worked in something similar as yourself (except she never did her leaving cert).
She is now doing her Masters

There were quite a number of mature students in my class (Arts UCC). Points need NOT determine the rest of your life!

Herb Powell

zuroph wrote: »

So, all the talk today about points and courses got me thinking. How different would your life be if your points had been different, either better or worse?

I got my results this time 10 years ago. I got 380. I wanted to do arts in Mary I, and needed 385. I checked my papers, and was 1% short in Geography and English. got both checked, and got no improvement. No joy. Did not want to repeat, I hated school, so ended up in a business course in Limerick IT, dropping out two years later. I went and worked in a Tile showroom for a few years, before getting a customer service rep job and going on the road. 2 years ago I bought my house, and am still lucky enough to have my job, even though I hate it.

That 1% in Geog or English, would have put me in the course I always wanted to do. My sister has gone on to do that same course, and this year is doing a PHD in Psychology, she will be a Dr. within a year. Me, I fix people's broken shower doors. FML

So, how would your life have been different?

or you could have repeated?

zuroph

mariaf24 wrote: »

You do know that you could apply for almost any course as a matue student? My best friend in college was a mature student who worked in something similar as yourself (except she never did her leaving cert).
She is now doing her Masters

There were quite a number of mature students in my class (Arts UCC). Points need NOT determine the rest of your life!

I do, but they affected it indirectly, as by the time I was old enough to apply as a mature student, I couldnt afford to go back to college.

Wagon

I only really studied properly hard for maths because that was what i needed to get into my choice of course. Got a D which wasn't good enough. Gave up on studying, decided to go with the next best choice on the CAO form and spent the next 4 years drinking and actually doing things i wanted. I'm an IT engineer now! and a web designer! **** you ordinary level maths. **** you and horse you came in on.

mariaf24

zuroph wrote: »

I do, but they affected it indirectly, as by the time I was old enough to apply as a mature student, I couldnt afford to go back to college.

I'm sure there are plenty grants available and things like back to education allowance. Sorry if I sound pushy, it's none of my business!

I just strongly believe that if your heart is set on something you can definitely do it.

squeakyduck

Got 350 in 2006... had a massive row with one of my best mates a few weeks before and I couldn't really concentrate on studying properly, glad I did what I did now! But, I wouldn't have known better if I had got the 600!

I apccepted arts in UCD which was 360 the year before but as the least amount of students sat the LC in 2006 since the history of the LC all the points dropped. I spent a week doing PLC interviews as a back up and each interviewer laughed in my face when I told them the points will drop.

Well I got arts on my first round.... I still don't have a bulls notion what I want to do for the rest of my life but I've completed my MA and I hope to go travelling next year. I've held down several jobs during college. Cashier in a bookies, sales rep and lounge girl.

My life hasn't turned out bad at all. Independent, living in Dublin 4 years.... it's all good!

kfallon

Did my LC in '96, Euro Championships started during them. Did very well in my first 5 subjects but nearly failed accounting and Economics (D3 in both :eek: ) but had enough points to do the Business course I wanted. My only worry was that the two Business subjects I did for my LC were the ones I barely passed. Was shocked at my accounting grade.

I blame the football to be honest.......didn't study a tap for the last 2 exams

Needed 460 got 440. Went with 2nd choice, no idea how many points it was.
Turned out for the best as I would have hated my first choice.
Doing something a bit unrelated again now.

Dionysus

irish-stew wrote: »

no employer has asked about my school grades in the last 10 years, it's all been about my experience

Shhhhh.

Lu Tze

Got 540 - 8 years ago - got me into engineering - which is now a decimated career here! Still not sure what i want to do, i'm emigrating and might do a masters in something when i come back

The Saint

Made a complete balls of my leaving cert. Had no interest in school and used it as a social club. Went straight to work after it and worked in the same place for 10 years. Did some short evening courses regarding the work i was doing and ended up doing pretty well professionally but I didn't have the heart for it. Decided to do a part time degree which had no entry requirements and finshed it after four years, it should have taken six but I worked my ass off.

When I finished the degree I quit my job of 10 years and went to full time university and did a masters for which I got a 1st. I finished in september last year. Since January I've been working for a (the) large international organisation in the Middle East in an area I love.

While it might seem like the end of the world when you first don't get what you want in the leaving, its not. There are other ways and means of achieving what you want and to get where you want to be.

babyfratelli_x

If I had gotten more, it wouldnt have made a difference, got my number 1 choice anyway.

Doin arts in NUIG n love it... people say its a doss or a waste, but not to me... I had no idea what I wanted to do, was half considering law but didnt want to get stuck in a course i didnt like, so picked law as an arts subject and decided that it was def somethin I wanted to pursue

Gonna do the LLb when I finish up.

Had I gotten less, I prob woulda gotten in anyway got about 60 points more than what was needed.

