Relief for Ruben to receive his results

RUBEN Sweeney, who went to Temple Carrig in Greystones, is relieved to have received his results.

‘I didn’t get exactly what I wanted and don’t think I’ll get my first choice, but overall I’m happy,’ said Ruben last Monday morning after going online to get his results.

‘I was disappointed in one or two.

‘I thought I should have done better in a couple of subjects,’ he said.

‘Why not appeal if it’s there.’

He was also quite pleased with some, and did higher in one subject in particular.

‘I though I was going to do poorly and ended up doing well.’

Rube’s first choice on the CAO form was geography and political science in Trinity, and his second is geography and English in UCD, which he thinks he might get.

Offers will be made on Friday, and in the unlikely event he doesn’t get his first choice, at least he’ll have a shorter daily commute.

The stress leading up to receiving the results was difficult for Ruben.

‘My stress and anxiety were through the roof.

‘In the past week even my mum noticed and thought I looked really down.

‘I was really nervous. If I’d had exams I would have been better able to gauge what the results might be. But I didn’t know what to expect.’

It’s a big relief to have it over with. ‘It’s a huge weight off my chest - it’s officially over now and I don’t have to think about it ever again.’

He said that guidance counsellor Ms Lynch had been a huge support to everyone, and is making herself available to advise students in the coming weeks.

One rite of passage this year’s school leavers must forego is the traditional big get-together on results night.

Ruben was planning on meeting a small group of friends locally, and with social distancing.