#ClassicalStudies - #LC2017 - Sarah Ní Chonghaile

#LC2017 #ClassicalStudiesSarah Ní Chonghaile - Ratoath CollegeHonestly, I was delighted with this paper as the sculpture and painting questions were very straight forward. I did the two Aeneid questions as I could spend all day criticising Aeneas- abandoning your girlfriend hmmm I smell a rat! I liked the Alexander the Great question about his relationships with women as I'd prepared that last month! The Oedipus question was very nice as well as it required me to use my critical thinking skills quite a bit! It was a very nice paper overall and I'm hoping that a good grade comes out of it!Check out more exam blogs here: http://issu.ie/the-issu-…/issu-exam-blogs-leaving-cert-2017/#StateExams2017

Irish - #LC2017 - Art O'Mahony

  #LC2017 #IrishArt O'Mahony - St Patrick's Secondary School CastleislandI absolutely littered the aural paper with aiste phrases as soon as I got it at 9.25, for fear I would forget them by the end! The anticipation of writing the 100 marker made me neglect the cluastuiscint slightly but it was actually lovely. Bar one or two questions and many a few spelling mistakes I think I scored fairly well. I thought to dialect was clearer than normal, especially the Kerry Irish which is always lovely!I tore into the aiste from there. I was hoping to do 'Breatimeach' but was a little thrown when I saw it in the Díospóireacht section. Instead I tackled Foréigean which allowed me to use most of what I had learned. I brought in The Troubles, terrorism and a few others things and overall was quite happy with it.Here's hoping paper two is as nice!#StateExams2017

English - #JC2017 - Diego Brule

Diego Brule - Colaiste Einde Salthill GalwayWant me to be honest? I can say I almost didn't prepare for English, solely because our teachers simply didn't know what would come up(we're the first generation to sit the reformed English JC) but hey, it actually didn't go bad. (And if it did I can always use the excuse that it's not my first language)Exam starts, I open the paper. I immediately read 'fantastic beasts'. My heart jumps and happiness floods me as I'm sure I can answer anything about one of my favourite movies. (Sorry I didn't read the book) But under fantastic beasts were small letters: 'fantastic beasts and the people who love them'.. what? To say the least, I was disappointed. But as I finished this question, I turned the page and an actual Harry Potter Fantastic Beasts question was there, so naturally, I was happy again.You can see that I went through a rollercoaster of emotions in just under 30 minutes, not bad right? Well, there's more.Next was Poetry. I started hating myself. Why did I not go over all those quotes, I ask myself, and the funny thing is, I kind of knew the quotes, but not having them learned off word by word pissed me off. I skipped this section, only to find that next question was drama, and I was even less prepared for that.I say a prayer(not kidding) before skipping and seeing what awaits in the last question and- aha! we had to make up a TV dialogue between a teenager and an adult, confronting, obviously because we teenagers aren't capable of rational thought. (rolling my eyes hard at that one)And so I have a bit of fun making up this dialogue and then I notice there's half an hour left. I panic as I went back to poetry and drama to answer the best I can, and before I know it the time's up. But oh well, a roller coaster isn't fun without the up and downs, I still enjoyed that test, even though it was the one I had fewer hopes for.

 #JC2017 #StateExams #ISSU17 

Well done on your results!

PRESS RELEASE 13/08/2014

Well done on your results!

Irish Second-Level Students’ Union sends best wishes to class of 2014

The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union would like to take this opportunity to congratulate all examination candidates upon receiving their Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied results today.Speaking today, the ISSU President, Craig Mc Hugh said;"Regardless of what results lie in that envelope, remember all the dedication and hard work you put in, and that is what really counts.  The assessment methods in the Leaving Cert may not be tailored or suited to your best skill set, and if you are left in any way disappointed by your results, there are many ways into nearly every career path and now you can take your first steps.  I would like to congratulate everyone who sat the examinations; making through the final exam in school is in itself a major achievement and shows diligence and perseverance.  Be sure to take the opportunity to celebrate your five or six years of hard work."ISSU Education Officer, Joanna Siewierska added;“I would like to wish all students receiving their Leaving Cert results the very best of luck and I hope that all students are happy with how they get on. This can be a very stressful time but remember that this is just an exam and not the end of the world. For all of those worried about the results and their next steps please use the free phone helpline; 1800 265 165, which will be operated by guidance councillors for students and parents.”The ISSU urges students to use the National Parents’ Council post-primary (NPCpp) exam helpline (1800265165) to seek independent advice from qualified guidance counsellors if you are unsure of your options over the upcoming days.The ISSU is currently surveying students who have completed their Leaving Cert about their experience of the exams.  Students can complete ‘Leaving the Leaving Cert’ on issu.ie. *****************ENDS *****************Contact:Craig Mc Hugh, President: 086 270 8434, craig@issu.ieJoanna Siewierska, Education Officer: 085 702 7706, joanna@issu.ieISSU Office: 01-4434461, info@issu.ie Notes to Editor:The Irish Second-Level Students' Union is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to representing and connecting Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. See www.issu.ie

