Facing the Challenge of the Leaving Cert Mocks
During the months of January and February, being a sixth-year or a third-year student in Ireland means facing the daunting challenge of the Leaving Cert mocks. These practice exams are a crucial part of preparing for the final exams in June, offering a valuable chance to test your knowledge and get a feel for the real thing. The mocks span an intense two-week period, filled with back-to-back exams and a lot to prepare for.
They were, of course, quite overwhelming, but my friends and I supported each other through it. Since many of us live in the residence, we had the advantage of being able to simply walk downstairs to the study hall, take our exams, and then head back to our rooms to study or take a short break when we were done for the day before getting back to our desks.
Kicking Off with Politics and Art
We started on the Friday right before St. Brigid’s Day with Politics and Art—two of my most information-heavy subjects. The Politics and Society paper involves three sections: short questions, data-based questions, and essays, all to be completed in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
The Art paper is slightly different, consisting of short questions on art commentary and two essays on art history, focusing on topics covered in our school’s curriculum.
Both subjects are essay-based, which made me pretty nervous, but it turned out alright. Now, having gone through the experience, I have a clearer idea of where I need to focus my efforts in these subjects.
A Full Exam Experience
After St. Brigid’s Day, I had all my other subjects: the two Maths papers, the two English papers, Computer Science, Physics, and Japanese. It was great to sit full exam papers in a proper exam environment for the first time. It truly prepared me for what’s to come. While I don’t think I performed my absolute best, it’s a valuable indicator of where I need to improve before the real exams in June.
The Importance of Preparation and Balance
Now that I’ve made it through the mock season, I can see why everyone emphasises preparation and balance. It’s not just about studying hard but also about finding ways to manage stress. Doing well in the mocks can really boost your confidence or, alternatively, give you a helpful nudge if you’re falling behind or ahead of your studies—ultimately setting you up for better results in the real exams.
Finding Ways to Stay Motivated
Throughout the mocks, I tried to keep a balance between studying and taking breaks. My friends and I made sure to joke around at times to ease off the stress; something I did with my roommate was, every time we finished an exam, we wrote it down on our bathroom mirror as if we had accomplished a level. We completed 10 exams together!
A Refreshing Break at the Lunar New Year Festival
Another highlight was stepping away from my notes on a Sunday and going into town with my friend to experience the Lunar New Year celebrations on Drury Street, Suffolk Street, and Capel Street in the afternoon.
They marked the start of the Year of the Snake with an Asian cultural extravaganza of food, music, dance, and a 10-metre-long Asian dragon and snake. While the Lunar New Year isn’t widely celebrated in Japan, the festivities were a fantastic opportunity to immerse myself in a different culture. It was a refreshing change of pace, and I returned to my studies with renewed energy.
Recharging in Germany Over Midterm
After surviving the mocks, I spent my midterm break in Germany at my roommate, Anouk’s house. Living in Ireland makes it easy to explore Europe, and this getaway was just what I needed to recharge. She showed me around her city, and I loved taking in the incredible architecture that surrounded us.
Having that time away from schoolwork helped me return with a clearer mind and a bit more motivation.
Taking breaks and giving yourself moments to relax is so important during the mocks. It keeps you grounded and helps prevent burnout. I’m just trying to keep in mind that preparation and balance are key—hopefully, it’ll all pay off!
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