Getting Leaving Cert results
A chara, – I would like to know what “crude measuring instrument” Ann Marie Hourihane employed (Opinion, August 13th) in researching her thesis that “the people who do best in life, and who have the best time, do not tend to have done terribly well in their Leaving Certificate”. I am sure that the students anxiously awaiting their results this week would be interested in reviewing her findings, which appear to dismiss their efforts as misguided and probably futile.
If it is the case that the evidence for her theory is purely anecdotal, then I suggest that the hard-working students should not allow her comments to devalue their achievements, academic and otherwise, when they find out their results today. It takes a vast amount of hard work and dedication to achieve good results in the Leaving Certificate. Quite apart from the academic challenges which students face, they are required to develop qualities such as focus, determination, attention to detail, time-management and work/life balance. It is necessary for them to master difficult concepts and apply themselves over an extended period of time towards achieving a particular goal. These are attributes that are generally considered essential in an employee, and, indeed, in a self-reliant adult.
I do not dispute the proposition that there are things about the Leaving Certificate that could be improved, and I note in particular the recent criticisms of the maths syllabus. However, I would take issue with the inference that we can all be like Katie Taylor. It is Ms Taylor’s very singularity which makes her notable, and her magnificent achievements are down to her own exceptional talents and hard work.
The majority of us are likely to be reliant on more conventional career and life paths.
Finally, I have been amused in recent days at the manner in which Katie Taylor’s magnificent Olympic success has been appropriated by a number of elements in support of their own agenda. Their contortions would have been worthy of the North Greenwich Arena. – Is mise,
A chara, – I thought of all the students who will receive their Leaving Certificate results this week, when John Joe Nevin said he felt like “a failure” immediately after winning his silver medal.
John Joe had done his best but not reached the goal he had wanted! This will be the experience of thousands of young people today when they receive their results.
There will be those who have given their all but won’t reach the points they need for their desired third-level course.
They must be supported and encouraged.
For some there may not be success in the results at all, but the success was that they completed their Leaving Certificate, no matter how many points they got.
