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Child Item

What were you like when you were at school?

Conor84

Got a school reunion coming up after Christmas. 15 years since I left school. They are organising it after 2 of our year died during the year. I am going but am a bit nervous about going back again.

It got me thinking about what I was like at school. Up to Junior Cert i was very quiet and shy. My brother was ahead of me and did really well in class and at sport and I was never as good as him so that sort of held me back and I was always compared (badly) to him. I was never top of the class or anything but did OK in exams.

After I went back after Junior Cert my brother had left and I had done summer work and was more confident. I got involved in sports more and played hurling for the school. I still didn't do brilliant academically but I did alright and got into college.

I didn't get into too much trouble at school - mainly just for getting caught smoking which I started around Junior Cert. I remember having to pay a €2 fine and having to do litter duty. I only really had one fight and my parents were called up over that and it didn't happen again.

What were other people like at school - did you get into much trouble?

Have you ever been at a school reunion - had people changed much since being at school?

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r93kaey5p2izun

Awkward mostly. Dismissed as a nerd by cool people, dismissed as a skanger by the nerds. Struggled with snobbery from the nuns. I liked my lay teachers and overall it was grand.

Surreptitious

My primary school teacher wanted me to be published at 11 but I don't think my mother understood her. Was very quiet until secondary school until I just broke out and become rebellious. I had a huge group of friends and we were all inseparable. I did no study whatsoever but ended up getting into university anyway. Spent seven years studying in colleges, which surprised me as I didn't really like school. That's a lot of time to be in schools overall.

Iseedeadpixels

A complete and utter moron! **** you teenage pixels!!!!

Lets just say I'm a better person now :pac:

bodhrandude

I reckon I was a young boy.

faceman

I was shy, nervous, bullied, introverted and lacking in self esteem.

Now I travel the world performing live improv comedy. Picked up none of these skills till later in life. Resent what I went through in school.

DanMurphy

Just today I found an old school picture of my Class (aged about 10, taken in 1960)
The picture appeared in a Museum Gallery through which I was browsing, and headed 'An unknown group of boys taken in 1940.'

It was a shock to see my 10 year old self beaming out at me, ears sticking out like the Sam Maguire Cup from being dragged about by those appendages by thugs who called themselves 'teachers.'

Those were the days when students didn't have to learn anything, voluntarily.
It was beaten into us instead.

[Deleted User]

Bullied for my English accent for several years at primary school in Ireland, secondary in England was good though, got on well with everyone students and teachers alike, did very well academically though my confidence in one or two subjects had been so thoroughly undermined in primary that could take no satisfaction from doing well.

Terrible at most sports except swimming which I excelled at, but I was very enthusiastic always.

osarusan

Donald Poor Riffraff wrote: »

but no way on god's green earth I'd go to a reunion. Half the bastards haven't moved outside a five mile radius since anyways so I don't know what the point would be.

Had a funny moment myself about 12 years ago.

I was back home on holiday from Japan, and went to a bar I used to go to.

I walked in and there were the boys themselves, like they'd never moved since I last saw them, including one lad (we'll call him Joe) that you might have expected to leave and not come back. But there he was, talking the same auld shyte as ever.

I remember commenting to the friend I was there with that it was a bit sad to see them all still there, especially Joe.

Got talking to Joe an hour or two later and it turned out that it was his first time in the bar for about 5 years, as he'd spent most of his time in various parts of Africa. He said that when he saw me walk in his first thought was 'Jaysus, there's osarusan, sad to see him still around the place, he's somebody you'd have imagined would move on.'

Rubberlegs

I went into third class from London. My accent was teased by some girls, but then I had been called a Paddy by kids in London as my Dad was Irish. I swear it's why I have never felt a true sense of belonging anywhere. I was clever in school, but couldn't stand it being pointed out by teachers or other pupils. I still do hate being made to stand out in any way, can't handle attention at all. I enjoyed secondary school, I got along with everyone. I was quiet, kept the head down and got on with the work getting good results. But I was also one of the girls who smoked down by the nuns graveyard at break times so was never labelled a nerd. We had a ten yr reunion back in 2000, it was lovely to catch up with everyone after so long. I can honestly say there was no one I had ever disliked. In the 16 yrs since then bar from bumping into a couple now and then, I haven't had contact with anyone. 26 yrs ago now since I did the Leaving, it was another lifetime altogether!

Conor84

DanMurphy wrote: »

Just today I found an old school picture of my Class (aged about 10, taken in 1960)
The picture appeared in a Museum Gallery through which I was browsing, and headed 'An unknown group of boys taken in 1940.'

