Leaving cert - mental anguish

Fortinbras'

I just can not cope today, i am angry all over, I just feel full of Hate and anger I totally messed up i went in there for my A and leave absolutely FUC/KED!

I messed up loads of b parts too, so if they mark it easier it will actualley be a detriment to my results


I just feel like giving up
I am ashamed/angry/tired/wrecked and distraught

I know u cant help I just have to say these words , even if no-one is tehre to listen!

Uthur

Hey it's probably not nearly as bad as you imagine. Lots of people think
they have messed up but it turns out when they get their results they
actually did ok!

If worst comes to worst you can always do 7th year. It's not the end
of the world - I know some guys who did it and really liked it.

qz

Just forget about it, you've done the exam, right now, it doesn't matter if you did well or terribly. Focus on your coming exams and don't get bogged down with something that's probably all in your head anyway.

Sleepy

Once you finish an exam, forget about it. Hell, forget the material you learnt for the exam if you feel like it because it's over. Worrying about it will do nothing except distract you from the next one and that's all you should be focusing on right now. Get a decent night's sleep before each exam and spend as much of your waking hours as is humanly possible cramming for the next ones. This will be a tough couple of weeks, but it's the price you pay for a few great years in college. Pretty cheap if you ask me

leggo

The Leaving Cert doesn't mean **** anymore. PLC courses are invented for people who have talent in the fields they want to work in but didn't bother with the LC/underachieved in the exams (of course they don't market them that way, but read between the lines).

There's ALWAYS another way man, the Leaving Cert is useful if you do well, but not the be all, end all if you don't. Teachers just tell you that so you do your homework.

LegacyUser

Been there! I left out an entire section of the Chemistry exam, despite being set for an A, I got a B2 in the end which isn't half bad. I remember coming home in bits after and having to pull myself together for the next exams, just had to get on with it. It actually meant that I missed out on the course that I had my heart set on at the time, could have repeated but went with my no.2 instead, loved it and had a really great experience. Perhaps I would never have been as happy as I am today if I had done that chemistry section. Don't stress, it will all work itself out either way, and you can always repeat if you feel that is the right thing. You've nothing to worry about

BizzyC

I entered higher level Irish without having read any of the books, poetry, plays etc.

I did great on paper 1 and the oral+aural. For paper 2 though I handed up a half page of waffle, and left after half an hour.

Still got a C2!

Relax, the leaving is a lot easier than you think.

JackKelly

if your worried about the maths paper-forget it. Everyone ive talked to, including friends who were going for 600 came out devasted. it was a complete joke of a paper, that should never have appeared. Completely unfair. I felt exactly the same as you, not wanting to bothering going on with them. Look at it the other way, this set back can make you more determined to do well in the rest. The Dep. of Ed know about the problems of the paper, as EVERYONE is going mad. Most people have worked really hard all year, went in looking for an A and came out almost crying.

arrietty

Yeah, the maths paper was awful. I was talking to a teacher I know and she said it was ridiculous. Everyone's in the same boat as you.
Leaving Cert is a horrible time - everything is just so focused and intense. Hang on for the ride, do as well as you can, and remember that no matter what, it will be over soon. And it's not the be-all and end-all. Trust me!

JMArr

Dont worry man ...just go buy a shotgun ..then just go up to your teacher after the next exam and give him both barrells close range in the nuts.... that'll teach him for not preparing you :-)
Yo Teach ! Eat this ! BOOM ..and you'll go down in school history as a total legend !!Leaving cert is a joke so much pressure so young. hang in there dude.

Einstein

leggo wrote:

The Leaving Cert doesn't mean **** anymore. PLC courses are invented for people who have talent in the fields they want to work in but didn't bother with the LC/underachieved in the exams...

If somebody chooses to do a PLC course or somebody chooses to do Medicine, you can be damn sure that the person seeking the medical qualification sees the leaving Cert points as a lot more than, as you put it...****...

I do agree that the leaving is a little overhyped, and its not the end of the world and there are other means of going where you want and doing what you need to, But for someone who genuinely needs the points and needs the exams to go their way, don't tell them it means nothing anymore. Cos to them it does.
So try to engage your brain before typing.

*Sassy*

Don't worry too much about it. It's more than likely not as bad as you think. I remember being quite surprised at some of my marks in the leaving!!

There are always other ways to get into college and once you do, the leaving doesn't matter a damn any more. I've always put my results on my CV and I don't recall anyone ever mentioning them in an interview, nevermind asking for proof!!

A bit off topic, but I'm pretty sure there are thousands of people out there who lie about their results, I even know of one or two people who lied about their degrees!!! Knowing my luck I would get caught out....

leggo

I do agree that the leaving is a little overhyped, and its not the end of the world and there are other means of going where you want and doing what you need to, But for someone who genuinely needs the points and needs the exams to go their way, don't tell them it means nothing anymore. Cos to them it does.

