THE COUNTDOWN to the Leaving Certificate is well under way, but the senior students at St Killian's Community School in Bray, Co Wicklow, appear confident and happy.

Karen Deithrich, the school's head girl, smiles. "No, I haven't lost my appetite at all. I eat everything," she says, laughing.

Another sixth-year student, Ciaran Purcell from Greystones, is being sensible and going to bed early each night after taking his dog for a walk and getting some fresh air. Richard Doyle, the school's head boy, is equally grown-up in his approach. "It's important to have some sort of a hobby to take your mind off it. It gives you a release," he says, adding that he is involved in orienteering and the FCA.

It's a wet morning in Bray. The sixth years have a peaky look about them, but they still have a few minutes to laugh and chat about life and the greater cosmos as the Leaving Cert looms closer. There is no sign of desperation or fear in any face. Yes, says Richard, there is pressure because "of all the decisions you have to make and what career you want and you have to work," but, he adds, "I'm looking forward to the summer and getting over the hurdle".

Ciaran Purcell says the mock exams "frightened everybody. That woke us all up. We are just working away now." Karen nods. "We are all studying," she says. "You have to get down to it."

The school principal, Kevin Meehan, believes that most students are greeting the Leaving Cert "with more maturity than previously". There is anxiety and there will always be anxiety but, he says, "I've a feeling that since university places will probably soon begin to meet the demand - and even those who cannot get in here can get into reasonably good institutions across the water - that reassures them, and they can all do some PLC course to give them time to make up their minds, that helps them too."

Sixth-year student Karen Masterson, says, "I never eat breakfast the morning of any exam but once I get into the hall and settle down, I'll be relaxed."

Days are intense and tiring at this stage of the year. "We all focus on the subject that is the hardest, and our good subjects do suffer," says Karen Diethrich.

Richard Doyle says "there's so much work in English, all the quotes, it's learning, learning ... I find English is one of the hardest subjects, the course is just huge."

Michelle Scanlon has two older brothers. "They help me, sometimes," she says.

Junior Cert students don't have to contend with the same degree of pressure. "You can still see a lot childishness, they have a lot of growing up to do," says Caroline Lundy, year tutor of the Junior Cert classes at St Kilian's Community School. "It depends on the student's personality. Those who take it seriously are quite stressed.

"You start worrying cos you didn't do enough study," explains Sharon Wheeler, who is preparing to sit her Junior Certificate in a couple of weeks.

The others nod and look sympathetically at each other. It's a frying time for everyone, whatever exam year they happen to be in.

"Your parents don't put pressure on you," says Caroline Darcy, another Junior Cert student. "Most of the time you don't think about it... But when the teachers start telling you to study, that there are only four more weeks, then you start freaking if you think about it."

Lyndsey Kelly, Graham Curran and Wayne Browne are also squaring up for the big Junior Cert event. They are worried but, no, they're not terrified, and they still find time to watch Eastenders and Home And Away.

"Some papers are much too long," says Wayne. "In my class I never get the English exam finished. You don't have time to write it."

"I'm kind of worried about maths and English," Caroline interjects. "I can't wait until it's over."

Lyndsey, who works at the weekend in a pub, says it's hard to find time to study. "I only work in the mornings but it's harder because you can't get the time."

The sixth-year class students plan to sing their anthem, I Believe I Can Fly, today, their last day in school before the exams. "We'll all be crying," says Karen Masterson. "I'll miss the school, the teachers are so dedicated," says Ciaran. Karen Diethrich explains why their class song will make them sad: "The words of it mean something, we're going out to the big, bad world."