Should i do the leaving cert at 25?

Niamhk93

I need some advice .. i dont have a leaving cert , i had to leave school inorder to make money to help out with family issues. I did a fetac 4 course instead which i think is basically the equivalent? I am now applying to collages as a mature student and having a leaving cert to be eligible to apply is no longer a factor.. but i still feel like a failure having not done it. Would it matter atall that i dont have it if i were to get a collage degree instead ? Or should i take a year out to do it before i go down the collage route.. i have over 7 years experience in customer service working normal retail jobs . Im currantly studing to get a diploma in counselling and psychotherapy also . Will not having a leaving cert hold me back in the future or if i was to get a collage degree would it even matter that i never did it ?

Chancer3001

Won't matter to anyone but you.

People hand their degrees on their wall. Not their leaving cert results.

So as long as you don't need it for college why waste the time

spurious

Leaving Cert. is Level 4/5, depending on what levels subjects were taken at.

What would you hope to study in college?
If you decide that first, then it will become clearer whether it would be worthwhile you doing the Leaving first. It might not be relevant or necessary, or it might be a door into a wider selection of courses.

Some people like to have sat and completed the Leaving just for themselves, to know that they could and can do it. It might also be a route into getting back into the swing of the level of work needed for college.

If you are in Dublin, talk to the people in Pearse College in Crumlin. They specialise in Back to Ed. for adults such as yourself, or if you are not in Dublin, talk to your local ETB Adult Education person.

Niamhk93

Thank you !

Niamhk93

spurious wrote: »

Leaving Cert. is Level 4/5, depending on what levels subjects were taken at.

What would you hope to study in college?
If you decide that first, then it will become clearer whether it would be worthwhile you doing the Leaving first. It might not be relevant or necessary, or it might be a door into a wider selection of courses.

Some people like to have sat and completed the Leaving just for themselves, to know that they could and can do it. It might also be a route into getting back into the swing of the level of work needed for


Im not to sure yet im hoping to either go future with my councelling and phycotherpy studies since im currantly doing a course to get a diploma or else go down the IT route, i was thinking software devolpment aswell . But like you said its more of a case that i just wish i had it .. but im stuck between wasting a year or two doing it when i could be using that time studing in collage. Do you no if future employers would look for it ? Do they look down on people who dont have it ? Thank you i will check out that website

spurious

Once you have your degree, not many people bother asking about the Leaving, but if it's something might niggle you all your life, then I would say take a year or two and do it. I know it seems like ages, but it will fly by. It will also open up a wider selection of courses to you.

Anyway, I strongly recommend you talk to someone in Pearse College or similar. They will know all your options.

stargazing123

I think you should go back and do the lc. It will give you a lot more chances of getting a well paying job that you actually like in the future. You are still young so it's not too late .x

Niamhk93

stargazing123 wrote: »

I think you should go back and do the lc. It will give you a lot more chances of getting a well paying job that you actually like in the future. You are still young so it's not too late .x

Ive been thinking the same .. im living in cork and i can do it next year through a collage we have here ..the course duration is a year and i have nothing to lose

Niamhk93

spurious wrote: »

Once you have your degree, not many people bother asking about the Leaving, but if it's something might niggle you all your life, then I would say take a year or two and do it. I know it seems like ages, but it will fly by. It will also open up a wider selection of courses to you.

Anyway, I strongly recommend you talk to someone in Pearse College or similar. They will know all your options.

I have decided i probaly will sit it ..since im living in cork i can do it here and it only takes a year .. just so id have it plus itl be good pratice for going to collage

spurious

Niamhk93 wrote: »

I have decided i probaly will sit it ..since im living in cork i can do it here and it only takes a year .. just so id have it plus itl be good pratice for going to collage

Good for you. The best of luck with it.

Taytay99

No... if you can get into a college course, what's the point of the leaving cert? It would be a waste of a year.

Mutant z

You're never too old to do your leaving cert you should go for it if your heart is set on it.

beauf

Only place I've been asked for it is jobs in the public sector or in third level colleges.

spurious

For many people who have been out of education for a while, doing the Leaving (or the Junior in some cases) and succeeding in it gives a self esteem boost that allows them to tackle other courses. It's not always about people needing the Leaving for jobs or courses.

Niamhk93

sugarman wrote: »

Complete waste of time and money, at your age it simply doesn't matter anymore. It'd be more worth while doing a PLC or even job specific certs/awards, like the ECDL for one example.

Thank you ! Im still thinking about it il see how it goes . I already have an ecdl 😊