How I study:

Hi dolls and gents, 

Apologies for the lack of content, it has been a busy few college weeks.I'm officially finished first year of college, crazy how times flies! Exam season and Leaving Cert is soon approaching, it is understandable how our heads can get all muddled up. Here a few tips I have to make studying that little more doable. 

*Note - These are things I find helpful however if you are different and comfortable with other methods, do you! 💖*

1. Timetable: 

A study timetable is what everyone needs during the academic year. Timetables will help you keep focused and organised. They are extremely motivating. Aim for reasonable time spacing within your timetables and allow for breaks, including time spacing will keep you in check so you don't do overboard. Timetables are a great guilt tripper having it glaring back at you if you are having a slack day. 

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2.  Candles and Fairy lights: 

I love being relaxed and cosy when I study. Scented candles and fairy lights are my go to surrounding essentials. It helps eliminate the stress and keep me focused. Many people can't study with music or any sounds whatsoever, I however am the complete opposite. I cannot study in silence, I sometimes either listen to inspiring Ted Talks or even as hipy as this may seem, listen to sounds of the ocean on Spotify. It relaxes me what can I say? 

3. Exam Papers: 

In order to get into the exam mode, I study and look at previous exam papers. By doing this, it helps me get focused and ready for the exam ahead. I learn about time management, what questions come up more frequently than others and what topics I need to focus on. 

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4. Mind Maps: 

Clear and condense notes is what I live for. I can't bear the idea of looking at a page filled with too many facts, quotes and summaries, it can be very overwhelming. Mind Maps on coloured paper are my favourite things. It is also an excuse to be a little creative - what more could you want?

 

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5. Breaks: 

The most important thing of all is to take breaks. Throughout my Leaving Cert I studied constantly to the point where not only did it affect my results, it damaged my health. Stress and tiredness is like black and navy, massive NO. You should not feel any guilt having a break. A happy healthy you can conquer the world! 

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CAO Tips

Dolls & Gents, 

Hope you all are keeping well. I am planning to do more college focused blogs next week so keep an eye out for that! 

Ah the good old Central Applications Office, the website that makes you feel it has your whole life planned out in just a list from 1-10. The CAO can be the most daunting thing you do, but it's important you chose purely for yourself because at the end of the day it is you and only you that will be spending 3-4 years in the course, not your parents, friends or the society that tells you what's best. Best thing is to go with your heart and the rest will all fall into place. Here are a few tips that will prevent you from pulling your hair out. 

1. Make a list- 

I make lists about everything and anything everyday, whether it be a what I need to do today list or study list, I will find any excuse to make one. Lists just keep everything clean, clear and calm. What I did last year was write a list based on 3 things, Interests, Hobbies and Favourite Subjects. All these three things correspond with Course Content, Subjects Taught and Careers or Further Progression that linked with course finder on Qualifax. This will help eliminate what you want and don't want to do. It helped me so much as for example on my list there below, I had Marketing. I found out while researching there was a lot of math involved and no english, writing, reading etc, therefore Marketing was scored out from my checklist. This is tedious but through endless searching I found my dream course that is English and Media Studies. I get to read and write on endless English classics whilst analysing advertisements and how to read film, it suits me down to a tee. This is your future, so base it around you and only you. 

2. Ask People who are qualified in the field you want to go into: 

This was something I found extremely useful, having wanting to study either teaching or media I went and looked for advice via my sister and my teachers. My sister is the PR executive for Lottie Dolls, she studied Communications in DCU. Marie being the big protective sister she is gave me great advice on her job, her college life and how Public Relations isn't just based on getting likes on social media. Same goes for teaching, I remember we had a careers day in school and English teacher Mr Harmon, told us all what it's like to be a secondary teacher, it gave me a real insight into both jobs. Both speakers were so honest, they gave the pros and cons which again is something you will need to know. This is something you hope to get job out of in the end of your 3/4 years so it is important you know what you are getting yourself into. 

My Beautiful sister

3. Know your back route ways & add right amount to CAO.

Although you may know in the back of your mind what you want to do and what course you are set on doing. It is important to know your options incase it doesn't go your way. Whether it be repeating the year or simply adding a few extra level 7/6's to get you into the course later. It is daunting thinking about that, believe me I use to feel so anxious about it.  DO NOT put any course down that you don't want to do but just feel as though it will get you into a college. That is the worse thing you can do, you will end up in a course you don't like, want to drop out and feel miserable. I heard of people that have done that and they regret it. Dropping out can affect you both financially and mentally. Just put down courses you actually WANT to do and not because you wanted to fill in the spaces. 

