Leaving Cert run-in: a survival guide

Co Mayo student Darren Gleeson summarises his tips for the time before the Leaving Cert.

Vary your study. Only do one language in a day, for example, and then vary it with maybe biology in the afternoon.

If you have been working throughout the year, don't kill yourself in the time before the exam. I found an hour or two of study a day more than enough by that stage.

This is the time for practising. Exam papers are essential. Do exam questions in the allotted time and see how you can improve.

It's actually a great time to practise the aural if you're doing languages. One of my teachers arranged some listening classes for us, which I found a great help.

Make time for relaxation. I'm mad into soccer and Gaelic, so I spent a lot of time kicking a ball around with friends. I wouldn't really lounge around the house, though.

Talk about something other than exams with your friends. My friends were very relaxed. Maybe it's a west of Ireland thing!

Try going to bed a half an hour earlier. It does help. I certainly wouldn't be staying up studying till two in the morning.

The worst thing is worrying. It's a waste of time and no matter how much you worry it won't help.

Remember that the Leaving Cert is massively over-hyped. That first half-hour in the English exam is daunting, but after that you really become focused about it.

Basically, you know yourself what needs to be done at this stage. Do your best not to leave that exam hall with any regrets. It's awful thinking that you could have done something differently, but then again, it's not the end of the world if you do.