So after I engaged my brain a little bit, I came to the realisation that you're agreeing with me, but doing so in a completely unhelpful way. Thumbs up man.

nesf

Off topic but....

The LC is overhyped but it means a hell of a lot more than just ****. I hated the leaving, I hated doing it, I hate the Irish Education system in general actually, but I still am very glad I did it. Why? Because without the points I got I could never have gone into the courses I wanted and could never change from them.

Even now when I'm thinking of changing degree path, the fact that I did my leaving and got x number of points means that I can sucessfully apply for and get into every course I want to do with ease.

I hated it, but damnit am I glad I went through that month of hell (I had more than just the LC to deal with that summer). It's given me far more options now than if I'd dropped out before doing my LC which I could have done. It's worth doing simply because it's such a necessity these days. Plus with a free education system it's a waste not to at least consider third level. And doing your LC is kinda handy for entry into third level. It's not the only way, but it's by far the simplist and easiest route to take imo.


To the OP. You'll be fine. Forget about it, it's done now, no amount of worrying on your part will change anything. Get focussed on the next exam.

leggo

While what you say is true:

1) Is there any point in dwelling in what you've done wrong in a particular test (or tests) until the results come out August 17th and you actually KNOW that this mistake makes a difference on the grand scale of things?

2) While the Leaving Cert is useful to have, IF one messes up and decides not to repeat, it's NOT the be all and end all and doesn't block off ANY career path, simply throws a few obstacles down said path.

In that respect, it's nothing more than a useful piece of paper. But if anyone deludes themself into thinking something like it's more likely to get you into an industry as simple as having a well-placed relative working in that industry, they'd be wrong. As my Career guidance teacher (who's widely regarded as the best in Ireland) pointed out to me before: It's a handy way to get an attempt at getting a degree, which is a handy way of getting an interview for a good job. Nothing more, nothing less.

Einstein

leggo wrote:

So after I engaged my brain a little bit, I came to the realisation that you're agreeing with me, but doing so in a completely unhelpful way. Thumbs up man.

I agree with the part that its not the be all and end all. But I totally disagree that it doesnt mean **** anymore.
It doesn't take a genius to know that if they want to go into a course requiring high points, it means a lot to those individuals.
And dont respond saying "oh well it can be repeated" we all know that, but in hinesty- would you like to repeat 6th year again when you could just get it right the first time?

Fortinbras'

If you dream of being a doctor all your life and do badly in the Lc. as in still very well but not good enough, you have a right to be pissed and i dont know how you can say it doesnt matter a fu/ck

newgrange

Right now, it seems like it is a major thing. If, in the worst possible scenario, you have to repeat to get your points, all it really means is you will be a year older getting your medical qualification, a lot more mature, and maybe even a better doctor for it.

Put your energies into something you can change, which is how you do in your other exams - the ones that are gone are gone, and worrying about them or beating yourself up about them is futile. All it will do is distract you from your next ones.

Of course your disappointment in feeling you did not do as well as you wanted to matters, but it is not worth damaging your chances in forthcoming papers.

Naos

Fortinbras. As said before, relax.
There is nothing you can do about it now.
I told my sis over phone not to write any answers down and check them when she gets home(she was going too) as it was would mess with her head.
Best concentrating on each one at a time, when its done its done. Enjoy your hard earned summer and freedom..

nesf

leggo wrote:

2) While the Leaving Cert is useful to have, IF one messes up and decides not to repeat, it's NOT the be all and end all and doesn't block off ANY career path, simply throws a few obstacles down said path.

That's patently untrue. There are a lot of careers where you need at least a primary degree nevermind just a leaving.

It's more than a minor obsticle to get a degree and postgrad done without having a LC. It's close to impossible unless you have a very wealthy family behind you to fund the long long road that it would take.

You are really not in touch with reality if you don't think the LC is needed for certain jobs. Christ, it was a min requirement to work in half the semi-skilled work i've done....

Victor

Leggo, try to be helpful. A lot of people put a lot of effort into their exams and it is an achievement.

newgrange wrote:

Put your energies into something you can change, which is how you do in your other exams

Exactly.

Work of the "ashamed/angry/tired/wrecked and distraught" (its called stress) with a half hour of vigourous exercise.

Realise that if everyone finds a particular question hard that the marking will take this into account.

leggo

I'm not trying to diminish anyone's achievements, I'm simply saying that Fortinbras should not beat himself up after a Leaving Cert exam, since it's not the be all and end all. Christ it's not that difficult...

nesf

leggo wrote:

I'm not trying to diminish anyone's achievements, I'm simply saying that Fortinbras should not beat himself up after a Leaving Cert exam, since it's not the be all and end all. Christ it's not that difficult...

