We hope you’ve had a nice summer break and enjoyed yourself – whether that was having some holidays away, taking part in a summer camp or simply just having a great couple of months doing whatever you wanted! As we move through August, going back to school is on the Horizon and secondary students will be starting the school year in the next couple of weeks. If you’re heading into 6th year you’ve probably been thinking about this being your final year in secondary school and what lies ahead. To help you along the way we give you some pointers on two of the most important things ahead of you this year as we focus on Getting Ready for 6th Year.
Getting Ready for 6th Year
There are two main things that are important for you this year – study & your next step
Your next step
For many 6th year students the Leaving Cert is a step towards further education – and there are many options open to everyone ranging from a post Leaving Certificate course to going to college.
PLC
If you would like to develop vocational and technological skills to get a job or to go into further education and training, the Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) course may be the one you are looking for.
Most PLC courses are delivered by Education and Training Boards (ETBs)
From September 2022, there will be no participant contribution fee for the Post Leaving Certificate.
College
If you are thinking about going on to college when you finish their Leaving Cert, there are hundreds of courses to choose from all over Ireland. Over the next year you’ll need to carefully consider all of your options and familiarise yourself with the CAO, which processes applications for undergraduate courses in Irish Higher Education Institutions. If you are interested in applying for higher education it’s always a good idea to apply early and read the online CAO handbook before making an application.
This year the Central Applications Office (CAO) website will also include Further Education and Apprenticeship options for school leavers.
If you need financial help/grants to go to college, you can look at your options with a SUSI grant, which is Ireland’s national awarding authority for all higher and further education grants. You can also look into access schemes such as HEAR or DARE.
Maybe you are thinking of studying abroad, If so you can explore your Education in countries outside Ireland options
Apprenticeships
If you’re not sure about taking a course, but you would like to gain some new skills, you could consider an apprenticeship. An apprenticeship is a dual programme that combines learning in an education and training institution and with work-based learning in a company. Apprentices ‘earn while they learn’ – they have an employment contract and are paid a salary for the duration of their apprenticeship training.
Study
Start early
It’s important to start your work early – this final year will fly by!! and to best prepare yourself for the Leaving Cert next summer you should start revising last year’s material.
This is a good time to create a study plan if you don’t have one in place already that works for you. It can lay out when you can do homework, do study, do exam practice or do revision. Keeping a study plan means you can keep control of the time you are giving to which subject you study, what topic you study, what revision you are doing and what past paper questions you want to tackle.
Study plan
A study plan will provide you with an organised approach to your studies and enable you to work more efficiently and achieve greater results.
qualifax.ie recommend that Sixth year students should be organising 3.5hrs-5hrs study per day. Don’t wait to get your study into gear. Start from Day 1 back at school and you’ll be so better prepared for the exams that lie ahead. Think of it as taking control of your time and being fully prepared for the Leaving Cert.
Support
Remember everyone is there to support you – if you need help planning or organising your study plan, reach out to your teachers or guidance counselors at school or your parents at home. You are never alone and everyone is always happy to help you be the best you can be.
You got this!
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