My Reflection on Irish Leaving Certificate Exam: Pressure, Hope, and Strive

🎓 TODAY: First day of the Leaving Cert in Ireland — the exam that marks the end of school and the start of university dreams.Today, Imad sits for English Paper 1, a subject he finds challenging. And rightly so. Language takes time, and there are no shortcuts — something I’ve reminded my children right from their early schooling years.As a parent, I’ve seen how tough this exam is. Our two eldest went through it in 2023. Many Irish friends recall those years with stress, not joy. The pressure is real — six or more subjects, all for points to enter university.It often feels less about learning and more about mastering the ‘points game’. Medicine at Trinity? 700+ points. Psychology elsewhere? Maybe 400–500. The focus understandably shifts from deep learning to survival strategy.To Imad and every student out there — take care of your mind, health, and heart. Exams matter, but you matter more.#LeavingCert2025 #ParentPerspective #IrishEducation #ExamsAndWellbeing #ADHDParenting #EducationWithHeart #pendidikanjalanislah