Should I move schools for 5th year?

Chuchoter

I'm in TY at the moment and I completely hate it. I've never really liked my school or my friends there. I really want a good leaving cert (about 550 points) but my junior cert was average (3As and 7Bs). That was half down to me not studying some of the less important subjects but also down to the fact that I had to learn the History, Irish, Home Ec and Geography course by myself.

The teaching in my school is mediocre, at best. There are about 6 good teachers. The classes are big and they don't stream anything. There is also the possibility they won't have Physics next year. I want to go to the institute, but its so expensive. What should I do? School suggestions? Is the institute worth what you pay for it?
thanks

spurious

90% of how you will get on anywhere is your attitude to work and your own application.
If you want to spend money on the Institute, do so.

TheDarkKnightLC

I left my school after 5th year having already skipped 4th year cos i didnt like the year i was in and had more friends in the year ahead. also 3 of my teachers had left. i went to the institute and the teaching was unbelieveable, it rly is second to none. unfortunately i didnt have the motvation to study with it and ended up missing out on science. the institute is worth the money if you have the motivation cos the teachers wont motivate you. they have a very liberal attitude. its very like the college mentality. i also regret not leaving and going there for 5th and 6th. also if u do decide to stay in your school and try your best at the leaving frst time, repeating isnt the end of the world. i had a college course cancelled and im currently repeating in st laurence college in loughlinstown. the teaching is very good and they force u to study. i got 335 last year and im averaging around the 500s at the moment and shud get above 500 in my mocks. there are plenty of options. Hope this helps

Anthony16

I moved from a public to private school after 3rd year and it did me the world of good.Got 2A and 7B in my J.C. and 5A1s and two B2s in the leavin so it def helped,but motivation,desire and determination are the most important things.
I actually know a guy who went to the institute but said the class sizes were very big,which aint a good thing

Chuchoter

Anthony...is there any chance you could PM me what school you're in (if its not boys school, I'm a girl). I'm in a private school, its just a really bad one.

Professional Griefer

I left my school after 3rd year. Wasn't my choice, but I don't really care. Now in a private school I find its easier. Be it the teachers or myself, it doesn't matter to me. But as said above, most of it is your own attitude towards school and how hard you want to work. You could be in a horrible school and still achieve 550.

Lawliet

Ix Deadmau5 wrote: »

You could be in a horrible school and still achieve 550.

That's true. A good school is a benefit of course but that's only going to get you so far. It's up to the person themselves to work.

Some people seem to think that you have to spend thousands on a school to get a good leaving cert, but most of the top feeder schools are non-feeing paying.

Healium

crayolastereo wrote: »

I'm in TY at the moment and I completely hate it. I've never really liked my school or my friends there. I really want a good leaving cert (about 550 points) but my junior cert was average (3As and 7Bs). That was half down to me not studying some of the less important subjects but also down to the fact that I had to learn the History, Irish, Home Ec and Geography course by myself.

The teaching in my school is mediocre, at best. There are about 6 good teachers. The classes are big and they don't stream anything. There is also the possibility they won't have Physics next year. I want to go to the institute, but its so expensive. What should I do? School suggestions? Is the institute worth what you pay for it?
thanks

This is extremely parallel to my story I moved

Ricky_Bobby

TheDarkKnightLC wrote: »

i had a college course cancelled and im currently repeating in st laurence college in loughlinstown. the teaching is very good and they force u to study. i got 335 last year and im averaging around the 500s at the moment and shud get above 500 in my mocks. there are plenty of options. Hope this helps

Don't repeat. or if you do do not go near laurences. am currently repeating there myself and it is the biggest waste of time. the teachers are useless (with the exception of 1 or 2) and they treat you like idiotic babies, i do not particularly like being 19 and still have to get permission slips and acknowledgement forms signed by my parents with the threat of "detention" hanging over my head if i dont. I have had to do more work at home on my own to simply get the courses covered as the teachers do not know what they are talking about for the majority of subjects, then i have ever had to do before (and bear in mind i got over 500 points last year in the LC without much work).

