TransitionTimes: This week Aoibheann Yakataki of Scoil Mhuire agus Ide in Newcastle West, Co Limerick, writes about her year so far.

I adore transition year. I had always wanted to do it, but I didn't think it would go as well as it has. Although we have done so much this year, it seems as if it started only a few days ago.

Since September we have completed many programmes, such as a leadership course, the Gaisce award, a radio course and a course in law. We are also in the middle of a sign-language course and a business-skills course. Without all the pressure of exams this year, I have had the time to improve on my favourite sports, such as basketball and tae kwon do. I have also had the opportunity to try new things, such as debating, set dancing and helping out in English classes for immigrants.

Our transition-year class went to Cappanalea Outdoor Education Centre in Co Kerry last October, and we all loved it. It helped us develop our teamwork and leadership skills, and we formed friendships with people we didn't really know this time last year.

One thing that stands out in my mind is when three of my fellow classmates and I entered the Fit for Life competition and came second in Ireland. For this we first encouraged all the first years to take part in our eight-week Unihoc league, then tried to encourage them to maintain healthy lifestyles by doing sports regularly. All our hard work paid off when we each won an iPod and €30 in Lifestyle Sports vouchers.

Our transition-year activities don't come cheap, so to raise funds we teamed up with Celia Holman Lee, a model-agency owner in Limerick, and organised a huge fashion show, which was a great success. We all learned something from organising the event, and some of us even got an opportunity to strut our stuff down the catwalk.

Another thing that comes to mind when I think of transition year is Dáil na nÓg. Last month I went to the Limerick Comhairle na nÓg and was elected out of 70 other people to represent Limerick in the Dáil na nÓg, which will be held in Dublin in March.

One thing is for sure: if I wasn't in transition year none of these once-in-a-lifetime opportunities would ever have happened.

If you want to write about your transition-year experience, e-mail a 450-word article to gfaller@irish-times.ie. You can write about the whole year or just one aspect of it. It's up to you. Just make sure to include your full name, your school and a contact number