What It's Like Preparing for the Leaving Cert as an Exchange Student in Ireland

When I first arrived, I knew the academic system would be different, but I wasn’t prepared for how intense and structured the Leaving Cert in Ireland would be. Now, with less than a month to go before the exams begin, it feels like my entire world revolves around revision, past papers, and trying to make sure I don’t burn out. I'm taking eight subjects for the Leaving Cert: English, Maths, Business, DCG (Design and Communication Graphics), Physics, Biology, Home Economics, and Spanish. It’s a lot to juggle, and each subject has its own challenges, quirks, and surprises.

English

English has probably been one of the most difficult subjects for me. While I’m confident in speaking and understanding the language, the level of analysis required for poetry, comparative studies, and the single text is really intense. I’ve had to push myself to write faster, more clearly, and with deeper insight. What I do enjoy, though, is the creativity involved in composing essays and personal writing. The biggest struggle is timing – 2 hours and 50 minutes is not a lot when you have three big exam sections to get through.

Maths

Maths is hit-or-miss for me. Some topics, like algebra or sequences, I enjoy because they’re logical and satisfying when you get them right. Others, like geometry or probability, feel overwhelming. I’ve found the structure of Paper 1 and Paper 2 helpful, especially because you get a good mix of questions. Practice is everything here. I spend hours working through past papers, and I still get tripped up sometimes. Still, there’s something comforting about the black-and-white nature of maths – you’re either right or wrong.

Business

Business has been one of my favourite subjects. I love learning how companies work, understanding management styles, and seeing how real-world events can be explained by business concepts. The theory is heavy, but if you make good notes and actually connect the topics to everyday life, it sticks better. The case study element is quite helpful because you can prepare for it, but you also have to be ready to apply your knowledge in unpredictable ways.

DCG (Design and Communication Graphics)

DCG has been an interesting journey. I had never done technical drawing before coming to Ireland, so learning how to use SolidWorks and draw projection diagrams was completely new. The project is a big part of the grade, and it took hours and hours of work. The challenge was learning how to manage my time and avoid small mistakes that could lose marks. I liked the creativity involved, but it can be mentally draining when things don’t line up correctly after all your effort.

Physics

Physics is another tough one. There’s so much theory and detail to remember, and the experiments can be tricky. Sometimes I find the math part manageable, but other times it feels like the questions are written in a completely different language. What keeps me going is the logical nature of it – when

I understand a topic, it all makes sense. But getting to that point requires so much revision and repetition.

Biology

Biology is easier to follow than physics, but there’s just so much content. Diagrams, definitions, cycles, and systems – it’s like trying to memorise an entire encyclopedia. The good thing is, the questions on the exam are usually pretty straightforward if you’ve done enough practice. I enjoy learning about the human body and genetics, but ecology and plant biology are harder for me to connect with. Still, I feel like this is one subject where hard work really pays off.

Home Economics

Home Ec has been a nice balance between theory and practicality. I enjoy the nutrition side of it the most, and learning about food science has made me think differently about my diet and daily life. The project was a lot of work, though – researching, writing, and making sure it was perfect. That took months. But it’s worth 20% of the final grade, so the effort matters. The social studies section is harder to engage with, but overall, it’s a subject I’ve grown to appreciate.

Spanish

Spanish is my strongest subject, probably because it's my first language. The exams are manageable – listening, reading, writing, and oral. I did well in the oral, which is a big part of the grade. What I find interesting is how the course focuses on both grammar and cultural understanding. It's one of the few subjects where I feel confident, and I’m grateful for that.

Approaching the Leaving Cert in Ireland

Right now, the Leaving Cert exams are definitely my main focus – I’m waking up early to revise, fitting in past papers whenever I can, and using flashcards to stay sharp. It’s a lot, and there are moments where it feels overwhelming and tiring. But I still make time for small things that keep me grounded, like going for walks, chatting with friends, or just taking breaks when I need them. That balance helps me stay motivated and avoid burnout. Being an exchange student means I’ve had to adapt to a completely new education system, a different language approach, and a unique exam culture – all while being away from home. It hasn’t always been easy, but I’m proud of the progress I’ve made. With less than a month to go, I’m focused, a bit nervous, but optimistic. No matter how the exams go in June, I know this experience has already made me more confident and capable.