Whats TY like??

niamh_31

Im doing my junior cert this June, I want to know what TY is like so i can decide if i want to do it or not.

pvakelly

I think that ultimately, whether or not you end up enjoying Transition Year, is down to both the person that you are, and the TY program that's offered in your school.
Personally, I hate TY, but I think it's more that I'm not suited to the program, as opposed to the program being 'wrong', or 'bad'. I'd have always considered myself quite mature, but a recent close family bereavement, has forced me to mature far beyond the majority of my classmates. I'm also rather unusual in that I actually enjoy studying and taking exams So I think my personality, coupled with the fact that the program in my school is aimed at developing our maturity and social aspects instead of academics, is why I don't like it. Plus the fact that I'm in a class with the worst messers I've ever had to deal with, and that discipline seems to have gone out the window isn't helping
Other people are loving it though and I can see that it's really helping them come out of their shells.
So I'd try talking with the current TYs, or maybe some 5th years who have done it, (and the coordinators, if you know they'll be), just to get an idea of what style the program takes, and to see if you are mutually compatible!!
And count yourself lucky you get to have a choice I didn't!!

itsduffy

you should probly talk to some fifth years in your school and ask them what they think. im doing it now and although i dont get a lot of homework i have lots of projects!!

DublinArnie

If you asked me this question when I just started TY, you would get a very different answer.

TY is a very... interesting year, and may not suit all people. Keep in mind that every school has different TY programmes, my mate is doing projects that my school are not and homework/exam levels really vary. For me, choosing TY has been a good decision. Yes, maybe it will be hard to get back into heavy work loads for the LC, but my personal skills have developed. I also have more impressive and unique stuff to put on my CV, plus the work experience gives you a clear perspective on the life of a worker.

We are doing many projects and competitions. I am part of a European science competition, CanSat 2014 and so on. Also have done debating in Maynooth.

Talk to the people who did TY last year because every school does it differently so we really can't help you.

pvakelly

I agree with Arnie about work experience. It's a great opportunity to help to pinpoint your interests and decide what you want to study in college, etc.