Can you get 625points in your leaving cert if you didn't work for your Junior cert?

Seanf999

AtomicKoala wrote: »

Do not do it for status. It's pathetic how many parents I know who have tried to shoehorn their children into Medicine just so they can say that their child is a doctor.

Dear god that sounded bad I meant 'that others wouldn't dream of doing'
The status and prestige are simply perks not reason to go in, it shouldn't even be an after thought.

professore

Seanf999 wrote: »

I've tried, I spent everyday since first year look at alternatives, I looked through everything I talked to college professors, principals , doctors , nurses
You name it!
And I kept arrivig back at medicine, I've always known that whatever I do I want to be the best, I want to be top teir no second place.
I actually like the competitiveness (granted I get in) I like the idea of long hours and a stressful job, it sounds completely dilusional but honestly it's part reason why I decided on medicine.
I want a time consuming job a job that others would dream of, the money's nice but not a vocal point.

Well then you should be busting your ass NOW catching up so you can hit the ground running in 5th year. And there's a lot of BS around medicine - there are plenty of fields that are just as hard or harder and plenty that pay more too.

rainbowtrout

Seanf999 wrote: »

I've tried, I spent everyday since first year look at alternatives, I looked through everything I talked to college professors, principals , doctors , nurses
You name it!
And I kept arrivig back at medicine, I've always known that whatever I do I want to be the best, I want to be top teir no second place.
I actually like the competitiveness (granted I get in) I like the idea of long hours and a stressful job, it sounds completely dilusional but honestly it's part reason why I decided on medicine.
I want a time consuming job a job that others would dream of, the money's nice but not a vocal point.

It sounds like you see medicine as a status thing. Do it because you want to help people, not because you want others to be envious of your job.

Honestly, I'm just back off school tour with my Leaving Certs. I spent about 2 days sleeping after it, even though I got sleep every night on tour. I can't imagine what it is like for a junior doctor doing a 36 hour shift and making important decisions on people's health and medical treatment without sleep.

Seanf999

rainbowtrout wrote: »

It sounds like you see medicine as a status thing. Do it because you want to help people, not because you want others to be envious of your job.

Honestly, I'm just back off school tour with my Leaving Certs. I spent about 2 days sleeping after it, even though I got sleep every night on tour. I can't imagine what it is like for a junior doctor doing a 36 hour shift and making important decisions on people's health and medical treatment without sleep.

I'm sorry if it came off that way but that's not what I meant by it, I want a job notorious for being hard for the sole reason that I want to be challenged, I want to improve quality of life and save those I can , I have never had a better feeling than the feeling I get when I help someone, status is not the reason I'm going into medicine I mean if I care for status I could get a job in a hedgefund and be top dog in a few years as my aunty is high up in that field..

xLisaBx

The leaving cert isn't as difficult as the public and media lead us to believe. Anything is possible with a big work ethic, and definitely don't rule out repeating. Look into study abroad options too, and postgraduate medicine. Study each night in 5th year as if the leaving is beginning the following morning and you will do incredibly. Other variables, such as natural aptitude, can influence one's potential to get high points. But the thing that holds people back the most is doubt. Stop asking online forums if your dream is possible- this shows you are doubting yourself. You need to believe 100percent that you are going to be a doctor. And even if the leaving doesn't go well, look into other ways into the profession.

Ka_yl_ei_gh

xLisaBx wrote: »

The leaving cert isn't as difficult as the public and media lead us to believe. Anything is possible with a big work ethic, and definitely don't rule out repeating. Look into study abroad options too, and postgraduate medicine. Study each night in 5th year as if the leaving is beginning the following morning and you will do incredibly. Other variables, such as natural aptitude, can influence one's potential to get high points. But the thing that holds people back the most is doubt. Stop asking online forums if your dream is possible- this shows you are doubting yourself. You need to believe 100percent that you are going to be a doctor. And even if the leaving doesn't go well, look into other ways into the profession.

Leaving Cert isn't too difficult, but the HPAT is.

xLisaBx

Ka_yl_ei_gh wrote: »

Leaving Cert isn't too difficult, but the HPAT is.

Very true, but with practice people tend to score ok in it. Effort seems to be somewhat related to result

AtomicKoala

xLisaBx wrote: »

Very true, but with practice people tend to score ok in it. Effort seems to be somewhat related to result

The problem is that one needs 80th percentile and up.

