From Leaving CertiFiCate to Leaving SChooL a Longitudinal Study ...

Academic Stress and the Leaving Certificate 83
The Junior Cert is very relaxed…
This is really serious … nothing goes on your Junior Cert, well if
you leave it might but if you’re going all the way, it doesn’t really.
(Dawson Street, coed school, mixed intake)
Many of the student felt it was unfair that their entire senior cycle could
be measured by just one week or even one day:
One week and that’s everything that could end up changing your life.
(Harris Street, girls’ school, middle-class intake)
I feel like your whole life is determined on just one week like it’s a
bit, a bit of pressure. (Wattle Street, boys’ school, mixed intake)
Other students from Dawson Street and Lang Street stressed the importance
of the Leaving Certificate in terms of their life chances:
Because you’re whole life depends on it.
Yeah.
Your future, if you don’t do your Leaving you don’t have anything.
(Dawson Street, coed school, mixed intake)
It’s the biggest exam you’ll ever do in your life.
They [teachers] said it’s the hardest one as well. (Lang Street, coed
school, working-class intake)
Students felt that the results of the Leaving Certificate are important for
the rest of their lives, not just for the immediate post-school period:
But it is important because like whatever job you are going to do,
whether you are 40, you’ll still need it if you are going for a job like.
You still always need to show your results. (Barrack Street, girls’
school, working-class intake)
Many students reported feeling nervous about the approaching exams
and being ‘hopefully’ ready for them when they arrive. Some had even
greater concerns and were dreading the exams, feeling panicked and hav-