Repeating the Leaving as an adult, where do I start??

monroebaby

Hi, I want to get into Midwifery in UCD next year. I'm 28 and I've applied as a mature student through the CAO this year. Unfortunately it's a bit of a name in a hat selection process. I've spoken to a lot of people in the know and they all agree that my best option is repeating my Leaving Cert next year and applying through the CAO next year with all the school leavers. Anyway, the point is I've looked at all my options and this is the best for me...now where do I start with the curriculum? I have the minimum requirements for the course so I'm just after points. The subjects I'e picked are: English, History, Geography,Home Economics, German and Art. Any help on where to start would be much appreciated!

shawki

I repeated the LC this year at 25

Have you done all these subjects before? There's projects in a good few of them.. What about Biology which would be more relevant to your course?

wolfpawnat

I redid my LC in my 20's, as did the OH. I did it for Midwifery too, though in Cork. A lot of the PLC and FETAC colleges do it. If you have passed English, Irish, Maths and a foreign language in your last LC, you don't have to do it again. I took up a few subjects from scratch when I repeated. Look into the places near you.

monroebaby

shawki wrote: »

I repeated the LC this year at 25

Have you done all these subjects before? There's projects in a good few of them.. What about Biology which would be more relevant to your course?

I've chosen these subjects because I think I'll do well in them. I'm still thinking about Biology tbh. Would you recommend losing one of the subjects with a project?
I'm doing this within a year instead of two so I appreciate the advice!

monroebaby

wolfpawnat wrote: »

I redid my LC in my 20's, as did the OH. I did it for Midwifery too, though in Cork. A lot of the PLC and FETAC colleges do it. If you have passed English, Irish, Maths and a foreign language in your last LC, you don't have to do it again. I took up a few subjects from scratch when I repeated. Look into the places near you.

Wow, so pretty much in the same position as me! I've already got the minimum requirements, just need the points. What kind of advice did you get when picking subjects? Did you find it tough to fit it all into a year (I'll be working too)? I've looked into a few of the colleges around Dublin and I'll be registering in the couple of days.

11Charlie11

monroebaby wrote: »

I've chosen these subjects because I think I'll do well in them. I'm still thinking about Biology tbh. Would you recommend losing one of the subjects with a project?
I'm doing this within a year instead of two so I appreciate the advice!

I think you would be better off dropping one of the subjects with a project and pick up biology as there is no project and if your interested in nursing/midwifery you should find biology fine but there is a lot of learning!

What subjects did you do the first time round as it would be very difficult to do the LC in one year as it is really a two year course!

wolfpawnat

I did a year long course with only work at weekends, so I was able to dedicate myself to it. They recommended the sciences, so I took up biology and agricultural science, I also went from Ordinary level business to higher level. They suggested ones you had an interest in, as you are more likely to succeed in them, but suggested to keep away from ones with large content like English, where there is a play, poetry, comparative study etc. Often subjects with projects are recommended as it means you have a large percentage done (usually 40%) before even sitting the exam, such as geography and history.

As a result I went for Maths (I love it, yes I know it's nerdy), Biology, History, Geography, Ag Science and Business. Most people based themselves around sciences really. It is a condensed year and I would recommend a science even though it is not mandatory. I did nursing in UCD (missed midwifery by 5 points, c'est la vie) but both sets of students were in together for the most part, for first year as it is all basics before placement, and you have to do a module on sciences, Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Pathology, so at least one science makes that so much easier.

shawki

monroebaby wrote: »

I've chosen these subjects because I think I'll do well in them. I'm still thinking about Biology tbh. Would you recommend losing one of the subjects with a project?
I'm doing this within a year instead of two so I appreciate the advice!

I did it in a year with 3 new subjects

The Home Ec project needs to be done by the 1st of November which is lot of work to do also you need a teacher to supervise your cooking sessions. It is a nice course and the social studies is interesting.

I remember my buddies this year in April working day and night to get their other projects done when they could have spent that time revising...

Biology is a lovely course that can be definitely be done in a year.

Also Economics is good to do in a year. I took it up new this year and I say I'll be getting a B1/A2. It has a lot of choice on the paper. 9 short Q do 6(25%) 8 long Q do 4(75%)

I picked subjects that I could get the most points in. I got a C in English/French last time and I knew no amout of study would get me to an A but with Biology anybody can an A if they put the work in as its just theory

Unfortunately your gonna have to play the points game for 9 months and the subjects that are just learning off are easier to do well in. It's not the right way to educate yourself but that the points system!

spurious

Contact your local VEC. They run most of the PLC/specialist adult repeat courses.

EoghanIRL

I agree with the others , biology would be more relevant to your course and its not too bad.

cat_<3

monroebaby wrote: »

I've chosen these subjects because I think I'll do well in them. I'm still thinking about Biology tbh. Would you recommend losing one of the subjects with a project?
I'm doing this within a year instead of two so I appreciate the advice!

I done biology 4 years ago and I can remember I had to do a field trip project for the LC unless it has changed since then.

11Charlie11

cat_<3 wrote: »

I done biology 4 years ago and I can remember I had to do a field trip project for the LC unless it has changed since then.

The exam is worth 100% .. The field trip is just like an experiment so you prob wouldn't have to do it again

seriouslysweet

Contact your local VEC. They ran a course for mature students when I was in school, was only them in the class. Good luck!