Amy O'Brien (19) from Mitchelstown, Co Cork shares her reaction to the Leaving Cert results. She has a keen interest in journalism and is currently a contributing writer to The Avondhu and The Echo. Amy attended Presentation Secondary School Mitchelstown and hopes to go on to study Law.
All summer, the 23rd of August has been a highly anticipated day. From the moment I finished my Leaving Cert in June, I've been waiting for this day. As it came closer to this Friday, that anticipation built and I found it hard not to think about results all this week. Most of my waking thoughts felt consumed by it. So although this morning was filled with nerves and tension, part of me was also excited to finally know how I did in my exams and to get closer to my next step in education.
I am aspiring to study Law in college next year and I’d love to be in Cork City. These hopes and goals were the main thing on my mind this morning as I opened up my laptop. I was overwhelmed with emotions as I plugged my examination number into the Leaving Cert portal. I also couldn’t help but think of my closest friends and felt the pressure they have also put themselves under to get the points they hoped for. Having logged onto the page early this morning in advance, I waited with the laptop open until 10am.
Then, I got a text from my best friend at quarter to 10. The results were out. I refreshed my screen and saw my candidate number, date of birth and below it, my results. I saw my list of subjects, English, Irish, Maths, Biology, German, Art and History. Beside it was a list repeating, Higher Level. Finally, I looked at my grades and I couldn’t believe it. I was so happy with my results, I began to tear up and couldn’t stop smiling. All the excitement towards the next chapter of my life and college that I hadn't properly let myself feel yet, suddenly washed over me.
See students in Dublin react to their results below...and read on for more from Amy.
I rushed over to the CAO points calculator online but because of a high volume of traffic, I had to wait five minutes. It was an agonising wait, I knew everyone around the country was adding up their points and was waiting to do so myself. I added up my 7 subjects and the bonus points for Higher Level Maths. I couldn’t believe my eyes when I saw the three, bold numbers pop up on the screen. I felt an overwhelming sense of relief. My dedication and hard work had paid off.
I then told my Mam, Dad and brother, who were waiting eagerly around the house, to give them my news. They were just as ecstatic as I was and incredibly proud. I also went to a reception in my school for results day and was awarded a physical copy of my results. I got a sense from my classmates that most people felt really happy with their results and overall, did better than they expected of themselves. It was also brilliant to meet my supportive teachers, who were such amazing help and chat to them about my results, the Leaving Certificate, the summer and about our plans for later today!
Overall, I feel proud of myself, relieved and excited. I’m looking forward to celebrating this milestone over the weekend and will still hold my fingers tightly crossed for next Wednesday, when the CAO offers will be out!
RTÉ Learn has some great advice and information for the Class of 2024.
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Advice for students from Guidance Counsellor Róisín O'Donohoe
