Darragh's Soapbox: Memories of the Leaving Cert
Harry O'Neill and Ryan O'Keeffe of Luca Records & Decks. Photo: Joe Evans
This week, thousands of students will commence their Leaving Certificate examination, many of which are facing the unusual situation of taking a state exam for the first time.
However, do potentially disappointing results dictate their future paths, or are there multiple routes to achieve their goals?
Waterford people offered some words of advice for local students this week, whilst reflecting on their own experience sitting the dreaded exams.
said, “I can very vaguely remember my leaving cert. If you don’t do well, you can always give it another bash or go to college in a different route.
“I remember they were telling us in school at the time, the only option you have is the leaving cert and the only time you have is now. To be told that at 17 years old is a huge amount of pressure. Your mind isn’t even fully evolved or developed at that age. There's other ways to get where you want to be and you’d hate to see people under pressure, thinking this is the only shot they have.”
Waterford local , who was part of the Waterford squad who won the county's first League of Ireland title, during the 1965/66 season, added: “There's too much pressure on kids, and it doesn’t make them. I went working when I was very young, and I think you need to know a certain amount, but you also need to know people and have life experiences."
of Luca Records & Decks said: “I did well in my leaving cert, but I fell through the gap of not having enough money to go to college, and also not being able to qualify for any grants. So I just never went, and it’s probably the best thing that ever happened to me."
added, “It is important to have an education and to do the leaving cert, but it's not the end of the world, even though at the time it does feel like that. You might think you’re screwed for life if you don't do well, but you’re not."
