Going into 6th year and concerned.............

karaokeman

Ok, so as the title suggests I am going into 6th year tomorrow and quite nervous.

Problem is I am not fully prepared for various reasons, and I was wondering if anyone else is feeling like me in the sense they have a shipload of work to be done.

I have most of my subjects sorted (with study etc.) except for Art and History at the moment. I just started understanding the History of Art section before the summer holidays and I have not yet done any drafts for my History project. In History I know what my project will be based on, I have the sources but I still need to choose an angle.

I have not been able to look up college open dates yet as I have been a little lazy over the summer. I want to get that sorted by the end of the week, although I have (an idea) what I want to do in college and where to do it.

Hopefully by the end of the week I will have the important stuff sorted out because while I'm in school I can keep myself grounded since I have to do work every day.

JamesJB

Calm down, first of all. The school year hasn't even begun yet.

Everyone has a lot of work to do in 6th year. Having just finished, I will also say that 6th year is actually the best year of school. Believe it or not, you will likely miss it when it's all over, even if you can't wait to finish.

Art History is straightforward and you can pretty much get by with only the sections you personally like. There is no project, only a practical, which you really can't prepare for until you get your titles

I'll be honest: I didn't go to any open days or anything like it apart from our careers fair. I just found out all the information I needed via the internet. Do go to them, just don't be worrying about them.

For someone who is unprepared, you have your History project planned, some understanding of subjects and an awareness of what needs to be done. You're definitely more prepared than the average student. Also, you know what you want to do and where you might like to do it. You know, I still don't know that. I changed my CAO many times after the exams and ended up just 'leaving it' and seeing how I get on.

Unless you want to do something very specific (i.e. some career which follows on from a definite degree) you really can't plan for that sort of thing. You might end up working in something different to your degree, or changing career plans 3 years from now whilst in the middle of doing a degree. It's very easy to be overwhelmed or worried now, but if my experiences with the LC are valid to you, I didn't worry about half of the things you are worried about now and I got on just fine :cool:

Ditzie

just out of interest what are you doing your history project on?

JamesJB

One more thing. If you want a good study tool (I only used it a little, but I would have used it more if I had found it sooner) google Anki. It'll make your life easier if it suits the way you learn.

OopsyDaisy

karaokeman wrote: »

Ok, so as the title suggests I am going into 6th year tomorrow and quite nervous.

Problem is I am not fully prepared for various reasons, and I was wondering if anyone else is feeling like me in the sense they have a shipload of work to be done.

I have most of my subjects sorted (with study etc.) except for Art and History at the moment. I just started understanding the History of Art section before the summer holidays and I have not yet done any drafts for my History project. In History I know what my project will be based on, I have the sources but I still need to choose an angle.

I have not been able to look up college open dates yet as I have been a little lazy over the summer. I want to get that sorted by the end of the week, although I have (an idea) what I want to do in college and where to do it.

Hopefully by the end of the week I will have the important stuff sorted out because while I'm in school I can keep myself grounded since I have to do work every day.

Are you me? :P

I haven't done anything for my history topic though, I have it picked, but I have to actually get my sources (I know where they are :P) and work on it.

Everyone freaking out today is making me freak out, as I have the LC and a portfolio to do this year.

If you have most of your subjects sorted for study and stuff, you'll be fine like. I haven't done anything, I'm not going to lie.

Just don't panic like, it's only the Leaving

And it should be a fun year

RolandIRL

relax about your history project, well, not too much though :P
you've plenty of time. it's submitted some time in april, and though i had some drafts done over the summer after 5th year, i completely changed my angle on it so my first draft was totally different to my final (i went from a general biog on Rommel to a insight into a specific battle in north africa for anyone who's interested)

you've plenty of time, and it's kinda good that you've taken the summer off. you won't have a lot of time to completely relax (or at least i didn't when i done the LC) :D

karaokeman

Ditzie wrote: »

just out of interest what are you doing your history project on?

My project is on Anna Parnell and her role in the Land War, also leading the Ladie's Land League.

I have my sources, I just have no idea of an angle as of yet.