I guess what im saying is that it doesnt matter what school you're in, just study hard and know what you want. My problem last year was i didnt know what i wanted to do in college. You should be grand the first time around but if you do have to repeat, go to the institute.:D

theowen

I'm in the institute at the mo. Either two things will happen if you go. Either you won't need motivation (because nobody will set you aside if you fail a test) and then you won't study and possibly go off with the few hundred who bonk off every day. Or else you'lll study and A's it is. Seriously, think about it before you decide!.

dambarude

The main determinant of how you will do will be yourself. Other factors like teachers and your school environment will impact to a greater or lesser extent, but at the end of the day you still have study and do the exams. Nobody in the institute or any other grind school can do that for you.

shane_from_dub

Ricky_Bobby wrote: »

Don't repeat. or if you do do not go near laurences. am currently repeating there myself and it is the biggest waste of time. the teachers are useless (with the exception of 1 or 2) and they treat you like idiotic babies, i do not particularly like being 19 and still have to get permission slips and acknowledgement forms signed by my parents with the threat of "detention" hanging over my head if i dont. I have had to do more work at home on my own to simply get the courses covered as the teachers do not know what they are talking about for the majority of subjects, then i have ever had to do before (and bear in mind i got over 500 points last year in the LC without much work).

I dont know about that , im there too this year , and i think its worthwile ... Yes i also HATE being 19 and still have to get permission slips and acknowledgement forms signed by my parents with the threat of "detention" hanging over my head if i dont. But signatures are easly forged. And im looking good for 450-500 points Vs 365 last year. It is hard but ultimatly worthwhile

fauxshow

I have friends in the institute, some who went in fifth year and other who just went for 6th year or are repeating... basically from what I gather is that there are certainly a lot of pro's to going to the Institute but around grad time, when there's a win in sport, debating etc. they do have the whole ''I regret moving and wish I was still in a real school'' mindset and they've definitely drifted from friends and don't have as much craic. That doesn't go for everyone though, I know some other Institute people who are still in touch with everyone so I am generalising here! Going for fifth AND sixth year seems a bit limiting and saying goodbye to your schooldays a bit, so unless it's REALLY bad in your school maybe stick it out for fifth year and then move for sixth year? It would save you some expense also

fufureida

Lawliet wrote: »

That's true. A good school is a benefit of course but that's only going to get you so far. It's up to the person themselves to work.

Some people seem to think that you have to spend thousands on a school to get a good leaving cert, but most of the top feeder schools are non-feeing paying.

I disagree. Some schools are genuinely **** and only five people each year would get over 450 points. Take my school for example; the biology teacher spends most her time licking graduated cylinders and Reading the text book upside down. The history teacher as zero control of her class; she couldn't eve get people to buy exam papers.Bshes also 15 minutes late for every class. One of the maths teachers enjoys goin through entire chapters in 40 minutes and then wonders why only two people in her class get As and the rest fail. The geography teacher spends most her time chasing her own daughters aroun the school, has no control of the class, let's people talk on the phone in classand let's eveeryone get away with just about everything. She also hasn't finished the course yet AND is 20 minutes late for most classes. The vice principal is a power hungry lunatic who expelled a boy for wearing a hat yet dozens of girls get away with coming intoo school EVERY DAY wearing miniskirts and push up bras. Everytime she speaks she yells. She doesn't know how to respect anyone, she once yelled at me for god knows what and I pretty much yelled right back at her. I got suspended for refusing to go to the principals office; apparently sitting against the radiator and Reading a novel is a crime during lunch time! Oh, and my English teacher has done NOTHING with us all year. Litterly nothing. She gave us 4 essays and that was it. A boy in my school wasn't allowed to go home when he had a nose bleed and head aches. Turns out he has brain damage.
The study hall is a joke. It's a breeding ground for chavs and foreigners who love to talk reallyloudly in their mother tongues.


How can you possibly say that the quality of the school has nothing to Do with how well you do in your LC? Ofcourse it does. Teachers are very important and to say that 'it's all up to the student to do well in the end ' Is like saying that teachers may aswell not exist. Sure your own work is just as important but teachers are there to be a catalyst to your your study. They are suppose to effectively EXPLAIN what you need to study and how to study. They are there to SUPpORT you and GIVE you advice. THEY are the bones of your leaving cert! I completely disagree with the idea that the schools quality doesn't matter; ofcourse it does!!! To say otherwise is extremely stupid!

spurious

What you have posted is an account of a badly managed school, not a good or bad school. It does beg the question though, what are the parents of the students in the school doing about the situations you have said are happening? Nothing? Has anyone complained about this apparently widespread casual approach to things?

I can open a school tomorrow and guarantee every child in it will get over 500 points in the Leaving Certificate - it's easy to do. I would just restrict the intake to those who I know will get 500 points. Don't be naive and think this does not already happen.

The schools you mention where few people get over 450 points - do you think that is because the students there are less intelligent, or the teachers less effective? Could it have anything to do with the primary feeder schools, poor attendance, low educational/literacy level of parents?

