I remember I was getting expelled or something

MY LEAVING CERT:I WENT to a lot of different schools growing up, writes BAZ ASHMAWY

I remember I was getting expelled or something from one and the headmaster was talking to my mum. “He’s bad,” he said – or something to that effect.

“No, he’s just stupid enough to keep getting caught,” my mum replied. She was right. It wasn’t that I ever did anything terrible. I was a messer and I did a lot of stupid things. School didn’t suit me at all.

By the time the Leaving Cert came around, I was going to Morehampton College, a private college. Study was never my thing but I began to take it a bit more seriously in the run-up to exams.

I was a bit late in wising up initially. It didn’t help much the first time around, but I repeated the year and that made such a difference. I think being a year older helped and having all the study techniques down early enough meant I was set the second time around.

Some of my friends knew exactly what they wanted to do and worked towards that. Some of them got very stressed about points and things. I think a lot of pressure came from families as well. Im pretty laid back and I didn’t feel the pressure like that, but I did find a bit of motivation.

As it turned out I really wanted to do drama and theatre studies in Trinity. I did well in the auditions and then realised that I needed certain grades to get in. That was when I discovered a new lust for learning. I had always had a problem with being told what to do in school. The motivation of getting into this course was the carrot I needed.

I always loved anything to do with English, languages, classics, art, drama – those sorts of subjects. I hated science, and as for maths? I think I’m mathematically dyslexic or something. It’s like Arabic to me. I just don’t get it.

The exams seemed like such a big deal at the time. I remember sitting in the hall, the sun was beating down outside. I reckon there’s a bit too much pressure surrounding the whole thing. At the time it seems like the be all and end all but I’ve mates who did really well in exams and went to college, others did trades and own their own businesses, there are so many options. Different things suit different people and exams are important but they’re not everything.

I studied all sorts of things – fine art, drama, business studies – I was a recruitment consultant for seven years in London, now I’m doing the presenting and all that. It’s funny how life unfolds.

I was happy with how I did in the exams. I probably could have tried a bit harder but I got my course eventually.

The best thing about the whole exam experience is that when you leave and go to college or whatever, you get to reinvent yourself. School is a horrible experience for some people and college is a chance to leave that all behind.

As for advice? Don’t panic, get plenty of rest and try your best. What else can you do at this stage? If it doesn’t go well this week it’s not the end of the world, but I think that if you’ve worked hard, it’s bound to pay off.

Baz's Extreme Worldsis broadcast on Monday nights on RTÉ 2