To be honest, no one else in my History class has any of this sorted but I still prefer to be prepared.

Thanks for all the replies so far everyone.

AkiraKajira

I was thinking on doing Micheal Collins and all about what happened between 1916 onwards...I was also thinking about doing Hitler..

Though, I have sources..I'm not sure... Any suggestions?

as for the LC, I started on thursday, and I'm already freaking out. the words "Leaving Cert 405" are circling my head like a mantra...:o

RolandIRL

AkiraKajira wrote: »

I was thinking on doing Micheal Collins and all about what happened between 1916 onwards...I was also thinking about doing Hitler..

Though, I have sources..I'm not sure... Any suggestions?

as for the LC, I started on thursday, and I'm already freaking out. the words "Leaving Cert 405" are circling my head like a mantra...:o

just my opinion, but i wouldn't go with collins or hitler as special topics. can't remember the syllabus but they may be key personalities. they will also be popular choices so it'll be harder to come up with a unique topic on them.
the more obscure the topic, the better. if you can, try and find something you could write about in your locality. examiner will find it harder to point out wrong pieces of information (like dates etc)

Cpt_Blackbeard

I've been waiting for people like this to appear :rolleyes:.

The only people who do a tap during the summer are those aiming for 9 A1s. Just by worrying about things, you are probably more organised than anyone else in your year (give or take). I can't give you any advice about your history, but I know that alot of people in my school were only starting it a couple of weeks beforehand (some even a couple of days ). The open days will most likely be advertised in your school and if not, you will hear via word of mouth (everyone is always looking for a reason to miss school).

You need to calm down and not let the LC ruin your year at such an early stage. You'll end up stressing out before the mocks...:P

NufcNavan

AkiraKajira wrote: »

I was thinking on doing Micheal Collins and all about what happened between 1916 onwards...I was also thinking about doing Hitler..

Though, I have sources..I'm not sure... Any suggestions?

as for the LC, I started on thursday, and I'm already freaking out. the words "Leaving Cert 405" are circling my head like a mantra...:o

DONT do anyone like Collins or Hitler. It'll bore the arse off the examiner. Pick something specific.


By the way, sickened for anyone who has to go back to school.

randylonghorn

karaokeman wrote: »

I have not been able to look up college open dates yet as I have been a little lazy over the summer. I want to get that sorted by the end of the week, although I have (an idea) what I want to do in college and where to do it.

There's a thread / link for college open days at the top of the forum.

Junior D

When I was gettin ideas for my history project, I made sure I talked to as many different history teachers as I could, 5 of them, and the general thoughts seem to be to do something from your locality or at least about obsquere Irish histroy topics which would be interesting.

As for me I chose to write about known Irishmen who fought with the Germans during WWII and the reasons they did so. I kept re-writting it over and over and showed it to every teacher until it was perfect.

In the end I got an A2 which I think was all down to the project.

By the way, make sure that you don't spend all your time on the actual essay. If you want I could PM you the essay.

LutherBlissett

Collins and Hitler are both key personalities, I wouldn't advise doing a project on them specifically. If either are of significant interest to you, I would reccommend possibly researching a "spin off" topic, which was influenced by Collins or Hitler, but doesn't overlap with the information related to them on the syllabus.

For the OP, you say you're looking at Anna Parnell's role in the Land War, but can't find an "angle". The thing to bear in mind is that (after the reflection at the end), the extended essay is only c. 1350 words long (give or take). It's not a doctoral thesis. A simple but possibly effective approach for your project would be to explain briefly who Anna Parnell is, then look at her role in the Land War - explain why she played one and what she actually did, and examine the impact of her contribution.

aine92

I did no work with the exception of homework and studying for the tests I had in school and I put in really hard work from late April to the exams and I got 520...

Relax, you have so much time to do well. Im repeating but I'd STRONGLY advise for you to put in the work from day one. Come home, do your homework and revise what you did in school that day and you'll be in a much better position than most come June.

dan_d

Calm

It's only an exam. Only. There actually are far bigger days in your life.

