Study Hub is back to help the Leaving Cert Class of 2025. And, this year we say a fond farewell to Evelyn O'Rourke and a big hello to a new host...
I'm Maura Fay, a reporter with Today with Claire Byrne on RTÉ Radio 1, and I’m thrilled to be taking over as host of Study Hub!
When I did my Leaving Cert, I was so unsure about what I was doing - it was uncharted territory. I was the first in my family to sit it, and my idea of studying was staring at a textbook for hours, hoping the information would magically stick. I had a detailed revision timetable, inspirational quotes and mnemonics stuck to my wall hoping they would inspire me to hit the books. If only I knew then what I know now!
People say the Leaving Cert is just memorizing facts, but it’s more than that. It’s about proving what you know and shaping your answers to fit the questions. Each subject has its own tricks and techniques, and that’s where Study Hub comes in. There’s a skill to sitting exams, and Study Hub helps you learn from experts on how to use what you know in the best way possible.
Even the basics - like getting a good night’s sleep - can make a difference. I barely slept the night before my first exam. English Paper 1 was a breeze, but by the time Paper 2 rolled around that afternoon, I was struggling to keep my eyes open.
Irish was surprisingly straightforward. I had done Ordinary Level for the Junior Cert, but after a trip to the Gaeltacht, I felt ready to take on Higher Level. It was especially satisfying to prove the doubters wrong!
Maths, French, and Biology went well, but Accounting? A complete disaster. I made the classic mistake of cutting down my revision too much, so when faced with a choice between Question A or B, I realised I hadn’t studied either. Big mistake.
Chemistry, my last and favorite exam, was a different story. I had prepared by drilling past exam paper questions over and over again. That’s when it clicked for me - exams aren’t about knowing everything, they’re about knowing how to use what you’ve learned.
Apart from my sleep-deprived English Paper 2 (though I can still quote Macbeth to this day) and the Accounting fiasco, I got through my Leaving Cert and was happy about how I did. It’s important to remember that it’s about answering questions on subjects you’ve spent years studying - you can do it. So take a deep breath, tune into Study Hub, and find the study approach that works for you!
Study Hub returns Thursday evening, with bespoke Podcasts, TikTok clips, YouTube playlists, additional content on RTÉ Learn online, and on Radio 1 Drivetime at 6:45pm.