Safter Internet Day 2013 Video Guidelines

Remember when we came up with these statements? 

Cyberbullying won’t go away if we do nothing about it.What are you waiting for? Are you going to wait around for more sadness or another tragedy before doing something about it?It’s up to us to make a stand and say we not going to do nothing while someone else gets hurt.

 Well now it’s time to walk the talk by recording your own message on the topic and sharing it. Do this with your friends, your enemies, your family, or your class. The more we get the better. Don’t worry about producing something worthy of Speilberg. Hearing your voice is the most important thing. It doesn’t matter if you use a using a webcam, tablet, laptop, camera or phone; use whatever you have to record a statement. Then go to the “Get Involved” page on watchyourspace.ie and post a link to your content or email it to us at internetsafety@pdst.ie As Safer Internet Day is getting close, we’d really appreciate it if you guys could get us some videos as soon as you can – maybe by the middle of next week. You’ve been unbelievable so far – and your ideas have contributed to what we think is one of the best SID campaigns around - but we need a final push to make sure that #SID2013 is one to remember. If you are looking for a few pointers: 

Shorter is better than longer – try to keep it to less than 90 seconds.Keep it simple: imagine you are talking to a friend. Don’t use complex words where simple ones will do. Be yourselfIt is an idea to put together a script or at least give yourself a few pointers on what you are going to say.We’ll try to include all the videos on the site. So don’t be disappointed if it’s not on there straight away, we’ll add it at some stage.We will also share it on our social media channels, so don’t send us anything unless you are happy for us to share it widely.