I agree with you that the LC isn't the be all and end all. I found it to be just one big anticlimax tbh.

But it's still a very important part of many people's lives. It's the first brick in the wall for a person wanting to work in academia. It's the first rung of a tall ladder for a person wanting to be a doctor.

It does mean an awful lot as a first step for many people. Yes once you're past college no one cares what points you got, but you still need to build the foundations before putting up the walls.

The LC is not in itself amazingly important. But it is an integral part of something that could become a lynch pin of a person's life.


Apologies for all the horrendeous metaphors btw.

claire h

leggo wrote:

I'm not trying to diminish anyone's achievements, I'm simply saying that Fortinbras should not beat himself up after a Leaving Cert exam, since it's not the be all and end all. Christ it's not that difficult...

To dismiss the exam as 'not that difficult' is tactless at best and obnoxious at worst... perhaps you're particularly bright, perhaps you weren't aiming for high points, perhaps you weren't stressed out about it. But a lot of people are stressed out, a lot of people do find it hard - to be tested in several different areas of study, some of which may not be your strength but which you have to take anyway, over a few weeks, with time constraints and no choice to repeat single exams if points are the issue... that is demanding, for most people.

To the original poster: I hope you had better luck with Paper 2. Unless you're going for that scholarship thingy at RCSI, you won't need the full 600 points, and one subject that didn't go as well as you hoped doesn't mean that you won't get what you want. Good luck!

StupidLikeAFox

Fortinbras' wrote:

If you dream of being a doctor all your life and do badly in the Lc. as in still very well but not good enough, you have a right to be pissed and i dont know how you can say it doesnt matter a fu/ck

Yeah ya ****ed up, big deal. Thing is your only 17/18, theres loadsa time left to be a doctor if you really want it.

That said dont kick yourself until you get your results, because you dont know anything. All that speculation about changing marking schemes is just that, speculation.

nesf

ColHol wrote:

Yeah ya ****ed up, big deal. Thing is your only 17/18, theres loadsa time left to be a doctor if you really want it.

Exactly.

I'm considering not finishing my old degree and starting a new one as a mature student. I'll be 27 before I graduate... :eek:

Plus there is no shame to repeating the leaving.

dermo88

If you want my honest opinion, I doubt you will ever face an exam as emotionally intense and terrifying as the Leaving Cert ever again. You get through this exam, your sorted. It won't have to be faced again. University and College exams will be important, but because you have continuous assessment, you'll have some credit built up in advance of the exams in college.

Its easy for Adults to look back and tell you its easy now. Thats the benefit of time talking, and times a great healer. At the time its an ordeal. You don't have a career yet, no college course, its all uncertain, and nothing is clearly defined. So its not easy. But after this, believe me, it gets easier, a lot easier, to the point where you look back and say what the hell was all the fuss about.

I am still suffering the after effects. I was taught to inhale by a teacher after the first exam. She was stressed out looking at the paper. So was everyone else. I am still addicted!

Paddy20

Very many years ago. When I went through the school/college fiasco, that it was back then (1950's).

I used to take all exam day's off, just too avoid the whole damn thing. As I totally disagreed with anyone sitting in judgment of my intelligence, based on how I did in a written exam. I alway's believed that you should be assessed on how you get along in general over a whole year !. So, I did what I did, and even got expelled a number of time's for refusing to sit the exam's.

However, after I left school at 15 years old, I never looked back and achieved everything that I wanted in life and more, no regret's.

Now, I am retired and content with my lot, and often think about the vicious ignorant brutally violent bastard Teacher's we had back then. Apparently, thing's have really changed for the better now, but I am aware of the pressure young people are still forced to go through, and I still think the system is wrong and unjust.

Just, my 2cs worth . Be lucky.

P.

leggo

To dismiss the exam as 'not that difficult' is tactless at best and obnoxious at worst

Agreed...now find for me somewhere I actually said that so I can see what you're talking about.

nesf

He probably misread this:

leggo wrote:

I'm simply saying that Fortinbras should not beat himself up after a Leaving Cert exam, since it's not the be all and end all. Christ it's not that difficult...

cuckoo

Remember, the LC is a means to an end, but is not the end...

In the hyped up atmosphere of school it does feel a bit like this is the most important thing you'll ever do in your life, some teachers push up the pressure because for them it is the biggest exam their students will sit.

But, there are options. People don't need to start a law or medicine degree at 18 to go into those professions - for example medicine courses take in few people each year who have good degrees in other areas on the basis of an interview. For other career paths there's diploma and cert courses. There's always the chance to repeat the Leaving.

One thing to bear in mind, these will probably be the fairest marked exams you ever sit in your life, and each year there's usually at least one subject that has a savage exam that teachers and students are in uproar about - but at the end of the day there's usually the same mark spread as there were other years.