Keep going steadily at homework and a bit of studying and you will do just fine. What you aim to have is that by the time you get around to the actual exam, you have so many practice questions done that you simply feel like it's another bunch of practice questions.

The hysteria is not necessary, and will do you more harm than good.

IHeartChemistry

At the end of the day the Leaving is overrated tbh. Yes it's big and horrible and scary but its also a mad laugh. Just focus on June and you'll be graaaaaaand. and word of advice, pre's are useless I feel, I did better in the mocks than the actual LC cos well I kept on predictions. Stay away from predictions, I would have done so much better if I hadnt listened to them. And even if you dont get your course, theres back options into them which is what I'm doing for Med. Science degree them Med in 4 years time. The LC aint the end of the world and dont panic. Just do your best, thats all you really can do ok? Now just sit back, chill and enjoy 6th year Study but dont stress It all works out in the end Good luck!

Noodleworm

Notice how after the leaving certs over everyone seems much calmer here.

Its not hard looking back. Keep up with your homework, look over what you cover in class lots of times. If you don't understand something get help (or google).
Keep notes and find a revision method that works for you, whether that's reading aloud to someone, drawing diagrams etc...

AkiraKajira

For the OP: Just work homework wise and maybe half an hour study, Thats what I'm doing. And it seems to be paying off, I'm remembering alot more. But the leaving isn't about intelligence, its about how you can remember stuff.

As for Collins I have plenty of books on him, including his life and how the effected his views during those HUGE moments in Irish History. But I'll definitely talk to my History teacher about what she thinks about it. Other than that, I think I'm going to gather as much info as I can and see what I can make of it, draft it and then start writing.
But I'm going to scramble as much info as possiblé but, again, wait til History tomorrow and see whats happening.

sending my luftwaffles to plenty of fellow LC people

karaokeman

Thanks for all the replies guys/gals.

I need to learn that its not the end of the world if my mam is worried about me. I am always concerned she worries for me in case I might stress over any part of 6th year.

At the end of the day I know myself and I have to believe I will not stress but I will still study and everything will work out in the end.

EverybodyLies

NufcNavan wrote: »

By the way, sickened for anyone who has to go back to school.

Shuddup.

Ah sure we'll be grand OP. We'll be the best bunch of LCers Ireland has ever seen. We've still got nine months. A bitta consistent, good study and we'll all be set.

PARARORY

A bitta consistent good study

= Key to Success.

Anyone I know who did nothing and suddenly crammed from April did terrible.

The best advice I would give to any 6th year is - Stay on top of all your homework throughout the year (it'll all be exam papers anyway!) , go out socialise once or twice a weekend , don't burn yourself out by Christmas because then your really fvcked ( thats what I did and I put my head down about 4 weeks before the Leaving started and I got 525 )

ESPECIALLY English Essays - when it comes to the weekend before a big exam/mocks and you realise you forgot to do that poetry essay/comparative it will KILL you and take forever to do ... But if you forgot to study a chapter in biology/maths or a subject like that it'll be so much easier to catch up on!

JamesJB

Consistency is really the single most important thing. Do whatever works for you. 'A little a lot' is what they say, but what I tend to do when I study is draw it out a fair bit. I might allocate a half an hour, say, to french, and spend 15 minutes of that just reading up grammar and/or vocabulary on the internet. Or I might spend ages just getting a concept straight in my mind, while pacing around my room and talking aloud. So it's still 'a little', only it took me longer the way I did it. (Note that this didn't impede me in the long run, if you think it would. I couldn't have done better in the end, if that counts as proof of that!)

Do whatever works for you, and do it consistently. Follow that advice and I can't imagine any student going wrong.

karaokeman

I should have a rough draft of my History project up for the end of the week.
This is more than a basic essay on Anna Parnell, it deals with a few more details of her role in the Land War.
I've started looking over my old Geography notes on the first two chapters, also doing some new ones on stuff I missed.
Maths is going fine, as is English.
Biology, I will need to go back and look at my old notes and start new ones.
History tomorrow, hopefully that will go well. We are starting the Dictatorship And Democracy course.