How I’m preparing for Leaving Cert 2022: “I’m finding it hard to learn, so I found a way”

Erica Visocchi (17) is a sixth year student at Kishoge Community College in Lucan, Co. Dublin.

He plans to study home economics and biology at the Atlantic Technological University, Sligo.

Here, Erica says, her primary approach to learning is to write down the information on a given topic from memory, and then make notes of what she couldn’t remember.

“It’s very difficult for me to study, especially when the teachers still have homework at this time of year,” she says. “Especially when you have (homework) due the next day but you still want to study something that day – but then don’t have enough time because you have homework. It’s hard to juggle both.

“But really, I just find that trying to write down everything I can remember about an issue seems to help. After that, I look at what I missed, read it again, and do it again.”

Erica sees the Leaving Cert as a sort of unaffordable “memory test.” She believes this prevents some students from pursuing careers they would be suitable for.

She adds: “The Leaving Cert is pretty much a memory test because it’s not that I don’t understand what we’re learning. I understand very well, but the only problem is that not everyone has a great memory.

“My friends feel the same way – they just think it’s a memory test and not really fair to the CAO system [and] try to get the points.

“You could have someone who doesn’t score as many points but has great personal skills who would be capable of being a nurse.

“Or like for me, for example. I want to teach home economics and biology, but for some reason my ability in math or geography is hampering my chances of teaching the two subjects I’m good at.

“I need 532 points for Home Economics and Biology. If I were still in higher math I would be afraid of it, but I think I’ll get by with the ordinary paper because it won’t count towards my points. I think Irish is going to be difficult.”