It was a shock to see my 10 year old self beaming out at me, ears sticking out like the Sam Maguire Cup from being dragged about by those appendages by thugs who called themselves 'teachers.'

Those were the days when students didn't have to learn anything, voluntarily.
It was beaten into us instead.

Often thought that school was at times bad enough for us without having to deal with teachers who could beat you. Must have been bad. When was all that banned? We had one old teacher who if you did anything would say if I had my way I'd bring back the cane .... Bad to think about it.

DanMurphy

Yep, no exaggerating, those were tough days indeed. Wasn't just a cane, but back-handed slaps, fists on occasion, lifted from your seat by an ear, or hair.
It didn't stop at progression to Secondary school either, just the 'weapons' were different.
The T-Square was used as a 'scimitar' during Maths Class, or the wood-end of a chisel during woodwork.
Looking back on it, some of my teachers were ****in' psycopaths!

[Deleted User]

DanMurphy wrote: »

Yep, no exaggerating, those were tough days indeed. Wasn't just a cane, but back-handed slaps, fists on occasion, lifted from your seat by an ear, or hair.
It didn't stop at progression to Secondary school either, just the 'weapons' were different.
The T-Square was used as a 'scimitar' during Maths Class, or the wood-end of a chisel during woodwork.
Looking back on it, some of my teachers were ****in' psycopaths!

Christ, that's upsetting to read. I can't imagine how traumatic that must have been for you.

I'm really sorry you had to live through that. I hope it didn't scar you too deep.

marienbad

Worst time of my life.

Widdershins

DanMurphy wrote: »

Yep, no exaggerating, those were tough days indeed. Wasn't just a cane, but back-handed slaps, fists on occasion, lifted from your seat by an ear, or hair.
It didn't stop at progression to Secondary school either, just the 'weapons' were different.
The T-Square was used as a 'scimitar' during Maths Class, or the wood-end of a chisel during woodwork.
Looking back on it, some of my teachers were ****in' psycopaths!

My grandfather pinned one such teacher to the wall with a chair, for picking on someone in his class. His parents were not the deferential type, but I'm sure there were lads who would've been punished at home for doing the same,regardless of reason.

It was like a sadist's dream job back then, from what I've heard.

Mr. FoggPatches

Funnily enough, I found one of my school reports, from when I was 10, the other day.
100% in all exams.
Attendance: excellent
Comment: Cheeky at times. Can be lazy.

DanMurphy

Ahh, I seldom think about it now, but seeing that old photo today brought it all back.
That carry-on reflected the violent society which existed back then.

Water John

Your being charitable to some Dan. Clearly some, incl my first teacher shouldn't have been left near children. Left scars on others rather than me.
She died recently and even though she lived most of her life in the area, the vast majority would not go to the funeral. This is in a rural area.

Beasty

Hardly ever got into trouble. Initially very shy and quiet and not particularly happy. Never got involved in any fights, but used to step in and break them up on occasions - perhaps the fact I was just shy of 6' 2" at the age of 12 meant I had a certain "authority"! Was very good at maths which made my school life a lot easier, as I would finish my maths lesson after 15 mins or so and do all my homework in the remaining 45. In fact I can hardly remember doing any homework at home.

Having said that, I left school 37 years ago - things were very different in those days.

mansize

annoying c*nt

JupiterKid

J Mysterio wrote: »

There's so many people who were withdrawn and listless in school (zero craic) who then went to college and 'found themselves' etc. It's almost cliche.

Well, I enjoyed Secondary School and was very disinterested in University, couldnt wait to graduate and get on with my life.

It's a cliche because there's a certain degree of truth in it - most cliches are. School is so limiting, you are lumped in with people you loathe.

In university/college, you are a young adult, find your feet and can pick and choose those people you like and ignore the tossers.

Kermit.de.frog

I was like Donald Trump. Rude, racist, obnoxious, attention seeker and a bully. But then I was a kid and I grew up.

[Deleted User]

Hairier.

Popular. Good at exams, good at sports...extremely unsuccessful with the ladies until 16/17 though, the only cloud on an otherwise fantastic childhood.

s15r330

Loved school, was popular, intelligent, did well at everything...up until JC, then I got lazy, did an awful LC, got into some crappy course I hated, dropped out, worked a crappy job for a while, said f@ck this.

Went back to college, got a 1.1 degree with minimal effort, got the 1st job I interviewed for which is in 1 of the top firms in my field, so turned out ok.

Would have no interest in a reunion though, life moves on, the group of us that were best friends and did everything together just drifted away after. Thats 16 years ago now.

One person tried to organise a 10 year reunion, they created an FB page but wouldn't say who they were no matter how many times we asked.
Very weird so we just said f#ck off and it didn't happen.

