When you are doing the Leaving Cert, you feel you are immersed in your own world. But yesterday the World Cup - in all its Irish glory - intruded on our private world.
The whole World Cup was a huge distraction. I did manage to catch some of the first half during the lunchtime break between papers. But at 1.30 p.m. when we trudged back into the exam hall for paper 2 in higher- level English. Ireland were were a goal down and fighting for our World Cup lives. The mood was sombre - and not just because of the paper to come.
About 45 minutes later, I heard a huge, bellicose roar from outside the exam hall. Then, car horns began to sound and you could hear a faint echo of celebrations on the streets: Olé! Olé! Olé!
We knew something was happening. It was clear Ireland had scored. We all found ourselves looking at our watches and checking the clock in the hall. I was not sure whether Ireland had won. But we all felt confident that they had not lost. Then, it was back to the exam.
When we came out of the exam at 4.50 p.m., we were immediately swept along in the mood of national euphoria. Relatives and friends did politely ask us - how did you get on in the exams? - before telling us the real news: You have just missed the greatest moment in Irish history. Robbie Keane. Last minute goal. You would not believe it. Incredible, etc . Thanks guys!
Overall, I thought I did fine in both papers. English is probably my favourite subject. The papers generally were fairly manageable, although the essay questions on paper 1 were very remote from our experience and rather old-fashioned. We were all expecting a question on September 11th and American identity, but there was nothing topical or fresh. Overall, I feel relieved that the exams are at last under way. I feel I have been waiting to do this exam all my life! I am doing pass maths and pass Irish today, so I am much more relaxed about these papers.
Looking back on the higher-level English papers, it was one heck of an ordeal. I was cooped up in the exam hall for a total of six hours and 10 minutes. In all, I filled 29 pages of the exam book - 15 pages for paper 1 and 14 pages for paper 2. I must have written the equivalent of a mini-novel.
Tonight, despite it all, I feel energetic, relieved, satisfied. I am now looking forward to getting on the phone and catching up on the World Cup hysteria. I am going to sit back and really enjoy the highlights programme.
After that, it will be time to trudge back upstairs for another round of study. But at least the exams are under way. And Ireland is still in the World Cup. Olé! Olé! Ole!
• Patrick O'Brien, a student at Stratford College, Rathgar, Dublin, was in conversation with Sean Flynn