 Ideas for what to say:As you know, this year’s campaign is centred on encouraging bystanders to intervene positively in online bullying situations. Under the banner of Watch Your Space, with the call to action of “It’s Up To Us” #Up2Us. In your piece, you can use anecdotes of situations you are aware of where online bullying has been resolved positively and where bystanders have had a role. However, be sure that people are not identifiable, and try not to be too personal. Below are some of the key tips for the campaign which we will be promoting. It’s advisable to use these when you are coming up with your script. You should be creative too, come up with your own twist on these and try to steer clear of using these word for word as it will lend credibility to the message. Don’t forget that your audience will be your peers and people younger than you. We want to encourage everyone to connect with respect and change their attitudes to online bullying. You are not speaking to victims or to bullies, but to the majority of people who can bring about a new attitude and atmosphere where online bullying does not succeed. And remember to finish off your piece strongly. For example, you can use the campaign call to action: “It’s Up To Us”. The idea is, is that you encourage others to do the same and to pledge their support for the campaign. Tips for witnesses to online bullying: Bullying or Banter? Without body language and facial expressions, it’s often hard to know the difference. What might be intended as a bit of banter can often cause offence and vice-versa.  As a rule, if you see something on screen that you think might cause someone to lose confidence, get upset, angry or fearful, it’s likely that you are witnessing cyberbullying. Just Ask: Asking for help requires strength. If you see someone who is isolated or having a hard time, you can make a difference by directing them to the  reputable organisations out there who provide advice and support. Check out WatchYourSpace.ie for a whole host of useful links to groups like Aware, Bodywhys, Childline, SpunOut, Headsup.ie, BeLong, the Samartians and more. Report incidents: Whether it’s online, at home, or in school, it’s your responsibility to report bullying incidents when you see them. You might not always be able to fix it, but you can always do the right thing – and that means reporting. First off, you can report to websites like Twitter and Facebook. They take these reports seriously, remove anything abusive and even cancel accounts when warnings are ignored. Remember, they never reveal the identity of the person making the report. It doesn’t stop there. Most schools and clubs have ways for you to report incidents, find out what they are and use them when you need to. Serious cases, where someone is at risk of harm, should be reported to the Gardaí. Tell an adult: Talking to someone you trust is usually the first step in dealing with any issue. If a friend confides in you, encourage them to tell and adult they can trust such as a Parent or Teacher. Research has shown that it almost always takes an adult to stop bullying. Share your Know-how? Check out WatchYourSpace.ie for video tutorials on how to take screengrabs (settings a skill which will help you make a record of cyberbullying behaviour), report incidents to popular websites, and how to configure your privacy. Once you’ve become an expert, show someone else how to do it. Dislike: Young people have found themselves in trouble for simply liking, sharing, or commenting on content on Facebook, Tumblr or for following and retweeting messages from a fake Twitter accounts. Don’t put up with bullying; leave, unlike and unfollow it. Do IT Yourself. Bullying won’t go away if we do nothing! But it can if you do something. It’s up to us to shape the spaces that we spend our time in. Let’s make them positive and friendly.  Often the more people who see something happen, the less likely each individual is to do something about it. Don’t leave it up to someone else to make a difference. Be Counted: A lot of bullying online is anonymous and this can make it especially difficult to deal with. Imagine how it feels to go into school when everyone you meet could be the person harassing you. It’s easy to withdraw from friends and be suspicious of everyone. If you know someone in this situation, reach out to them and tell them that you are on their side. Do it Now. Online bullying can escalate very quickly; people experiencing it can be completely overwhelmed by it. Sometimes just one message of support is enough to change the tide. Your offer of support can be the light at the end of the tunnel. What are you waiting for? Be a Hero not a Martyr. You can make a big difference without putting yourself at risk. It’s very admirable to stand up to bullying but directly confronting someone who is being aggressive or hurtful is not always the best way to go about it. Who’s the Bully? Bullying is never right and you shouldn’t ever accept it. But don’t cross the line and bully the bully. It’s ok to point out that cyberbullying should stop, but it’s not ok to start sending abusive message to the bully. Put yourself in the shoes of a victim of online bullying. Imagine how it would feel to face constant online harassment and abuse alone.  Now imagine what it would be like to have your peers support you. Be a hero, not a martyr. Fueling the fire of bullying by taking part in bullying will just make the problem worse. You can be assertive and positive and it always works best. ‘Nuff said. 

The Final Countdown

The Final Countdown has begun to the commencement of the State Certificate Examinations 2010 - Junior Certificate, Leaving Certificate, and Leaving Certificate Applied. The examination hall is the final stage of your two/three years of studying. Good preparation will mean that you are going into the exams well prepared and well equipped to give your best performance on the day.Time until exams begin:[fergcorp_cdt_single date="June 8th 2011, 9.30 am"]What should you be doing?* Make an exam plan and revision timetable* Check the exam format for each subject again* List possible questions based on suggestions from your teachers or past papers* Write a one-page summary of key points for each major topic in each subject* Look after yourself — take regular breaks, gentle exercise, eat well and sleep!* A certain level of stress is healthy and helps you perform, but ask for support when you need itAt this stage, good planning is essential.Approach your revision in an organised, systematic way. You will cover more ground, and you will feel you are making progress. You will feel more in control, especially if you are able to tick off topics that you have covered as you cover them. This in turn increases your confidence and encourages you to keep working, and so helps you to keep your motivation and effort high. Use the system of rewards for revision topics covered to keep your enthusiasm high.

• Past exam papers

Exam papers are excellent preparation because they give you a template (a working example) of what you can expect. Use them to see the kinds of questions that are likely to set, how to approach structuring your answers, and how to time yourself when answering questions.Course or topic summaries

• Write out a summary for each course or topic.

Keep it to A4 size if you can. This is time and effort very well spent, as it will show you the main areas you know, and more importantly, those you need to know, and which you need to work on.

• Notes Copies

Use your past notes and summaries to go over main points. Skim texts, always looking to draw information out rather than stuff it into your brain. Exams are about retrieving information quickly and efficiently from your brain. Aim to train yourself to improve at this.

• Outline answers

Prepare basic or "skeleton" answers. Use summarising techniques here, and by condensing learning you will be able to access it more easily in a real situation. Practise writing under exam type conditions, even if you only write out the outline of what you would cover. This will get you used to writing under pressure.

