Repeat leaving cert after university

Student117

Hi everyone,

So as my topic states I am a first year Arts (Law + English) university student in Maynooth. I had some really big dilemmas with my course, as I really don't like the subject I do. I have looked at career prospects and done a very huge research in terms of law. I have read about a dozen of articles and blogs of solicitors, office workers with law degrees, and the overall picture made me very, very anxious. I remember reading a topic where a man was warning everyone who shows signs of disliking law or a course in university, should drop out and do something different rather than sticking on. I understand, that this time is not to be wasted on something a) I have no passion in, b) poor career prospects and c) I really don't want to be stuck in the office for my whole life.
I understand that I can do so many things with law, and pursue a masters in a non relevant area but...
I feel guilty for doing really bad in school, getting only 350 points in my leaving cert because I studied very poorly, didn't have proper revision, and only began preparing for leaving about two months before it.

I had serious episodes of strong panick attacks during university, and I guess the same issue keeps me up at 5 o'clock in the middle of the night. I understand that my mental condition had prevented me from achieving my full potential in the leaving cert. I also know that I can do and achieve much better grades once fully concentrated in my studies and giving the school full dedication.

There is really not much that can be asked on this forum, but I am afraid that I need some general assistance and maybe some cheer ups for my current situation, and I will appreciate any comments regarding my case.

I have joined many social activities in university, and do not struggle in terms of friends or not fitting in. So far, I have met two lovely guys who are supporting me during my mental break downs, and without their support, I would have drowned in my head completely. I also became involved with a few law clubs, and now manage a student journal on my own.
I feel that my poor academic interest in what I study, really decreases my positive experience in university. I am afraid that I have failed some of my January exams.I have talked to a counsellor, and the woman strongly advised me to quit.

My main concerns are linked with me blaming myself and my past mistakes, wasting 2 years of my life.

I am turning 20 in March, and if I repeat the leaving next year again, I will be 21 when enrolling into a new course. I understand that you are still a baby at 21/22, but I will be 25 when finishing a four year course, 26 if a course lasts for five years, which makes me at least two years older than your average undergraduate student. I feel very bad as I will depend on my parents. They are amazing people, and I love them so much and they deserve a much better and hardworking daughter.

I am aiming to achieve 500 points (at least) if I repeat. I would appreciate if someone with the same experience like mine, could tell me, how realistic is to improve by around 150 points? I will study 12 hours a day every day, completely isolate myself from all distractions, and take proper care of my mental health, well, 12 hours of study is quite extreme, but what I am trying to say, is that I will work very, very, very, very hard. I was also hoping to get a better idea as to what I want to do with my life, and be more wise when filling out a cao next time. Christ, have you ever met anyone who repeated LC after a year in university?

I thank everyone who has read it this far without getting bored. I wish that I actually was a different person: my forever existential dilemmas, kant's philosophy, the desire to contribute and mental health had made me who I am. Warning: never ever read Schopenhauer or touch philosophy if you have a fragile teenage undeveloped mind.

spurious

People repeat all or part of the Leaving all the time. Nothing unusual about it.

Student117

spurious wrote: »

People repeat all or part of the Leaving all the time. Nothing unusual about it.

Thank you. I see you almost in every student related threat, thank you for the help you're doing.

randylonghorn

spurious wrote: »

People repeat all or part of the Leaving all the time. Nothing unusual about it.

Very true.

You may want to think about a few other things too though.

If law is not for you (and it certainly isn't for everyone) you may want to think about what you do really want to do. Don't worry so much about a specific job or course just yet; focus more on identifying an area. What kind of area would you like to work in? ... do you enjoy helping people, do you enjoy working with numbers, are you a good writer, are you a very organised admin type, are computers your cup of tea, etc. etc. Do you prefer to work in a team or are you a "give me a task and leave me alone to get on with it" type of person?

Take some time to think about what kind of work you would like to end up in, and it will help to clarify what course you might aim for.

The other thing which you may need to focus on is tackling the kind of issues which you describe in your post as standing in your way; whether repeating your LC, or starting a new college course, or entering employment, these are likely to crop up again unless you face them head-on. You mention that you have spoken to a counsellor in college, which is a great first step; it might be worth meeting with her again to help you map out a plan to tackle the issues which you feel are holding you back.

