Sharing the recipes for Leaving Cert success
THE past pupils of St Louis Secondary School had one last piece of homework to hand in before they head off to their respective college courses – they were invited to share their recipes for success in the Leaving Cert.
Former Louis pupil Mary O’ Hare, who is heading to UCD to study International Politics saw her advice go viral after it was shared on the school’s Facebook page.
‘Someone once said ‘ hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard’ and I couldn’t agree more!’ The reason I achieved what I did was because of hard work. But she advised this year’s Leaving Cert students to pace themselves.
‘ Take your time, but work hard and remember, it isn’t a sprint it’s a marathon.’
Rachael Larney is heading to Trinity to study Science - this is her advice for sixth years: ‘I tried to finish all of my homework by Friday night to give myself the weekend to study. I did whatever homework that I received as soon as possible rather than just before the deadline. I had a quiet study to do my homework and study in. This allowed me to switch off.’
Aisling Mc Enteggart, who is heading to UCD to study Medicine was keen to address the first years as she believes success starts on the very first day of secondary school. ‘Start on the first day of first year. I had an older brother and sister so they used to come home and do the homework straight away so that’s what I did too.
She added: ‘Have a to do list and you’ll enjoy the feeling of ticking off items on that list.’
‘And get involved in everything you can. When you are involved in extra curricular activities you learn time management and that really helps for the exams.’
Leanne Sullivan who starts primary teaching studies in Drumcondra next week said her advice was short and simple: ‘Work hard from the beginning and it will pay off at the end.’
‘I tried to eat well and get plenty of sleep and I kept up all of my extra-curricular activities.
Meanwhile Rachel Byrne who takes up her place in Music and Irish in UCD this week said: ‘Obviously stress is somewhat unavoidable, but I tried to make it motivate me to get work done’