The Best Things About Finishing Your Leaving Cert

By now, most of you will be finished your exams, and will be out running around in the sunshine. And I sympathise with those of you who are still in the middle of it, as I was one of the few who had to wait until the last day. But hopefully you can see the light at the end of the tunnel at this stage, and this article will help you see that it will be all worth while. Here are some of the best things about finishing the Leaving Cert.

Lie ins

In the weeks leading up to your exams you obviously had to go to school, and then during the weekends your Mam probably insisted that you get up early to study, kicking you out of the bed if she had to. And then the exams themselves start at half 9 every day, so by the time your finished you can't remember what a lie in feels like. But don't worry, that just makes the first one after you're finished all the sweeter.

Watching TV Guilt Free

All of us spend way more time in front of the TV during exam season than we should, and this trend continues into college. But you can never fully enjoy it, because there's always that nagging feeling that you should be studying. But once they're over, that feeling goes away, and you can watch 15 episodes of Game of Thrones in a row, at 1am, completely and utterly guilt free.

Being Able To Do Stuff During The Day

Other than studying of course. Being able to make plans with your friends again is a great feeling, with no study plans or grinds to worry about.

Being Able To Do Nothing During The Day

Just as it is enjoyable to do things during the day when your finished, it is equally enjoyable doing absolutely nothing as well. Sitting or lying down and being able to switch off your brain, which for the last month was full of stupid quotes from stupid Shakespeare plays and stupid methods for solving stupid maths equations, is one of the most satisfying things you can do after finishing your leaving cert.

Nights Out

Going out and drinking was never really on the cards during the exams, because you couldn't really afford to lose any days being hungover. But now, you can drink to your heart's content. As long as you're drinking responsibly of course.

Burning All Of Your Books

Okay this might not be the greatest idea in the world because your younger brother or sister might need some of them, and you might be able to sell some second hand. Plus it's probably more environmentally friendly to just recycle the ones you don't need. But don't worry, whatever way you do decide to get rid of them, just the fact that they are gone from your room and you never have to look at them again is all the satisfaction you need.

Throwing Out All Of Your Notes

Unlike your school books, you can do nothing with your study notes other than throw them out. If they are anything like mine were, then they're too messy for anyone else to read anyway. One thing you do realise when you do this is how many trees were cut down just to help you pass your leaving cert.

Having The Freedom To Go Outside

The reason you can't leave the house during the day is because everyone else is inside pretending to study, like you. But once your free, make sure to go outside. Go to the beach, play football, climb a tree, whatever. Just have your fingers crossed that the leaving cert weather holds up for at least another couple of weeks.

Watching The World Cup In Peace

I was lucky enough to have my leaving cert during one of the summers when there was no International football tournament on. It is not quite as bad having exams the year that the European Championships are on, but having to study for a Construction Studies exam when Brazil play Croatia in the opening game of a World Cup just doesn't seem right somehow.

Being Able To See Your Friends Again (Outside School)

During the exams, the only socialising you do is in the exam hall before the exam when you're all trying to guess what's on the paper, and then after the exam walking home when you're all freaking out because none of the stuff that you guessed beforehand came up. Not talking about exams is almost as good as not doing exams.

Getting Ready For Your Holidays

Leaving cert holidays have become a bit of a tradition over the last few years. For some people, it's the only thing that gets them through the exams. So then when your finally finished, you get to go out and enjoy buying new clothes and bags and whatever else you need before you go. But don't worry if you're not going on a holiday. There's plenty of stuff to do in Ireland this summer, just as much fun as any holiday to Magaluf or Santa Ponsa.