Student117

randylonghorn wrote: »

Very true.

You may want to think about a few other things too though.

If law is not for you (and it certainly isn't for everyone) you may want to think about what you do really want to do. Don't worry so much about a specific job or course just yet; focus more on identifying an area. What kind of area would you like to work in? ... do you enjoy helping people, do you enjoy working with numbers, are you a good writer, are you a very organised admin type, are computers your cup of tea, etc. etc. Do you prefer to work in a team or are you a "give me a task and leave me alone to get on with it" type of person?

Take some time to think about what kind of work you would like to end up in, and it will help to clarify what course you might aim for.

The other thing which you may need to focus on is tackling the kind of issues which you describe in your post as standing in your way; whether repeating your LC, or starting a new college course, or entering employment, these are likely to crop up again unless you face them head-on. You mention that you have spoken to a counsellor in college, which is a great first step; it might be worth meeting with her again to help you map out a plan to tackle the issues which you feel are holding you back.

Hello, thank you for your reply. I can see that there is a huge journey that I have to face in the next few years. Finding the right course, and repeating the leaving while being so much older than everyone else. Definetely not entering employment, as I want to get a good education.

spurious

There are LC colleges that specialise in adults. You would be most unlikely to be the oldest in a class in one of them.

wakka12

Student117 wrote: »

Hi everyone,

So as my topic states I am a first year Arts (Law + English) university student in Maynooth. I had some really big dilemmas with my course, as I really don't like the subject I do. I have looked at career prospects and done a very huge research in terms of law. I have read about a dozen of articles and blogs of solicitors, office workers with law degrees, and the overall picture made me very, very anxious. I remember reading a topic where a man was warning everyone who shows signs of disliking law or a course in university, should drop out and do something different rather than sticking on. I understand, that this time is not to be wasted on something a) I have no passion in, b) poor career prospects and c) I really don't want to be stuck in the office for my whole life.
I understand that I can do so many things with law, and pursue a masters in a non relevant area but...
I feel guilty for doing really bad in school, getting only 350 points in my leaving cert because I studied very poorly, didn't have proper revision, and only began preparing for leaving about two months before it.

I had serious episodes of strong panick attacks during university, and I guess the same issue keeps me up at 5 o'clock in the middle of the night. I understand that my mental condition had prevented me from achieving my full potential in the leaving cert. I also know that I can do and achieve much better grades once fully concentrated in my studies and giving the school full dedication.

There is really not much that can be asked on this forum, but I am afraid that I need some general assistance and maybe some cheer ups for my current situation, and I will appreciate any comments regarding my case.

I have joined many social activities in university, and do not struggle in terms of friends or not fitting in. So far, I have met two lovely guys who are supporting me during my mental break downs, and without their support, I would have drowned in my head completely. I also became involved with a few law clubs, and now manage a student journal on my own.
I feel that my poor academic interest in what I study, really decreases my positive experience in university. I am afraid that I have failed some of my January exams.I have talked to a counsellor, and the woman strongly advised me to quit.

My main concerns are linked with me blaming myself and my past mistakes, wasting 2 years of my life.

I am turning 20 in March, and if I repeat the leaving next year again, I will be 21 when enrolling into a new course. I understand that you are still a baby at 21/22, but I will be 25 when finishing a four year course, 26 if a course lasts for five years, which makes me at least two years older than your average undergraduate student. I feel very bad as I will depend on my parents. They are amazing people, and I love them so much and they deserve a much better and hardworking daughter.

I am aiming to achieve 500 points (at least) if I repeat. I would appreciate if someone with the same experience like mine, could tell me, how realistic is to improve by around 150 points? I will study 12 hours a day every day, completely isolate myself from all distractions, and take proper care of my mental health, well, 12 hours of study is quite extreme, but what I am trying to say, is that I will work very, very, very, very hard. I was also hoping to get a better idea as to what I want to do with my life, and be more wise when filling out a cao next time. Christ, have you ever met anyone who repeated LC after a year in university?

