My Take on the Leaving Certificate: Real Tips from a Recent Graduate

Rima F. (Japan)
Jun 11
3 min read

Finishing Strong: My Final Exam Day

On 24 June, I completed my final Leaving Certificate exam. The feelings were mixed - relief, exhaustion, pride. It’s hard to describe the emotion of walking out of the last exam hall knowing it’s all over. I began serious preparation in late April, and the journey taught me much more than just academic content. I learned how to manage stress, plan efficiently, and build resilience.

Lessons I Learned Along the Way

The Leaving Certificate is a marathon, not a sprint. Here's my honest take on what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d do differently - hoping to help any future LC students navigate it a little easier.

General Study Strategies That Worked

Start Early

Don’t wait for panic mode. I started in early May, but even earlier could have eased the pressure.

Be Consistent

Cramming doesn’t cut it. I made a topic checklist and only ticked items off once I fully understood them. It helped track progress clearly.

Use a Whiteboard

It saved paper, simplified planning, and made it easy to visualise my schedule and make changes as needed.

Past Paper Practice

This is non-negotiable - especially for English and Maths. It helps you understand how questions are asked and what’s expected.

Take Breaks

It’s a long exam season. Short, regular breaks kept me from burning out and made my study sessions more effective.

Creating a Productive Study Environment

Focusing can be hard, so I studied in the boarding school’s study hall alongside other sixth years. Even if you don’t have that kind of space, a café or library can be great for creating a study atmosphere. Routines matter.

Subject-by-Subject Breakdown

English: Structure, Timing & Practice

Paper 1: Focus on tone and timing. Do full compositions under exam conditions.
Paper 2: Learn your quotes and tailor responses to the question. Don’t neglect the unseen poem - practice makes a difference.

Maths: Past Papers and Problem-Solving

Use past papers constantly.
YouTube is amazing for explaining difficult concepts - it saved me more than once.

Physics: Definitions, Graphs & Experiments

Quizlet was key for learning definitions.
Review past experiment questions; they’re often repetitive.
Know how to draw graphs and describe procedures clearly.

Computer Science: Code, Logic, and Confidence

Learn the terms and how systems function.
Be confident with number systems - binary, decimal, and hexadecimal.
Section C is tricky for beginners. Practice helps, and know how to use your reference sheet effectively.

Art: Themes, Media & Mind Maps

The written exam is only 30%, so don’t stress too much.
For the Renaissance, group it into early, high, northern, and mannerism.
Post-1960s art is all about issues and themes - mind maps helped me a lot.

Politics and Society: Theory Meets Reality

Understand the key thinkers and their ideas.
Keep up with current events - they enhance DBQ answers.
Revisit your class essays for reusable quotes and stats.
Know the structure of the Irish government - it often pops up in short questions.

Japanese: Tips for Native Speakers

As it’s my first language, I didn’t need to revise the basics.

For aural sections, jot down keywords quickly and read the questions beforehand.
Always double-check your answers in the exam.

Reflections and Final Thoughts on the LC Journey

The Leaving Cert is undeniably intense, but with structure, support, and a steady pace, it’s manageable. What I’ll remember most is not just the content, but the balance I had to find between study and self-care.

I highly recommend Computer Science - I learned so much starting from scratch in fifth year. Politics and Society is also a standout - it connects to real-world issues and broadens your understanding of global and local systems.

A special thanks to my HSI guardian who checked in throughout the entire process and my friends who were there every step of the way. I couldn’t have done it without that support.