One can only improve so much, with all due respect, I'd doubt someone who did 4 OL subjects for the JC would have the necessary mental agility for it, but you never know I suppose!

xLisaBx

AtomicKoala wrote: »

The problem is that one needs 80th percentile and up.

One can only improve so much, with all due respect, I'd doubt someone who did 4 OL subjects for the JC would have the necessary mental agility for it, but you never know I suppose!

They could though, if no effort whatsoever was put in at JC. Depends on the person. Forgetting about the hpat, if OP looked into studying in Malta or Italy they wouldn't have to worry about aptitude tests

Ka_yl_ei_gh

AtomicKoala wrote: »

The problem is that one needs 80th percentile and up.

One can only improve so much, with all due respect, I'd doubt someone who did 4 OL subjects for the JC would have the necessary mental agility for it, but you never know I suppose!

Getting in the 80th percentile and up is really difficult, like I know a girl who went for the HPAT and was in the 54th percentile, I'd always though she was smarter and more capable than me.

xLisaBx

Ka_yl_ei_gh wrote: »

Getting in the 80th percentile and up is really difficult, like I know a girl who went for the HPAT and was in the 54th percentile, I'd always though she was smarter and more capable than me.

people tend to go way up when they repeat though

Microphone Head

xLisaBx wrote: »

The leaving cert isn't as difficult as the public and media lead us to believe. Anything is possible with a big work ethic, and definitely don't rule out repeating. Look into study abroad options too, and postgraduate medicine. Study each night in 5th year as if the leaving is beginning the following morning and you will do incredibly. Other variables, such as natural aptitude, can influence one's potential to get high points. But the thing that holds people back the most is doubt. Stop asking online forums if your dream is possible- this shows you are doubting yourself. You need to believe 100percent that you are going to be a doctor. And even if the leaving doesn't go well, look into other ways into the profession.

The leaving is quite difficult especially when you want 550+ and scoring ok in the hpat is really not good enough to get medicine which I have sadly realised .

It's going difficult no matter how hard you try. It seems to me that you have made your mind up already so stop asking people what you can and can't do. Only you know that.

Ka_yl_ei_gh

xLisaBx wrote: »

people tend to go way up when they repeat though

.

Seanf999

xLisaBx wrote: »

They could though, if no effort whatsoever was put in at JC. Depends on the person. Forgetting about the hpat, if OP looked into studying in Malta or Italy they wouldn't have to worry about aptitude tests

Honestly I didn't try, as I saint was in with a bad crowd and at the end of it all it was ultimately my own fault and could be my down fall, but that's if I stick with my old habits, I know I am capable of much much more but I'm questioning getting 550+ , I shouldn't be but than again I'm better off getting some clarification on my worries ,which I have got!
It seems to me that getting into medicine will be no easy task, but it will be managable , if I am willing to work, and for the record I will do what it takes.
Thank you all for answering and helping me!

Days 298

Seanf999 wrote: »

I've tried, I spent everyday since first year look at alternatives, I looked through everything I talked to college professors, principals , doctors , nurses
You name it!
And I kept arrivig back at medicine, I've always known that whatever I do I want to be the best, I want to be top teir no second place.
I actually like the competitiveness (granted I get in) I like the idea of long hours and a stressful job, it sounds completely dilusional but honestly it's part reason why I decided on medicine.
I want a time consuming job a job that others would dream of, the money's nice but not a vocal point.

Surely a little alarm bell went off when you dropped down to pass in alot of subjects in the JC and the top students didnt?

spurious

Remember in many subjects, almost 70% do the HL paper, so you put yourself in the bottom 30% at JC and want to get to the top 8% or so at LC? It's a big ask.

I can't believe if you have such potential that your teachers were not screaming blue murder at you dropping to OL. I never let any of my classes do OL for Junior and some of them would have been taking Foundation Level in other subjects.

jlm29

Maybe you should do third year again, get yourself up to HL standard before going to 5th year. Or get grinds over the summer to get you up to the standard. But it's true. You'll burn out if you try do too much

Seanf999

spurious wrote: »

Remember in many subjects, almost 70% do the HL paper, so you put yourself in the bottom 30% at JC and want to get to the top 8% or so at LC? It's a big ask.

I can't believe if you have such potential that your teachers were not screaming blue murder at you dropping to OL. I never let any of my classes do OL for Junior and some of them would have been taking Foundation Level in other subjects.

