How to Survive the Leaving Cert 2.0

Hello Exam Season! With the Leaving Cert mock exams just around the corner, and the dreaded Leaving Cert looming, I have been inundated with questions on how to study, how often to study, and, well, pretty much anthing and everything in between. Having sat my Leaving Cert last Summer, I guess you could call me a Leaving Cert expert. I know exactly how it feels to be under so much LC pressure, so I'm here to share some of my top Leaving Cert Survival strategies with you guys. If you're looking for some more pro tips, don't forget to check out my first How to Survive the Leaving Cert post right HERE

1. Don't be afraid to ask questions

Well obviously. You're a Leaving Cert student - no one expects you to have a mega master plan on what you're going to do with the rest of your life. Don't forget that right now you're probably still a teenager, and you don't have to figure everything out on your own. Ask questions, ask for help, ask for advice.

2. Be selfish

The next few months should be all about you and reaching your goals. Don't waste time trying to please anyone else. Let go of the stereotypical motto you can repeat the Leaving Cert but you can't repeat the sesh, and don't let anything get in the way of you reaching your full potential. 

3. Don't fret the small stuff

At the end of the day, your main focus is sitting the Leaving Cert. It's not passing the mocks or making sure your biology homework is handed in on time. Try not to worry so much about all the little bumps along the way. While all your exams and homework are great motivational tools leading up to the Leaving Cert, they're not always an accurate prediction of where you're at and how much you've learnt

4. Find an Escape

Everyone needs a break every now and again. During my Leaving Cert, vegging out on the couch after school for a half an hour of Say Yes to the Dress was a must. While that really helped me chill a little bit, I also found it so important to take a break from everything and everyone for a while. Try going for a walk or a run to clear your head to avoid a mega LC breakdown

5. Get Organised

Now is the perfect time to get organised. Sort out what notes you need and don't need, file all your sheets and work out a study plan. There's only a few more months to go, so it's time to give yourself one last push. Swap going out for eight hours sleep every night and ditch that bar of chocolate for a bowl of fruit. Make sure you give this everything you've got, and have no regrets

Keep calm, you've got this,