Do you think rich people are smarter? If you pay to go to the Institute do you have a better chance of getting higher marks?

umph

Seriously going to the institute for 5th year is a waste of money. Wait and go for 6th year.

pervertedcoffee

I'm not sure (what I would consider) wasting money on 'grind' schools is a good idea- especially when college is so expensive. Sure good teachers can make all the difference. I gave up a subject I was quite good at because the teacher annoyed me so much and certainly having inspirational teachers helped in a lot of my other subjects. Conversely, I taught myself Japanese for the Leaving Cert. I got a B1 in honours. If you are determined and want something badly enough there's no reason you can't do it

fufureida

spurious wrote: »

What you have posted is an account of a badly managed school, not a good or bad school. It does beg the question though, what are the parents of the students in the school doing about the situations you have said are happening? Nothing? Has anyone complained about this apparently widespread casual approach to things?

I can open a school tomorrow and guarantee every child in it will get over 500 points in the Leaving Certificate - it's easy to do. I would just restrict the intake to those who I know will get 500 points. Don't be naive and think this does not already happen.

The schools you mention where few people get over 450 points - do you think that is because the students there are less intelligent, or the teachers less effective? Could it have anything to do with the primary feeder schools, poor attendance, low educational/literacy level of parents?

Do you think rich people are smarter? If you pay to go to the Institute do you have a better chance of getting higher marks?

tge parents association in my school is a pile of BS. I find that people don't for one thing, speak to there parents. Parents also tend to think things must be fine at school. Lol, if you don't believe me come to Shannon and see tge state of both secondary schools. Ofcourse a rich school doesn't mean high grades he'll no.. But good teachers who teach the course well, engage with the students and know how to do there jobs right will definately aid students towards a better LC. It's only common sense.

EVERYONE has potential to do well in school. They just need the right push and motivation; sadly tge teachers in my school aren't like that, bar 3! I know people who come in every day yet still fail exams. Why? Because we do pretty much NOTHING in school... French and maths are tge only productive classes. Believe me... Been in the school for 6-7 years... I know what it's like.

implausible

fufureida wrote: »

tge parents association in my school is a pile of BS. I find that people don't for one thing, speak to there parents. Parents also tend to think things must be fine at school.

EVERYONE has potential to do well in school. They just need the right push and motivation; sadly tge teachers in my school aren't like that, bar 3!

The problems you've listed here are to do with the parents and students. Do you seriously think that any teacher can compensate for lack of parental support or student motivation?

shizle

fufureida wrote: »

The vice principal is a power hungry lunatic who expelled a boy for wearing a hat
To say otherwise is extremely stupid!

:rolleyes: Somehow I highly doubt that. There are a huge amount of legal and administrative barriers to expelling any student, a problem many schools are experiencing at the moment, as they can't expel students who are incredibly disruptive.

If you are going to exaggerate for effect, at least have the sense not to berate others for being 'stupid'

fufureida

deemark wrote: »

The problems you've listed here are to do with the parents and students. Do you seriously think that any teacher can compensate for lack of parental support or student motivation?

Obviously you didnt read my first post on the matter. Whatever. I think it's pretty stupid to think the quality of the school and teaching staff doesn't effect your grades. It's insultive, actually, to teachers who actually care and try their best with every student. And yeah, teachers can greatly effect your motivation in school. There are plenty of teachers who tell students ' why are you here go home!!! ' and ' why do you bother coming in?' Serously, don't bother telling me a teacher can't motivate and discourage you...

Anyway since teachers are pointless...

Wahey! Let's all stay at home and learn our subjects on our own so that we can get As! Teachers? Pfffft, who needs teachers!!!

Chuchoter

Even though we're kind of away from the point I agree with fufureida, sure why have teachers and schools at all if they have no bearing on your results? Sure I'll just stay at home in my pajamas and read the books.

spurious

crayolastereo wrote: »

Even though we're kind of away from the point I agree with fufureida, sure why have teachers and schools at all if they have no bearing on your results? Sure I'll just stay at home in my pajamas and read the books.

If you have access to some specialist equipment and are literate and motivated, why not?
People do.

School is more than just results and tuition, but if you are in a position to teach yourself, you could. It's not unheard of in Ireland.

fufureida

spurious wrote: »

If you have access to some specialist equipment and are literate and motivated, why not?
People do.

School is more than just results and tuition, but if you are in a position to teach yourself, you could. It's not unheard of in Ireland.

My BS sense is tingling... Define ' specialist equipment '? A computer? Seriously your post made me laugh.

Maybe it's high time I should consider tge persons question. I think you should try your best for 5th year. If it doesn't work out, switch schools/insitutes. Afterall it's your LC... You would want to give it the best chance you can.

spurious

fufureida wrote: »

My BS sense is tingling... Define ' specialist equipment '? A computer? Seriously your post made me laugh.