Oh believe me they were, I just came up with excuses...

spurious wrote: »

Remember in many subjects, almost 70% do the HL paper, so you put yourself in the bottom 30% at JC and want to get to the top 8% or so at LC? It's a big ask.

I can't believe if you have such potential that your teachers were not screaming blue murder at you dropping to OL. I never let any of my classes do OL for Junior and some of them would have been taking Foundation Level in other subjects.

Yes I realise it's a huge ask but it's what I need to do and I will do as much as I possibly can do to get the results I want and need.

Part the reason I dropped down aswell is becaue in 2nd year I spent 8 months on crutches with a dislocated knee, and I went from Galway to Dublin about 16/17 times on average per month + to the physio and specialists .. This is also part the reason I want to become a doctor,

It still is a case that I didn't care but i did miss a lot of school..

Just Like Heaven

I wouldn't worry about the statistics of it OP, yes statistically few who do a rake of OL subjects for their junior cert go onto score 500+ in their leaving cert but I suspect in most cases it's because they never change their attitude towards studying/school work etc. Not because they're completely incapable/it's impossible, a lot can be achieved if you work hard for the two full years. I don't wanna sound like it's gonna be easy though either, maybe honours Maths will be too difficult in the end etc. I just don't think it's impossible to still come out with a strong leaving cert.

Dally

With the right attitude and determination, anything is possible. If you succeed, it'll make a great story

I wish you luck with it.

starlit

To be honest you are better off starting a routine of study in 5th year as you will be studying the same stuff in 6th year but in greater depth such as class tests are easier in 5th year as the teacher set them or could be from a previous exam paper but get harder in 6th year as they are usually from previous exam papers. I think it be better to get a better grounding and understanding in 5th year makes it easier in 6th year but start bit by bit. Even to study 5-10 hours at the weekend might suit you better and do a bit each day during the week 2-4 hours a day could be of benefit but I would tie in the study with the homework if you work at the homework its half the battle. If you do a bit each day you be surprised how much you get done and have a day where you go back what you learnt from the week!?

I would advise getting grinds for Maths its a great help regardless of level you do.

The most points you can get is 360 if you do all pass level subjects unless you do LCVP add more points but the most you could achieve is nearer to 400. I did 4 passes, 3 honours and the LCVP the max I could have gotten would been 490! So you would need to choose wisely which subjects to do honours and pass in and you are likely need to do more honours than pass subjects if you looking to achieve 500+ You points. You could get away with one or two pass subjects probably but the most you get is 60 for an A1 I think.

Take on board your teachers advice but if you are a good student and work hard and put a bit of effort you never know what you could achieve now if you are lagging behind you be amazed grinds can really keep you on track if you stuck with any particular subject. I would also advise to do subjects you like, enjoy, are good at and not just cause its an easy 'A' but sometimes you may need to decide on a subject to get you over the line so the speak if it means getting an A1 or A2 at honours level. Home Ec and Geography are subjects that you can learn easily and reproduce in the exam but its knowing where you can get the marks. Any subject with graphs and diagrams have them well done, sloppy diagrams you get docked marks I learnt that doing Geography for honours LC for the mocks.

Not necessarily you might not do well in some subjects in JC but my experience I did better in ordinary maths in the LC than the JC! I did pass in Home Ec and Business for JC and did honours for LC and did well in the subjects. I did better in my honours Geography in LC than JC so its possible to do better in the leaving cert than junior cert despite my balance of results were similar for both just that my grades varied between subjects for both exams such as did better in Maths and English in LC, did better in English than Maths in JC and did better in Maths for LC than JC you catch my drift.

The right attitude, motivation nd determination to try is the best you can do. Try not to set the bar up too high but my advice is go for option subjects you like, good at and that might be useful in the future but yes the science subjects be very important for Medicine. You probably need to do at least two, not sure if you get away with one science subject. Is there a career guidance counselor at your school who could help you? Another thing is to ask current 6th years or recent 5th/6th year students if you know of any of them having done those years they be a great help to advise you. Even if you don't like the teacher its the subject that counts! Don't choose a subject based on the teacher choose it cause of the subject! If you wanted you could do a subject in the nearest private college if you wanted but that be adding to your stress.

Best of luck with it!

randylonghorn

Um, not sure why we need two threads to discuss this, I've just caught up on this one / realised it's the same person!

I'll leave the other one open, but tbh Sean, you've got a lot of very useful responses in both threads, but in the end, it's entirely in YOUR hands!

Beir bua!