We are at the stage now in Leaving Cert 2025 that many are finishing off their long exam slog. One of those is Galway student Michaela.
She has been a regular contributor to the Leaving Cert Diary series, and she will also have an overview coming this weekend. Thanks so much to her and all the young people who took the time to contribute, and thanks to the Irish Second-Level Students' Union for rallying their members.
Read Michaela's blog here...
Walking into school this morning for my final Leaving Certificate exam, nerves were high. As a class, we all shared the same quiet hope - that it would go well. This was the last hurdle, the final page of a long chapter. Standing beside us was our music teacher Mrs Feeney. Her constant support gave us that extra sense of belief and confidence. We truly felt we could do it.
When I opened the listening paper, I couldn't help but smile. Tchaikovsky had appeared as the 25-mark Question 1, just as I’d hoped. The set works felt familiar and manageable, though one or two questions had some tricky wording. For the Irish music section, I had my fingers crossed for a collector’s essay, but instead I chose the question on Irish dance music, which I still felt well prepared for. Question 6 wrapped up the paper on a high note, with Hozier, Dermot Kennedy, and The Cranberries making an appearance - fitting choices for our final soundtrack.
The composing paper felt like a gift. I had been wishing for a major melody, and both Q1 and Q5 were in major keys. I couldn’t help but grin. The harmony question in 6/8 time suited me well, and I left that exam feeling proud of my work.
Afterwards, there was a real buzz among our class—relief, excitement, pride. But beneath it all was a quiet sadness. For many of us, it was the last time we’d walk those school corridors. Personally, as someone who hopes to become a science teacher, I dream of returning one day to Glenamaddy Community School - not as a student, but as a teacher.
Walking out today, I almost didn’t want to leave. Saying goodbye to the staff and my friends wasn’t easy. But as one chapter ends, another begins. And I know a bright future is waiting for me and I cannot wait to take the next step on my journey.
If you want to review your exams or read back our diary series, visit RTÉ Learn. Make sure to take time to unwind over the next few days.
The ISSU
Founded in 2008, https://www.issu.ie/the ISSU is the national representative body for school students in the Republic of Ireland. The ISSU is led by students, for students.
