Career Advice
The Truth About the Leaving Cert
People get incredibly stressed about the Leaving Cert. Hair falling out, not eating, not sleeping. It's sad, and in hindsight it's kinda ridiculous that young people are put under so much pressure for an exam that is not all that important.
Let's dig into that:
Yes, you want to do the best LC you can. Get what you think you deserve, beat your friends, etc. Yes you want to get the course you want. Some courses scream "I'm a genius" while others scream "I'm a dumbass". And yes, you want to make your parents proud so their "investment" in you over the years wasn't wasted.
All fair.
But here is my take on the Leaving Cert as someone who has guided hundreds of college students and early career people, and as someone who did it myself (long ago!):
Truth 1
Employers / the world don't care what you got in the LC. They don't even care what degree you did (unless it's a specialised role of course). Grad programs care sometimes, sure, but honestly grad programs are not going to be big hirers by the time you're looking at them (in 4 years). You'll get a job through your network (more on this later).
Truth 2
You have to see through the Leaving Cert to see what it's testing you for. Irish Society isn't trying to reward people who know a lot about history, or coastal erosion or whatever else. They're testing you on 3 things, regardless of the subject:
Assiduity
Sometimes called "ass-sit-do-it-y". The ability and discipline to sit on your ass and do "the thing", whatever it is. The ability to put in reps. History is a stupid thing to test for, AI can do that. Assiduity is not. It's the biggest driver of success in every area of life (fitness the most obvious example).
Resilience
Hugely important. The LC is the first big test for you guys. Most people are disappointed (the people who get 580 wanted 625, remember). It's not about that. It's about taking that hit and saying "ok, this is the situation I'm in, what is the best path for me now" and cracking on with it. Controversial opinion: People who get 600+ often stumble once they leave college because they lack this trait. They have always been able to "hide behind" their academic prowess through school and college, and when they learn (the hard way) that the world doesn't work that way, it really knocks them. Trust me — it is a blessing to get this "knock" in early.
Stoicism
Resilience comes in after the LC. Stoicism comes before and during. If I asked you, chilling out on a couch, to do the times tables, I'm sure you'd find it easy. If I asked you to do it and told you a bomb will explode if you get something wrong and break your rhythm, I'm sure you'd get it wrong! What's the difference? Your state of mind! Stress does not help. This is commonly known in sports performance already and is even more prevalent in academic performance. Roger Federer — a smooth relaxed tennis player. Usain Bolt, a relaxed running motion. In golf, if you swing more gently the ball goes further, because you hit the sweet spot. This is true in life and the LC tests you for it. Be the calm among the storm. What will be will be.
Ask yourself — why am I stressed about this? Why is it so important to me that I do a good LC?
If it's your parents' investment in you: They didn't invest in you to get a good LC. They invested in you to lead a fulfilling life. The LC barely appears on the radar of that, despite how looming it is now.
If it's your friends' judgement: I completely understand that, but any friend that judges you through this isn't your friend and you know what? Not getting the same course as them would be great for you anyway, as you get to hit refresh and make new friends who suit who you are now and who you want to become, not who you were when you were 12.
If it's the course you want: If it's medicine, you can take the science route. If it's anything else, honestly the course is 100% irrelevant. I studied business and it taught me almost nothing that has applied to my career to date (in business!). College is not about your course, it's about your personal growth and your ability to get outside your comfort zone.
So listen, relax. You have 3 months to go. Work hard, stay focussed, but don't erode that good work by not sleeping, not eating etc. You're literally eroding it by not giving your brain and body the ability to perform for you on the day.
"What's for you won't pass you"
What is meant to be will be. If you don't get your first choice, you weren't meant to. It doesn't mean you screwed up the plan, it means you were wrong about what your first choice should have been to begin with. The people you meet in whatever course you land in are the people you were meant to meet, and so on.
Believe in that and you'll be fine. Good luck!