Preparing for a Leaving Cert unlike any other

This year of upheaval and uncertainty is set to include a Leaving Cert unlike any other. 

The Government announced this week that the 61,000 students preparing for the exams will now begin sitting them on Wednesday, July 29. 

The Westmeath Independent was recently in touch with three Leaving Cert students from Our Lady's Bower in Athlone to get their thoughts on the situation.

Thank you to Katlyn Murray (18) from Cornamaddy, Carla Cooney (18) from Glasson, and Kate Duffy (18) from Ballykeeran, for taking the time to answer these questions for us.

* What do you miss most about the normal school routine?

Katlyn: I know this is crazy, but I miss the early mornings, and routine in general. I am such a sociable person and I feel I am at my best in school surrounded by my friends and, of course, my teachers!

Carla: I miss talking to my friends every day at lunch, and I miss talking to all the girls in my year, really, but most of all I miss talking to my teachers and having class discussions on any topic. I really miss my history classes - we have debates on almost every topic and we always relate historical events to things happening today.

Kate: Everything - but in particular the social aspect. If you ask anybody at Our Lady’s Bower they will tell you that the atmosphere in the school is unparalleled. The conversations at the lockers and the lunchtime chats cannot be replicated with any Zoom call.

* How have you been coping in recent weeks? Has it been difficult to focus on Leaving Cert preparation with everything that's been going on?

Carla: Isolating at home with my parents, sister and dog has been fine, and I am fortunate that my biggest challenge has been missing the social contact with my friends. I do find it hard to motivate myself to work sometimes. 

We are really lucky with our teachers, though. All of our teachers have been in contact every school day and even over the Easter holidays. They know how tough it is for us at the moment and they’re really making sure none of us are struggling.

Kate: There are many resources online for sixth year students, and our teachers are working tirelessly to support us with all of our problems, but home-schooling is not the same. The lack of a timetable and the uncertainty on upcoming deadlines is proving difficult for me. It is hard to stay motivated when all of the days seem to run into each other. I've found that varying the subjects I study each day has helped me keep from burning out.

Katlyn: I'm not going to lie and say it's easy, because it's not! I feel like the only thing that keeps me in some sort of a routine is the way the teachers keep in contact on a daily basis. The past week I have been on a break and just trying to organise all my notes for the road ahead. I plan to take another week off sometime in June, because I think there is no way we could keep studying and not take time for ourselves!

Katlyn, Kate and Carla pictured with singer Brendan Shine during the Bower's Arts Week.  

* The exam dates have been pushed back and the oral exams were cancelled. Are there any other changes to this year's Leaving Cert that you think should be introduced?

Katlyn: The dates being pushed back was the best option, even though I might have given out about it when it was announced! Any other student who sat their Leaving previously would have been delighted with two more months to study! I would love some clarity in regards to projects, though, as I still have my History and Agricultural Science projects to be handed in.

Carla: I think a solution will have to be found for projects such as art projects and construction projects, but I can't imagine what it might be. Those correcting the exams will certainly have to take into consideration that we all missed two months of school, and many of us had to teach ourselves coursework, but that's probably the plan anyway.

Kate: The only thing that we want is clarity and to feel as if our opinions are somewhat valued in this situation. As long as the mental and physical health of students is kept in consideration when decisions are being made, I can support the outcome. But more frequent updates for Leaving Cert students would help to reduce anxiety surrounding it.

* What works best for you in terms of decompressing or getting away from the pressures of Leaving Cert year?  

Carla: I think reading is the best way to destress - better than watching films even - because when you're reading a book you're concentrating entirely on the story, there's no space for stressful thoughts to enter your mind. It's a real escape from all the talk about the virus and the statistics and the craziness in the world right now.

Kate: I think it's very important to keep up your hobbies during sixth year. There is no possible way to study 24 hours in a day. Taking regular breaks and evenings off have helped me to avoid burnout. I like to bake, go for a walk, watch a movie or go on a call with friends. I think it is vital to keep in contact with your friends during this time, as we need to be there for each other.

Katlyn: Surprisingly, I have started baking again! When I was younger I used to always bake with my Nanny. When I started secondary school I couldn't find as much time to keep up the hobby. I usually bake in the evenings to relax and take some time for myself. I go for a walk each day, listening to music.
Of course I also keep in contact with my friends each evening via social media or Zoom calls. Lately, it's been the little things that make you happy and make you appreciate life that bit more!