Plummeting numbers have been a feature of Repeat Leaving Cert applications since 1997, when the six-year cycle for second-level students was introduced. This year over 1,000 fewer students applied to repeat compared with last year, making a total of 3,899 who hoped to sit the exam. Several factors have contributed to this situation, such as more school-leavers opting to go straight into employment. Others are choosing PLC courses, as a route to gaining a college place, or for learning valuable skills in their own right.
The amount and variety of courses available are increasing so there is a better chance of obtaining the points for a course that will suit you. Certain subjects such as medicine, dentistry and pharmacy are going to require the same high level of points as always and a high proportion of those repeating are aiming for these fields of study.
So what of those who are still opting for the one-year repeat Leaving Cert? What are their reasons, and how useful have they found the year? Some of this year's repeat class at Ringsend Technical Institute share their experiences. Niall Byrne left school during fifth year to do an electrician's apprenticeship. "I just wanted to start having money in my pocket so I could go out and do things." After a couple of years he felt dissatisfied about the choice he'd made and felt he wanted to get some qualification to try and pursue artistic ambitions. "The way I see it is, if you take a year and make an effort to get back to education it gives you an advantage over others," he says. He intends to work on a portfolio and would love to go to Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology, where he could pursue his interests in film or photography.
Clare Ryan is a classic example of someone who narrowly missed the points for his or her chosen subject. "I really want to do veterinary science so I thought I should repeat to see if I could get the points this time around," she says. Sometimes going over previously studied material can be tedious, but Clare didn't find that a problem.
"The teachers this year really focused on exam technique," she says, "things that I had done last year were expanded upon so I really began to understand more, and that makes it easier to learn. If I don't manage to get my points this time I will hopefully do science at UCD. I'm glad I did the repeat year either way because I got a lot out of it." If you're reading this you probably won't find yourself in the same position as Ciaran Phipps. He
missed going to college last year because he was living it up in Gran Canaria when his offer came through. He is hoping to do a business studies degree in DIT and will be waiting for the postman this year when the offers come out.
Says Ciaran: "The second time around is easier because all the mystery of the Leaving Cert is gone. You don't feel so nervous. I found I could focus my mind more because now I know I really want to go to college."
Ciaran's dad recently returned to college and is currently studying business (BES) at TCD. It's obvious his dad's example really helped to encourage Ciaran, even if he's a bit reluctant to admit it. "I used to stay on and do study for a few hours after Tech. When I got home I just wanted to crash in front of the telly but when my dad came home he'd start on about all the stuff he'd done that day. It probably helped a lot to talk through stuff - don't tell him that though," he says.
Anne-Marie Behan found the repeat exams more nerve-racking. "I was much more nervous repeating the exam because this time I really wanted to do well. The first time I did my Leaving I was working on a Saturday. I was too tired to study at weekends and I just didn't take it seriously enough. If you haven't done the exam before it's hard to know how much work you should be doing. For me, personally, Transition Year wasn't a good thing because it got me out of the habit of studying. This time I put a lot more pressure on myself rather than my parents having to nag me to study," she says.
Anne-Marie is interested in doing business studies and has in mind one of the new courses. It has the rather intriguing title of "European Business and Transatlantic Studies" and is at DCU.
Jarlath Lynn didn't do as well as he felt he could the first time around. He hopes to do business studies in UCD or DCU.
"Not doing as well as you expect in the Leaving gives you a real jolt. It makes you realise you really have to put the work in to get what you want," he says.
At times Jarlath found it hard to sustain the level of commitment and enthusiasm but overall thinks that the year was worth it.
"We got good advice about which subjects we might find easier and I changed three of mine," he says.
The teasing and banter that goes back and forth amongst the group shows that they have a lot of fun along the way during their year together. They all agree that it is hard work repeating the Leaving Cert and that at times it was difficult to keep the focus and motivation for exams, but that ultimately they feel they gained a lot from it.
Jim Doherty looks after students repeating their Leaving Cert at Ringsend Tech. He is very realistic about the up and down sides of repeating.
"When students don't do as well as they expect in their exams it can be a real wake-up call and make them really determined to improve their performance. This is particularly so if they are aiming for a certain course," he says.
Mr Doherty says that repeating is not the right option for everyone but that the experience is a good transition from school.
"The kids come here from all areas of the city and from many different backgrounds. It really helps to broaden their experience and increase their confidence before they go on to college or whatever the next stage on their career path might be," he says.
After we chat the gang head off to the park for a quick footie knockabout and plan to call to the pub afterwards. They are at ease and relaxed. They've worked hard and feel they deserve their break.
