EXAM DIARY:LAST NIGHT, as I stared at my little fort built out of pencils, wondering if you can still buy Creme Eggs at this time of year, it suddenly dawned on me. O my. word. The Leaving has arrived!
Facebook, tea breaks and checklists – is this compulsive cycle one of the habits of a highly successful person?
Will it get me into law in Trinity? Over the crucial days ahead I will provide you all with a live commentary of a very modern Leaving Cert student – torn asunder by the pull of social networking sites and HBO programming, aiming for a career in a sector that has been crushed by the recession and grappling with a brand new maths course specially designed for the needs of the smart economy generation. That’s me. Carin Hunt. Leaving Cert diarist 2011.
I go to Wesley College in Ballinteer. Or rather I used to go there. It’s hard to believe I’m not actually a school student any more when every fibre of my being is currently consumed by books, folders and panic. When I’m not feeling panicked I go into a kind of Zen state as though the exams are not even happening. I’m not entirely sure which of the two is better. At least the sense of dread prompts me to study properly and not just sit in front of my books with an eerie blank stare on my face and that strange buzz that you get from 17 cups of tea.
I’ve spent the past week studying in school because I find it easier to study out of the house, and pretty much everyone that I’m there with has exhibited some form of madness this week. It helps to see others in the same state of psychological disarray – but it’s a bother getting out of my pyjamas.
Before exams I always have moments where I can’t remember the name of my subjects, let alone what I’m supposed to know about them. I’m caught between waiting impatiently for it all to be over and desperately wanting more time to learn Hamlet quotes.
I’m studying Irish, English, maths, French, classical studies, biology and business. To be honest I’m not keen on any of the curriculums. I love English but I’m not a fan of the exam. The Leaving ruins any kind of passion you might have for a subject. You have to focus consistently on the course and how to impress that mysterious and intimidating figure; The examiner. I have to say, my perception of Leaving Cert examiners could not be more negative – no matter how many times teachers tell us that “they want to give you marks”.
I can’t help but imagine my bad luck at getting someone who despises every thought I put down, thinks my handwriting foolish and is not impressed with my choice of pen colour (which is something I have the rather sad inclination to obsess over. It kept me awake last night – blue or black? Blue or Black? Blue or black?).
Out of all the subjects, classical studies is a favourite, although I’m not a massive fan of the Alexander the Great chronicles, mostly because Arrian and Plutarch do my head in, but I like the other topics, particularly the epics.
Nothing, however, rattles me like maths. I’m not into maths, I think I started out negatively about the subject and slowly started to abandon it in my studying as time went on. We’re doing Project Maths at school which has been a bit difficult because there are fewer resources like past papers available. I do think the concept of making maths more relevant is a swing in the right direction though.
Over the coming days my diary is likely to become shrill and incomprehensible so may I take this opportunity to wish you all the very best of luck in the exams while I still have the clarity of mind to do so. If I make law and end up representing you in court some day, please don’t use any of this diary in evidence against me.
I wasn’t quite myself.
SONGS TO GET YOU THROUGH
DEFIANCE, OHIO
The List
STATE RADIO
Indian Moon
AGAINST ME!
Wagon Wheel
RADIOHEAD
Electioneering
LESS THAN JAKE
Look What Happened
