EXAM DIARY:COMPULSIVE CARDIGAN buttoning. Highlighter abuse. Audible gasps.

These are the traits that the combined total of six hours and 20 minutes of exams for Irish Paper 2 and business bring out in me. You wouldn’t find that out too easily in the real world, would you? The Leaving Cert is certainly character-building, but who is this character?

Irish Paper 2 was as good as can be expected, although, as I ran my eye over the completed exam, I discovered that I’d written “She’s only a daisy” as Gaeilge about five times down the side of my page while answering the question on An Triail. Upon reflection, I’m pretty sure I was trying to remember a quote. I hope so anyway. All work and no play . . .

Down to business. Aoife was expanding hers, Colm trying to kick something off, Kilronan taking somebody over. Blah blah. Nothing too complicated, but an awful lot to write in not enough time. Half-remembered episodes of The Apprentice came in handy – see, TV’s not the enemy, mother!

Here’s business in a nutshell – ancient course, mysterious marking scheme and more waffle than a round table of motivational speakers at a Belgian breakfast meeting. Business has been a challenge, but we’ve parted ways – while not entirely amicably – with a sense of accomplishment. Draw me a break-even chart you say? Why, yes, I can actually do that.

The day came to a long-awaited end. I arrived in my sitting room with little understanding of how I got there, a quiet ringing in my ears, possibly muttering to myself. I took a while to relax, and then started leafing through my French book. Then I tried to pass off watching Amélieas study. It was not successful with the mother.

Carin Hunt is a student at Wesley College, Dublin