‘When I got to fifth year I realised that the Leaving Cert was important’

Trouble always found me at school. I wasn’t academic either, at least not at first. I boarded at King’s Hospital School and I did recognise that living away from parents involved a certain amount of trust and responsibility. However, I pushed boundaries and got in trouble.

We had boys and girls dorms – a line that was crossed from time to time. When I got to fifth year I realised that the Leaving Cert was important so I studied my ass off. To everyone’s surprise, I got a great Leaving.

I did find it stressful, what student doesn’t? It’s drummed into you that this is what it’s all about. The history paper was meant to be my best and I had always got As and Bs; I could study it all day long. But I came out with a D! It was one exam that didn’t go my way. I was so disappointed. My brain just went blank.

When the results came back I had missed my first choice, communications in Dublin City University, by five points. I’ll never forget it, I got 460 and needed 465. I got my history paper rechecked but I didn’t go up. I went on to do arts in UCD but had already decided to try a different route into TV – by annoying the hell out of all the production companies in Dublin until somebody let me in to label tapes and make tea.

I did voluntary work with Coco TV – I held an umbrella over Duncan Stewart. After a year I got a place on Rapid – a children’s sports programme with Jason Sherlock. I deferred second year in UCD and never went back.

The exams are tough but I think the entire experience makes you who you are. It is good to learn how to cope with pressure and to be able to manage such a huge array of subjects. It seems ludicrous to take on that amount of knowledge that is regurgitated and forgotten, but I did find it challenging and had to manage my time.

I think I would have loved DCU but equally I can't look back with any regrets. What I missed out on in college I gained when I was working and travelling with No Frontiers.

I went back to King’s Hospital last month to meet the students. It was very positive and friendly, just the way I remembered it – sixth years getting a bit panicked and second years bouncing around enjoying life.

I loved school and the Leaving was part of the adventure.