BridgingApps.com

4. Everyone is different: 

It is important to know that everyone has different choices and we all should respect that. If someone wants to do a back route course instead of repeating or vice versa it's important to respect that decision. Comments like ' I wouldn't do that' ' ,You can't get a job if you do that' etc, It can really affect some people and put them off their choices. At the end of the day, it's your decision and only yours. Don't listen to any negative comments or don't give any comments to others on your or their choices. Just keep doing you. Everything will fall into place and I'm a strong believer in  the old saying 'Everything happens for a reason.' 

Hope that is helpful to anyone, honestly the best advice is to do what you want to do. Whether it be a teacher, chef, nurse, writer, astronaut, or clown. As long as you are happy that is the main thing. 

Talk soon and stay happy and healthy! 

Niamh 

x

Mind Yourself - My Leaving Cert Story

My Leaving Cert year on the outside seemed perfect, a leading part in the musical, being part of the student council team and not to mention getting to college. But on the inside it was constant stress, pressure, anxiety and constant despair. I felt as though I had no reason to feel like this so would put it aside everyday. Everyday began to feel like a week, the strain was getting too much and the Leaving Cert pressure destroyed my personality, I didn't know who I was anymore. This is a story about the beginning of my depression and my emotions and feelings. I know everyone's stories and emotions are completely different. The aim of this blog post is to help anyone that may feel somewhat the same or to tell people not to let the Leaving Cert get to you- you are much better than that. 

I haven't studied enough. I'm not going to get anywhere. 

School became a nightmare, classmates telling me how much they studied the previous night, how many grinds they attend. Sitting in a classroom feeling full of despair, 'I can't do this', 'I'm not like the others', 'I won't get to college' The thought process was non stop that I couldn't focus in class, constantly feeling sick, lunch was my only break. Coming home, I would eat my dinner and go straight to my desk for the night. 3 hours began to 4 hours, 4 hours began to pulling all nighters. I remember Mum and Dad being so concerned but I felt as though they didn't understand, this was something I had to do. Every night would lead to me crying endlessly in my pillow, wishing this year would be over. I would wake up, put my bag on my heavy shoulders and throw on my fake smile. 'Everything will be fine' I kept saying to myself - But it wasn't, I wasn't. 

Guilt. 

The simple tasks like going to the shops made me feel nothing but guilt. Going to 18ths, shopping, even going on a school trip. I hated it, all I wanted to do was study, I began to feel exhausted and the sadness increased. There was also guilt because I was feeling sad, I had no reason to be, everything was fine, I was fine. People had bigger problems I would tell myself. I guess I was in denial that I was beginning to get depression. That's one thing to note, never ignore or feel guilty that you aren't feeling yourself, it's important to always be happy. 

Lashing out: 

I began to feel that nobody understood me, nobody knew the pressure I was under, when in fact every Leaving Cert student was feeling the same pressure. I would distance myself from my friends, boyfriend and even my family. I didn't want to talk to anyone or tell them how I was feeling. I felt a burden to people, an unnecessary one. My only companion was my studying essentials. I am so thankful that my loved ones stood by me but I then began to realise that something wasn't right and it was me. Always talk to someone about how you feel, and don't isolate yourself. The isolation leads to social anxiety, which is something I still to this day, need to improve. 

The Leaving Cert had changed who I was, it took me months to recover from it. All for what? A piece of paper saying congrats you remembered a heap of unnecessary stuff e.g algebra :) Listen, there is so much more to life than the piece of paper don't let it stop you from getting what you want. Do your best and the rest will sort itself out. I hope this helped in any shape or form and don't ever feel down. Remember everyone is in the same boat as you, together you all will do great! We don't have to discuss the Leaving 24/7, talk about Summer, Weekends, 18ths etc. Do what makes you happy, focus on yourself and your health. 

Stay happy always, 

Niamh 

x

Welcome to Country2College

Hello and welcome to my blog Country2College! This is a blog for those students who are worrying about the pressures of the dreaded Leaving Cert and also wondering about the real truth of college life. 

I am a first year student in Dublin City University currently studying Media and English. I have also been the in the position last year of having nothing but constant doubt, stress and worry on your mind 24/7, and believe me it isn't nice. However, I can tell you that it will get better and that all that is on my mind now is when I'll see the media girls next for a catch up and do I have enough beans for my one of a kind beans on toast dinner. It s a tough year but you will come out the other side with a big grin on your face. 

This blog is just going to be about my experiences last year and tips on how to not pull your hair out and also some college advice from apartment DIY, food shopping, making friends, fitting in etc. I hope this blog can help you in any shape or form as I know for me personally I had no idea what lay ahead after the Leaving Cert and it was a constant worry for me. 

I hope you enjoy and I look forward to blog soon. Have a lovely weekend and remember to keep calm. 

Niamh 

x 

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