Once the mocks are over that's when the real work towards the State Examinations begins, especially if you are in Leaving Cert. Some students feel disappointed after their mock exams, and others feel relieved. Regardless of where you stand on that spectrum, we have some useful tips and notes in this article for you.
" Often when stressed we shut off. As best you can open up and share. In any given day we all Carry something. Don’t carry it alone!"
- Niall Breslin (Bressie)
The Outcome From Of Mock Results Helps You Going Forward
Believe it or not, even if you didn't do exceptionally well in your mock exams it's still a good reference point for you, your parents and your teachers when it comes to the next steps before your leaving cert and filling out the CAO form.
How?
Knowing where you struggle allows you to focus more on those areas. You can now create a new study schedule, allocate extra time to the subjects you found more difficult and cut down your notes to flashcards and only short durations to the subjects you did really well at.
Remember, all you can do is your best and when you apply to the CAO, go for the courses you dream of, not what other people have told you would suit you or what's expected of you because it's your life, your education. You have to do the work over the next 3-5 years, so make sure you apply to somewhere you want to be.
Some Students May Need Extra Support
For some students, especially those who are more creative than academically inclined (right here, I was one of those, way back in the day) the Mocks results can be kind of traumatic and make you even more afraid of the real Leaving Cert Exams.
When I was in school we would just get sent to the Career Guidance teacher who would tell us to lower our expectations for 3rd level of education and submit the CAO form to colleges with minimal requirements. But things have changed, and largely for the better!
If you didn't get the equivalent of the points you needed in the mocks that you need for the CAO course you want, nowadays you have a plethora of options!
- You Can Find Reasonable Tutors: There are tutors in every subject now, and they aren't as expensive as they once were. The best bit is if you need to have more than one tutoring session per evening and you are on a budget or have no transport there are even ways around that now too. Especially here at Superprof, our tutors start at just €15 per lesson and most even give the first lesson free! You can arrange in-person or online lessons at times suitable to you so why not try?
- Create a Study Group with Others who Struggled: There are so many reasons why this is beneficial, it's not a typical recommendation but it is super helpful and proven to work. Studying in groups helps students learn more effectively and helps to eliminate procrastination. It has been proven that those who participate in study groups feel more confident and comfortable about reaching their academic goals.
- Forget About The CAO: Now, this is going to be controversial, and I'm sure some of your parents are saying that one doesn't know what she's saying, stop reading! But please, stay with me just a little longer. The CAO form is great, and College and University are great but they are not for everyone. That's why thankfully Ireland has a wonderful Further Education system, which doesn't focus so heavily on the purely academic side of things. If you're a creative soul you might find a design, art, music, hairdressing, film etc... course within the Further Education list of courses, or you might get into a link course, that way if you want to do medicine or nursing or business or science you still can, it just might take you the extra year. This route is also an excellent option for any students who wish to defer their points.
What is the CAO Form All About?
CAO = Central Applications Office
The Central Applications Office processes applications for undergraduate courses in Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs). Decisions on admissions to undergraduate courses are made by the HEIs who instruct CAO to make offers to successful candidates.
How do you calculate CAO points?
You add up your six highest-scoring subjects to get your final CAO Points, +25 points if you get an H6 or higher in Maths.
What Helps with Exam Stress?
It is normal to feel some stress about upcoming tests, exams, papers or presentations. Indeed, a small amount of stress can challenge you and stimulate you to work harder. However it's when that stress causes you to worry more, experience anxiety or depression, lose sleep, become forgetful, irritable, overwhelmed, exhausted and feel out of control. This can really impact your ability to prepare for your assignments and exams, as well as negatively affect your levels of performance and sense of well-being.
Believe it or not, there are actually a few things for a student to try that can help alleviate some of that exam stress.
Keep a routine and take regular breaks!
Some people find that practising mindfulness helps you focus on what's happening right at this moment. For others physical activities such as taking a walk, running, or to the gym are not a waste of time, they let you blow off some steam. Some people prefer to zone out and play a console game or read a book, taking a break from reality is a great way to clear your head.
Look after yourself!
I cannot emphasise this point enough, your health is more important than any exam or education. You can always repeat or take an alternative route to University.
Keep hydrated, the less you drink the more tired, sad and irritated you become, not to mention those study headaches! A coffee or two is fine to start the day but really it should be water all day! Water helps your brain cells communicate with each other, clears out toxins and waste that impair brain function, and carries nutrients to your brain.
Please. Remember, someone is always here to listen, someone is going through what you are too, and lots of people care about you! If you need to chat or some support find a coach on Superprof.ie
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