So, how did it all go? That's the question that will be pinging across all the WhatsApp groups and socials. No matter what, remember to take a deep breath and relax.
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With thanks to our friends at the Irish Second-Level Students' Union we have another year of our Leaving Cert Diary blogs. It's the place where young people tell us what they thought in their own words.
Here are the contributors for the first Leaving Cert Diary from the Class of 2023:
- Aoibhín attends Loreto Wexford
- Caragh attends Carndonagh Donegal
- Conall attends Institute of Education Dublin
- Shannon attends St Mary's Cork
Conall on English Paper 1
The race finally got started this morning with English Paper 1 and I'm delighted to say it was a beautiful paper! It was very accessible for myself and I'm sure most students.
I chose to do the comprehension surrounding the very much topical Artificial Intelligence (AI). The comprehension consisted of two articles from Patricia Scanion, Ireland’s first AI Ambassador, and Ben Spencer, in which they discussed the ethical and moral problems surrounding AI. It was quite clear and understandable and I’m sure many students will have tackled this comprehension.
Another very topical area on the paper was the first comprehension, based on migration from Zanzibar to London. I personally completed question B for this section, which was a personal letter home to Zanzibar. In which I discussed life in London, some fascinating situations I found myself in, the kind gestures of the local people, as well as how living in London has changed me. From what I heard, many students also attempted this question, and it seems to be a crowd pleaser.
Finally, the largest part of the paper, and the scariest element, the Composition! Like many other students, I was hoping for a nice personal essay, in which the SEC delivered. My personal essay was based on some of the things that bring excitement and wonder into my life. I personally discussed music and my love for it, playing it on my piano, and listening to it through my AirPods. I quoted songs from Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, even Grace by Joseph Mary Plunkett, popularised by The Dubliners.
However, Paper 1 is over now and we turn to Paper 2, where I am under the impression most students (myself included) are hoping for Patrick Kavanagh or Paula Meehan to appear, along with a beautiful Lady Macbeth question! Onward and upward! Well done to all students today!
Shannon on English Paper 1
I'm still feeling jittery after the very first of the Leaving Cert exams, English Paper 1. This year’s students are in the unique position of never having sat a state examination before, our Junior Certificates having been suspended, and that knowledge was palpable in the room this morning: we were all facing an entirely new experience.
In terms of the paper itself I have mixed feelings: my friends’ pre-exam guessing game could not have predicted the theme 'Between Two Worlds’, but I found the texts to be topical and enjoyed reading them. I was immediately drawn to Text 2’s Question B; I love the idea of visiting sites of literary and historical significance and a recent holiday to Edinburgh sprung to mind, so I circled that and settled on Text 3’s Question A.
I am interested in computer science and have previously done research into AI, and there were echoes of that in the questions. However, I still felt a bit wrongfooted as I began the question: comprehension questions are and have always been my weakness. Still, I muddled through, hopefully managing to make a few strong points.
After this I returned to my Question B, which I found myself enjoying; it was nice to relive some of the memories of a very good holiday. Finally, I was on to the daunting 100-mark Composition. My chosen medium is short stories, and by some stroke of luck the first prompt, on confused characters in mysterious settings, matched almost perfectly to a story I had written before that I was proud of. Breathing a sigh of relief, I tried to recreate something similar, just about getting it done before the clock struck 12.20.
Overall, I came out of English 1 cautiously optimistic; hopefully tomorrow will evoke similar feelings!
Aoibhín on English and Home Economics
Overall I was quite happy with English Paper 1. While Question A was always going to be my downfall, the QB option on a letter really set the tone for a decent exam paper.
I ended up choosing the article option of composing (a choice I'd say we were quite spoilt with). While it was a toughie I ended up quite enjoying getting to write about my hometown!
Let's hope tomorrow goes as well, with a visit from Elizabeth Bishop and her tremendous fish!
With Home Ec done, there's only one question on everyone's minds; where were the carbohydrates?
Home Economics Higher Level
With no appearance from the big bad carbohydrates, many of us were left dumbfounded with the appearance of iron on Section B question 1.
However persevered we did, with the appearance of fish, meat, the microwave and the family, it was a decent but unpredictable paper.
Overall I was quite happy with the paper, getting 13 short questions and all my long questions done just before the time is up.
So bye bye to disaccharides, you will not be missed!
Six ways to manage your Leaving Cert stress!