But I have plenty of friends in my course that had arts down as a back up and most of them are glad they ended up where they are.

Its not the end of the world if you dont get the points you hoped for. If you really wanna pursue a certain career theres always another way into it. But most people end up doing somethin completely different to what they thought theyd be doing when they were in secondary school anyway.

smallerthanyou

I got the points for my dream course,which lead to a good job which is after gettin me the experience to get my dream job..so all good really. Had a friend though who missed her course n she was no worse off for it.

DetectivFoxtrot

needhelpguy wrote: »

I went into the LC in 2003 without knowing what I wanted to do with my life. As such I felt no pressure in the exam, I really didn't care for it. Had been an A student up to Junior Cert but lost interest after that.

this is me. did the LC in '97 and didn't care a jot. I was also an A student up to Junior Cert. Got crap points, so got onto a PLC course, hated it but finished out teh year. Then took a job offer in a well know company aged 18 (through nepotism ). It was a measly entry level job but over the 12 years worked by way up through the ranks and now earning a very nice salary. It's not a mind blowing job by any stretch but I like it. Also the company paid for my management diploma I did at night time.

When doing my Diploma in '07 I realised that I am more of a grafter than an academic. Academia bores me to tears. I made sure I did well and got distinctions in all subjects but was dying for it to be over.

When I have nightmares it is usally about the LC. I am preparing to do the Irsh Paper tomorrow and I just come to the realisation that I haven't studied in the entire 2 years! I wake up in a sweat. It bothers me more now in dreams than it ever did back then in reality!

so no points didn't affect me at all!

Fart

I got 225 in 2006 but had prospects of getting 450+ but I didnt study or do much work. In a way I wish I had done but I went working in Dunnes for a year then did a PLC course for two, which I had gotten my Diploma for, now I'm studying in Wales and into my second year of a degree. It's great.

Bobby42

not getting enough points for college gave me the time to figure out exactly what i wanted to do. when i was in 6th year i barely studied because i didn't what i wanted to do and didn't see the point in studying. i had a vague interest in science so put down loads of science courses on my cao. got 340 points and i didn't a single course. i was really disapointed at the time because most of my friends got what they wanted. but this gave me a second chance. i did some plc courses and worked for a few years, got into some volunteering, took some time and eventually figured out what i wanted to do. applied this year as a mature student and got my first choice in social science. had i gotten enough points when i did my leaving cert it would have been a complete disaster and probably would have dropped out or failed a science degree.

phasers

Got my first choice so I was happy. If I'd gotten any less I'd be in Tallaght IT doing a similar course. Not very different so far, gimme ten years.

Davidius

Did the Leaving last year. Got my first choice and the course even turned out to have vacant places by the end of it so it would've taken quite a bit to miss out on it.

My second choice actually had a much higher points requirement so I wouldn't have gotten it and I probably wouldn't have minded my other choices. I'd have to have done a lot worse for much to change.

ordinary_girl

I got 295 points which still pisses me off, I worked incredibly hard and basically failed anyway. I'm still sort of embarrassed about getting such low points (a lot more was expected of me) but no way will I ever resit the Leaving Cert, I just found it so draining. I've been unemployed for the past year (though I doubt my Leaving Cert results really had much bearing on my job applications anyway) and now I'm applying for PLC courses.

I'm annoyed I'll have to spend a year or two longer in the education system, but I'm certain in the long run I'll be happy with whatever qualification I end up with.

2ygb4cmqetsjhx

I got 540. Needed 480. Expected 460. More importantly. How many pints did you drink on your leaving cert night? For me it was 4. I was buckled. Never drank before.

foxyboxer

I got 490. Which makes me an 81.6% expert at memorising and regurgitating nonsense. :cool:

Averi Handsome Satin

Averi Handsome Satin wrote: »

I got 540. Needed 480. Expected 460. More importantly. How many pints did you drink on your leaving cert night? For me it was 4. I was buckled. Never drank before.

None, couldn't go out...
bottle of vodka split 3 ways went down well

Smurfpiss

Got my course with a couple hundred to spare. Got me a scholarship, went to Canada with my uni friends, got into uni for postgrad (probably with the help of stuff like points and scholarship) and met me misssus

worked out well so far!

Executive Steve

Not one iota.

ibarelycare

I needed 480 for my course. The ONLY course I wanted to do. I got 470 but luckily enough the points came down and I got my first choice. Dropped out after 1 semester. Worked for a few months and re-applied again through the CAO for another course. Dropped out of that one after a year.

Now I work in a dead0end job. Am studying part time but hate my course and have no motivation for it. 25 and still don't have a clue what I wanna do! My mam said to me today "I bet you're glad you're not back there again" but I kinda wish I was, I'd do so many things differently!

/sobs into wine glass