Leaving Cert Applied - Week 1 Reflections with Shreyar

The first week of my Leaving Certificate Applied exams has been a mix of challenges, surprises and relief.

My exams began with English and Communication and Social Education. Going into the first day, I was nervous, but I think that's something most students experience. Once I sat down and opened the papers, I tried to focus on one question at a time rather than worrying about the overall pressure of the exams.

English and Communication was probably the most challenging exam of the week for me. The questions required a lot of critical thinking, and I found myself having to carefully analyse what was being asked before answering. It wasn't simply about remembering information. I had to think through my responses and apply what I had learned throughout the year.

Social Education felt more manageable. By the time I sat that exam, some of my nerves had settled and I felt more comfortable. It helped me regain some confidence after finding English and Communication more difficult than expected.

The next day, I sat Spanish, which turned out to be a pleasant surprise. I found it much easier than I expected and felt comfortable throughout the exam. Walking out afterwards, I felt relieved and more positive. It was a good reminder that every exam is different and that one challenging paper doesn't mean the rest of the week will be the same.

The final exam of the week was Mathematical Applications. This was probably the biggest surprise for me. I found parts of the paper difficult to make sense of, and there were questions that left me confused. Even though I had prepared, I found myself spending a lot of time trying to understand exactly what was being asked. It was frustrating at times, but I kept working through the paper and did my best to answer every question I could.

Looking back on the week as a whole, I have learned that exams are about more than just preparation. They also test your ability to stay calm, adapt and keep going when a paper doesn't go the way you expected. Some exams felt easier than others, and some challenged me more than I had anticipated, but I am proud that I stayed focused throughout the week.

Now that Week 1 is complete, I feel relieved to have the first set of exams behind me. While there have been ups and downs, I have gained confidence from the experience and I am ready to focus on the exams that still lie ahead.