Exams over and now I’m leaving to join the Army

It's exam central in my house at the moment. I've just finished my exams. My sister is sitting her Junior Cert and my Mam, who has gone back to college, is doing exams as well. No special treatment here!

The exams were the final stage of a marathon for me. Unlike the other exam diarists, who have had a massive amount riding on two weeks of exams, I’ve just finished the Leaving Cert Applied (LCA) which is all about continuous assessment. I’ve found that fierce helpful.

I mean, it’s hard in a way because there was no point during the two years where you could relax and take it easy. There was always some assessment coming up, but the upside is now. When everyone was freaking out, I felt fine. And now, I’m done.

The exams went well. Engineering was a bit tough but everything else was grand. I had my engineering interview where an examiner asks you about your portfolio and your project and then, just like that, I was finished.

No big celebration. My class are going out for a meal together which will be nice, and then it’s relaxation time.

I don’t have the big long summer like everyone else. I have a place in the Army so I’ll be heading off next month to start my training. I’m excited, nervous, excited . . . did I mention I’m excited about it? It’s going to be an adventure, that’s for sure. My girlfriend and I will give the long distance thing a go. You never know unless you try, right?

Military career

If you aren’t into the idea of a military career, I guess it can be a difficult one to understand. I love the idea of the challenge, doing something different every day. The thought of working in an office day in day out fills me with horror. I couldn’t do it. I’m not sure I’ll stay in the Army for my whole working life. I’ll have to see how things go. The idea of joining the Garda at some point appeals to me. The armed response unit – where the action is.

I guess it’s pretty obvious why the LCA suited me so well. It’s practical, there’s plenty of variety. I really liked how the small class meant you could ask the questions you needed to ask without holding everyone up. If I didn’t have it, I’m not sure I would have stayed in school. As it was, the last two years were actually pretty pleasant.

Mark Ryan is a student at Coláiste Chill Mhantáin in Wicklow