• Practice the exam format

Make sure you know, and that you are comfortable with, the layout of the papers. Each subject will have different sections, choices of questions, compulsory questions, and questions that attract different marks. This information is provided at the beginning of the past exam papers/books which you buy in the bookshop. Use these as a guide for the exam structure and outline: they're excellent.

Final Preperations

It is natural to be afraid of the unknown. Knowing what is ahead of you in an examination takes away much of the fear.Have the exam format well thought out beforehand. Know how best to use time during the exam: how to plan your answers, and how to answer the question you have been asked.Exams are about what you understand more than what you remember. It is your chance to show just how well you can cope with a stressful situation and still give your best performance. It is not just what you know but how you use it that counts on the day.A certain level of stress is healthy. It gears you up for the "big performance". Ensure you keep your stress levels healthy so that they work for you rather than against you on the day.Arrive at the examination hall a few minutes early. Do not bring a stock of books. You can bring a few notes/flash cards to glance over as a last-minute measure.Have bottled water, but avoid chewy (noisy) sweets and chewing gum. Some people find it useful to have chocolate in your pencil case. It is ok to eat during an exam (just don't have a picnic) - you will get your self in trouble if you disturb other exam candidates. It is helpful to have something quick to eat in the short break before your Aural exam (tape).When you are handed your paper, attend to the routine details first. Fill in all the examination paper details correctly. Steady yourself.Read the question carefully. Read it again. Read it thoroughly. Circle the verbs. Check exactly what you are being asked to do, not what you want to do.Never panic, even if at first the question seems alien. It will be linked with something you have covered in your coursework. It is your job to find the link.Choose your questions and stick to your choice. The reason for this is that your brain will continue to work on other questions while you plan the first one. Resist temptation to switch to another question, particularly if you have already started one. This is only a panic response. Ignore it and continue.Plan your answer before you start. If points or ideas for your other choice question come up, you can write them on a separate page. Never, ever rush into writing - planning is time well spent.Do your best question first. This will get the "flow" going and give you confidence. Once you have completed your first (best) question, it might be useful to plan your other questions. If you are pressed for time later on, you will not have to rush your thinking: your plan will be there for you.Check weighting. Spend the time on questions that will bring you higher marks, not on questions that have fewer marks. Managing your time in an exam is crucial to getting you the best advantage.Pacing and timing (rather than speed) in an exam are very important. Have a clear idea of how you will use your time - even before you start. Good preparation is the key.Show the starting point and the various stages in any calculation so that the examiner can follow what you are doing. This way, even if you make a small mathematical slip and end up with the wrong answer, you can still score almost full marks (only one mark is deducted for an arithmetical slip). If you do not show the starting point and the various stages, and end up with a wrong answer, you score no points.Avoid going for what appears to be an easy option, for example, choosing the "B" or more personal/creative option in the comprehension section of the English paper. Any creative or personal response needs to be as well planned and organised as the more formal type questions.You have 2 - 3 weeks of examinations. Do not burn out half-way through. Preserve your energies. Keep your best for the examination hall.Write clearly. NO post mortems. They will only fill you with dread or complacency. Neither is useful. Reward yourself afterwards .Study past marking schemes. It is crucially important that you know what each subject examiner is looking for, always remembering to answer what you’re asked and to think before you ink. At this stage, you are fine tuning what you already know with a little cramming on the side. A quick glance over Chief Examiners Reports are also helpful – these give you an insight into where students fell down in previous years, be wise and don’t let the same one’s happen to you. www.examinations.ieNew for 2010 - Due to the leaking of last year's HL LC English Paper 2, this year exam question papers will be handed to exam candidates FRONT PAGE FACE UP, where before they were face down. The intention here is to give you time to check the subject before the exam begins. Don't turn the page, until told to do so.  http://bit.ly/bkLhCrPrepare for your next exam. Good luck. You have worked hard to deserve it!Time until exams end aka. COMPLETE FREEDOM (when exams offically end):[fergcorp_cdt_single date="June 24th 2011, 4.00 pm"][pro-player width='530' height='253' autostart='true' type='video']http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssWYnRlW_CM[/pro-player]

Finally, Best of Luck from the ISSU Team