Leaving Cert prep

Having two sons well and truly through the Leaving Cert it's now time to try and prepare the youngest kiddo for such. June 2016 seems a lifetime away now in November but alas it will be upon us before we can say 'Big Maggie'!
And yes, Keane's masterpiece 'Big Maggie' is indeed one of the texts he is studying for the forthcoming exams. With seven subjects alongside LCVP to prepare and revise it's quite a daunting concept thinking that these exams really can determine your future.
When kiddo no. 1 was preparing for the Leaving Cert I was nagging day in, day out, to get the books out and get revising. I would consistently repeat, 'these are the most important exams you will ever do'. And I still stand by the fact that these probably are the most important exams they will ever do: but I'm a tad more relaxed now with no. 3!
I'm not relaxed in that I don't want to encourage him to work well and do his best but more so in that I've realised these exams are not the 'be all and end all'. I've watched parents sending their 10 year old children to 'grinds' over the past year in preparation for the 'transfer test' in Northern Ireland. I watched the same children redo and redo past exam papers. These kids are just 10 years of age. Personally I view this as cruelty. And here I am just nagging the 17 year old to read over notes!
I place huge emphasis on my boys getting a good education. The main requirement always has been that they 'have' to do the Leaving Cert. I had dreams that they would then choose to take the college route and acquire a third level qualification - to which boys 1 and 2 have done.
Now as the youngest kiddo prepares for Leaving Cert and plans to further his education after such, I can smile with the knowledge that they will each have that little thing called an education to help carry them through life.
Having that said education is no guarantee to success or fortune, but it will be of huge benefit in so many areas in life. It instils a level of self-confidence and self-belief in themselves. It teaches them life and social skills for the future. It teaches them that they have a 'voice'. And going to college does of course teach them to fend for themselves (well maybe not!!).
So as the onslaught of the forthcoming Leaving Cert fast approaches and the stress kicks in, I must keep reminding myself that this is not the 'be all and end all'. It is just another step forward in the boys life. When he decides to turn on the playstation and convince me it's his 'time out', I must remember to respect that 'time out'. And then when June arrives, I'm going to trust that the kiddo will indeed do the best that he can do. I don't expect him to do the best that someone else can do. He isn't someone else, He's just himself. And whatever the outcome I know I'll be proud. Leaving Cert 2016 we're ready. Come and get us!

GMcC