_Jamie_

mcgrath1992 wrote: »

so few laters after i finished college i went back and barged into his class with my leaving cert and college degree in tow and and put them right up to his face and said "remember when you said i wouldnt amount to anything mr know it all? i just proved you wrong" and i walked out with hands in my pockets smiling leaving behind a shocked look on his face

This didn't happen.

cantdecide

I was a misfit. I was always a big, heavy, quiet, awkward kid with big thick specs and thick curly hair. I went to an all boys primary school and was teased and bullied quite badly over my appearance. Consequently I hated school and didn't do the work which caused me problems later on. I went on to secondary and things were better - the school wasn't as rough as primary but I was made go to another boys school which was a big mistake for me, IMO.

I started playing with bands and made friends- it was a good time for the most part but my 'cool' rocker mates were early bloomers to drinking etc etc and I wasn't- I was still the awkward bloke under it all (and I may always be too).

uch

I was an absolute Bollix in school, I was in a 'Special' Class for what some people call problem children, we weren't a problem, we were just cnuts, I spent an average of 3 months a year on the hop, hated the place, did me Inter and did alright considering but was glad to be out of it at 16, at 30 I worked in a university and took part in a learning disability survey and found out I was dyslexic, so it explained a lot of my troubles at school, but I'm a stubborn fecker and because I couldn't do any languages when I was in school, I decided I wanted to learn Irish, love it to this day, took me 7 years to do a 3 year diploma, but I'm proud of myself for sticking it out and finishing it

TheBiz

I've only left school and I've changed quite a bit, still trying to shake off the old habits.

I went to a very small school, but very few people knew I sang till Leaving Cert! A lot didn't even know I played guitar, the entire way up I was quiet, always have been.
Before my Junior Cert I was in with the wrong crowd, detention etc and I would act sick just so I wouldn't have to go out and see people. I just wanted to stay home and play guitar.
After JC I was a better student but according to my teachers, I was 'never one to kill myself working'..
I was glad that the older lads left, I was much happier in senior years, but still quiet.. made some friends but overall it was a forgettable experience, glad I got my results.

dar100

Didn't really go when I was suppose to. Ended up getting expelled when I was 10! Done nothing until I was 13, when I went back as a secondary student in first year. Actually made my conformation in first year, then left.

Went to college at 27, done diploma, then degree, and just writing my thesis for masters, so all in all not too bad

Shergar6

s15r330 wrote: »

Loved school, was popular, intelligent, did well at everything...up until JC, then I got lazy, did an awful LC, got into some crappy course I hated, dropped out, worked a crappy job for a while, said f@ck this.

Went back to college, got a 1.1 degree with minimal effort, got the 1st job I interviewed for which is in 1 of the top firms in my field, so turned out ok.

Would have no interest in a reunion though, life moves on, the group of us that were best friends and did everything together just drifted away after. Thats 16 years ago now.

One person tried to organise a 10 year reunion, they created an FB page but wouldn't say who they were no matter how many times we asked.
Very weird so we just said f#ck off and it didn't happen.

Sounds like one of those murder/slasher films where the kid who was bullied invites everyone to a party and slowly starts offing them ...

Shergar6

Was quiet, polite and did enough work to make sure i got away with a lot of **** because of it. I more or less took whatever days i wanted off, and half days, signed in late when i wanted to miss double maths/business studies. Don't think my parents signed a thing the whole of secondary school because i just forged everything. Just used to sign a lame excuse and hand it to the vice principal and he'd say nothing. He had to have known i was taking the piss but he never said anything.

Dossed off P.E with the same forged notes for a long time until the teacher got wise and made me go and borrow a tracksuit from a friend in another class.

Me and my friend (another quiet one) didn't attend a Religion class for a whole year, we just went to a free class that was never supervised. The religion teacher used to come in at least once every fortnight looking for whoever the two missing people out of his class were. For some reason he didn't have our names. Some laugh!

I was an average enough student. Got good marks in some subjects, was terrible in others. Didn't really put much effort in and can't say i was encouraged to by teachers either. I feel like if i was given some encouragement i would have done more higher level subjects. I suppose that's the problem when you're an average to good student. You don't excel at anything and you don't cause any trouble either so you're kind of skipped over by the teacher.

Certainly wasn't cool, confident or popular but i always had friends and got on with pretty much everyone. As for reunions - i don't like them. I went to the ten year one and it was grand but a lot of the people who wouldn't look twice at you in school act are all 'oh hiiiiiiii' - can't be arsed with the fakeness. My feeling is that if you want to keep in touch with people you will do it. My two best friends are from secondary school and we've stuck it out. Other people i was very close to just drifted apart pretty soon after we finished. It happens!