I meant science equipment to do your own experiments, but glad it made you laugh.

How do you think people who left school early in years gone by educated themselves? Libraries, that's how.

It's not all about getting points. Some people want to know things to not feel ignorant later in life in discussions of history, current affairs, scientific developments etc.

Today's LC is not education, not by a long shot.

Again, any literate, motivated person could teach themselves to get high points in the LC, especially today's LC. Where they do it isn't important. Change schools OP, if you want.

implausible

fufureida wrote: »

Obviously you didnt read my first post on the matter. Whatever. I think it's pretty stupid to think the quality of the school and teaching staff doesn't effect your grades. It's insultive, actually, to teachers who actually care and try their best with every student. And yeah, teachers can greatly effect your motivation in school. There are plenty of teachers who tell students ' why are you here go home!!! ' and ' why do you bother coming in?' Serously, don't bother telling me a teacher can't motivate and discourage you...

Anyway since teachers are pointless...

Actually, your post is quite "insultive" as it implies that I don't care about my students.

If you read my post again, you will see that the point I was making is that a teacher cannot cancel out dire student motivation or absolute lack of support for that student at home. Why on earth would I make the point that teachers are pointless? I would be talking myself out of a job and be questioning why on earth I get up in the morning!:rolleyes:

This is typical of the 'babysitting' attitude that is prevalent nowadays. Parents seem to think that by sending their child to school, they've done their job. The teacher's job is to motivate the student who comes from a family where no-one completed secondary school to become a doctor, bring that student's ability from a D to an A, teach them basic manners, force them to do all of their homework, provide them with a place to study, stop them from getting a part-time job......:rolleyes: You get the picture

If you go through life thinking that it is up to somebody else to motivate you and waiting for that to happen, you'll never succeed.

rainbowtrout

deemark wrote: »

Actually, your post is quite "insultive" as it implies that I don't care about my students.

If you read my post again, you will see that the point I was making is that a teacher cannot cancel out dire student motivation or absolute lack of support for that student at home. Why on earth would I make the point that teachers are pointless? I would be talking myself out of a job and be questioning why on earth I get up in the morning!:rolleyes:

This is typical of the 'babysitting' attitude that is prevalent nowadays. Parents seem to think that by sending their child to school, they've done their job. The teacher's job is to motivate the student who comes from a family where no-one completed secondary school to become a doctor, bring that student's ability from a D to an A, teach them basic manners, force them to do all of their homework, provide them with a place to study, stop them from getting a part-time job......:rolleyes: You get the picture

If you go through life thinking that it is up to somebody else to motivate you and waiting for that to happen, you'll never succeed.

Yep, I'd agree. I met a parent at a parent teacher meeting a couple of years ago. Her son's attendance was poor and as a result his grades were not great . He was a bright student and would have gotten on fine with a push. When I challenged her on his attendance her response was 'Well, what am I supposed to do? He won't get out of bed in the morning.' I had to restrain myself from telling her to throw a bucket of water over him if needs be. She also asked me why I didn't make him do his homework when I questioned her about him studying at home. I thought the clue was in the word homework. She thought it was somehow my responsibility to ensure he got his homework done.

00ALXANDRA00

umph wrote: »

Seriously going to the institute for 5th year is a waste of money. Wait and go for 6th year.

Disagree!

5th year has definitly made sixth year much easier for me. Instead of doing minimal work in 5th in my old school and loads in sixth in the tute, my studying has been spread out of 2 years. My friends who didnt do fifth in the institute have much more work to do than me and are far more stressed. For example, I did around 75% of the chem course last year and my friend estimates she did 10%.

Also, I found 5th year to be VERY much like normal school. Detention, some teachers yell if you dont have homework etc. We went ice skating at x-mas at the RDS, sent each other valentines day cards that were put in a box and then stuck up all over the hallways, took year photos... There IS a balance between work and play. Some classes are small: my maths had 15, irish 30, accounting 15 approx.... 2 of my english classes had about 80, the other 2, 25.

It's really easy to make new friends in 5th compared to sixth. 5th= friendly. 6th= less friendly. All the students from 5th remained friends in 6th, even if they didnt have many classes with each other.I got to know the teachers and they got to know us over the 2 years. It was sad saying goodbye. They actually understand the life of a LC student and are always willing to help you. That certainly set them apart from teachers in my old school. Contrary to popular belief, you can ask them questions during class, they welcome them in fact. The institute has been my favourite school by far and i cant think of anyone else who says otherwise.

I dont think you will regret going to the institute for 5th and 6th if you choose to do so.