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Séamus Hogan from our Youth Advisory Panel, writes about his Leaving Cert journey over the past two weeks.

So here I am. Two days after my results, three days before my debs and first round offers. Relieved- but still unsure. To be honest, most papers didn’t go as well as I wanted them to go. I was so busy that the summer whizzed by me before I could see the dreaded day coming. Then a week before the results, the countdown was on. That week was cut to a day where I was surprisingly in a calm mood, which isn’t like me. I absorbed everything around me, like a new bright, sponge.

Subconsciously, I was in a mindful mood. After returning from a weekend of youth training, I visited Arbour Hill’s grounds to enjoy the soothing sun and some down time. My knowledge of Irish history from the Leaving Cert rushed back to my mind. I stared at Patrick Pearse’s grave and remembered his idea of education, that you only study the areas in which you excel in, whether that is in maths and science, languages, history or art. The exams would have been much easier for me if that was the case! I strolled into the UN memorial garden in Arbour Hill where nature punched me in the face. I got a great insight into life from the Irish UN veterans who keep the gardens. Their stories ranged from time in the Congo to how sometimes you have to take the scenic route to get your course or what you want in life- backed up with stories of their children’s professional careers. 

I was in complete contrast to all my friends that night-I slept soundly and almost forgot that my results were the next day! The next morning, before finding out my fate, everything was as I wanted-at my tempo and stress free. I arrived to school in my usual fashion-Late. Most people had already got their results which was brilliant.