I thank everyone who has read it this far without getting bored. I wish that I actually was a different person: my forever existential dilemmas, kant's philosophy, the desire to contribute and mental health had made me who I am. Warning: never ever read Schopenhauer or touch philosophy if you have a fragile teenage undeveloped mind.

Yes I have met two people who did a year in a uni course they hated and then repeated the LC. They are both now enjoying their new course, so its worth it. Also that mindset is counterproductive. You wont study for 12 or even 8 hours per day, you cant do that and shouldn't either. Its unhealthy and unrealistic. Listen in classes, take good notes, listen to teachers advice, do all your homework to best of your ability, and do 2-3 hours extra study every night from september gradually increasing it as you go throughout the year.
You'll definitely reach 500 points by doing this imo.
But again, I cannot stress how counter productive that mind set is! If you go hell for leather in september youll burn yourself out and kill your enthusiasm by the time when it needs to count.

Student117

spurious wrote: »

There are LC colleges that specialise in adults. You would be most unlikely to be the oldest in a class in one of them.

I'm turning 20 in March, so 20 when enrolling to repeat the leaving. 21 graduating ( can't belive I lost two years due to being a cry indecisive idiot)

wakka12

Student117 wrote: »

I'm turning 20 in March, so 20 when enrolling to repeat the leaving. 21 graduating ( can't belive I lost two years due to being a cry indecisive idiot)

I don't get why you keep fixating on these 2 'lost' years? They're not lost years. They are 2 years that made you who you were and built your character. Surely you made friends during those two years? Met new people? Did some fun things? learnt some new things? No year of your life is wasted, just maybe not used the way you had wanted it to be. Besides, youll be a more life experienced person when you enter the workforce when the time arrives!

PREG1967

wakka12 wrote: »

I don't get why you keep fixating on these 2 'lost' years? They're not lost years. They are 2 years that made you who you were and built your character. Surely you made friends during those two years? Met new people? Did some fun things? learnt some new things? No year of your life is wasted, just maybe not used the way you had wanted it to be. Besides, youll be a more life experienced person when you enter the workforce when the time arrives!

I too started but didnt finish a degree course- dropped out after year 1 felt i lost that year and subsequent ones that i speny figuring out my future path and that feeling of loss spurned me onto greater and bigger achievements in my life-the power of negative thinking is underestimated imo and has its uses

Student117

wakka12 wrote: »

I don't get why you keep fixating on these 2 'lost' years? They're not lost years. They are 2 years that made you who you were and built your character. Surely you made friends during those two years? Met new people? Did some fun things? learnt some new things? No year of your life is wasted, just maybe not used the way you had wanted it to be. Besides, youll be a more life experienced person when you enter the workforce when the time arrives!

I guess I'm just a little insecure about my age since the common age starting university is 18-19, and I'll be 21, turning 22. So, the people I know will be in third year of university, and I'll be just starting.
I know it all doesn't matter. I'm very good at fixing other people's heads, but when it comes to myself, I'm very weak.
Thank you anyway. Sure, I made loads of good friends and met thousands of new people, despite my weird character, people still talk to me. Hah

Student117

PREG1967 wrote: »

I too started but didnt finish a degree course- dropped out after year 1 felt i lost that year and subsequent ones that i speny figuring out my future path and that feeling of loss spurned me onto greater and bigger achievements in my life-the power of negative thinking is underestimated imo and has its uses

Thank you, your words cheered me up

tracey turnblad

I worked in a college, don't it about your age... I had grandparents and all in with me. I'm just wondering why your focusing on repeating the leaving? Is there a different course you want to do with higher points? Have you really thought about it? Is the course you want to do available in your current college could you sit in on one or two lecturers?

mel.b

Do you have to go back and repeat the LC? Can you apply for entry next yr into your preferred course as a 'mature/alternative entry' student based in your results this yr?

That is what i did when i realised the course i was doing wasn't for me(albeit this wasn't in Ireland) however i agree with the other poster who said you need to spend time first working out what you want to do and how you want to work longterm as well as looking after your mental health, rather than being fixated on going back to do the LC just to achieve a certain number of points.