The Leaving and Junior Cert exams kick off today, bringing to a close years of stressful and intensive study toward these decisive exams.
It's an anxiety- and relief-filled period for students and families across the country, as they inch closer to a well-deserved and longed-for summer.
With that in mind, Ryan Tubridy sent his best wishes and a motivational pep talk to all of those taking on exams this morning, reflecting on how "brutal" the process can be.
Posting on his Instagram story while walking to work in the RTÉ radio centre, Tubridy said: "I wanted to leave a message here for anyone heading in to do big exams today, particularly the Leaving Cert."
He got candid about the reality of the exams, saying, "It's not a very nice exam. In fact, it's quite brutal, and it's not very fair. It's not very kind, unlike you".
"So remember, they're testing your knowledge from books you've read and things you've learned from school from your brilliant teachers", he continued, adding that the exams don't challenge anything deeper than how much you can remember from your study.
"And that's all it is, it's a test of that knowledge. It's not a test of you as a human being. Are you a good person? Are you a kind person? Are you a decent person? That stuff is frankly more important."
"So go in and do your exams, go in and do your best", he finished. "And then remember that the train has now left the station and you are on the railroad to freedom. It's around the corner."
He added that students should then "get on with your life, put that exam behind you and be the best version of yourself you possibly can be".
"And hopefully the future will be very bright."
