Transition Times: Emily Hannam of Rathdown School, in Co Dublin, describes an eventful year
You asked about my TY. Well, the Department of Education and Science portrays it as a bridge between Junior Cert, where we poor mites depend entirely on teachers to spoon out knowledge like soup, and Leaving Cert, where the big girls teach themselves.
Teachers say it is designed to give us the opportunity to mature and develop - that is, to grow up. They assure us that TY is not a doss year, that we still have to work.
Let's face it, though: for those of us doing it, transition year is about having a good time. It's the extracurricular activities - doing workshops, going on trips and learning essential life skills, such as belly dancing, yoga and fashion design - that we enjoy the most.
TY is about getting involved. You have to put in a huge amount of effort to get the most from it. I signed up for pretty much everything on offer: the President's Award, drama, debating, public speaking. I may not have a spare moment, but I don't regret it.
I have spent a big part of my TY preparing for an expedition to the Far East. Nine of us are going to spend a month of the summer in Cambodia and Thailand, firstly helping orphans in Phnom Penh and then trekking through the jungle.
For this to happen we need to come up with a frightening amount of money, so fundraising is a must. So far we have run a craft fair, published a cookery book and spent many happy hours packing shopping for the customers of south Dublin's supermarkets. Getting fit is also vital - and a great incentive to do sport. Having the expedition to work towards has given a real focus to the year.
Other highlights? Community service and work experience get us out of the classroom. My service to the community was, I am almost embarrassed to admit, a week with the Garda mounted unit in Phoenix Park - a wonderful opportunity that some of my horsey friends would have paid good money for. It was definitely one of the highlights of my year: I walked the President's dogs every morning, and I'm sure the nation is properly grateful.
My work experience is coming up, and as a would-be architect I have again been incredibly lucky. I will be spending one week with Norman Foster's design practice and another in a well-known Dublin gallery. My sister spent her weeks with RTÉ and in the Four Courts. If you plan ahead, the placements are something you will look forward to and enjoy. They also help you choose a career, not to mention Leaving Cert subjects.
Transition year is as good as you make it. If you sit back and do nothing you'll just waste your time and be disappointed. So throw yourself in and get involved. You won't regret it.
If you'd like to contribute to My TY, e-mail a 400-word article about transition year to gfaller@irish-times.ie
