Steady and strong: final-term tips for Leaving Cert 2025

By Betty McLaughlin, guidance counsellor

The Leaving Cert class of 2025 return to school this week for a short final term in secondary school. With just over five weeks to the start of the Leaving Cert on Wednesday June the 4, it is important that exam students make the best use of time at this stage and strike the right balance between revision, exam preparation and self-care.

The year of the Leaving Certificate is often compared to a marathon, so pacing yourself at this stage is essential so that you conserve some energy for the exams themselves. It can be tempting to try to pack in as many hours as possible of study in the final weeks as you grapple with the feeling that you don’t have enough done. Push those thoughts to one side and be sensible in your approach. Just like a long distance runner, if you exert yourself, you will have a lot less energy to perform well in the exams.

It is normal to have a mix of emotions crop up for you in the final term – stress, anxiety, overwhelm, exhaustion, loneliness or indeed relief and excitement about finishing school and moving on to the next stage. Go with the various feelings as they come up and talk to family, friends and those who are there to support you in school.

Plan, prioritise, prepare and practise

Approach this final term strategically by planning effectively and prioritising what is important at this stage. Stay focused on the key things you need to prepare for each subject and practice lots of exam questions.

• Plan ahead for each week. Prepare a list of exactly what you are going to revise for the week and draw up a daily priority list. At the end of each day tick off what you have achieved and plan for the next day.

• Review your mock exam papers and marking schemes. Prioritise the areas that need attention and fill in the gaps in your learning.

• At this stage it is essential that you practise lots of exam questions. Make sure you are clear on the layout of the paper in each subject, the breakdown of marks for each section and the time allocation for each question. When you are completing full exam questions, practise against the clock.

• Do your best to switch off all distractions, particularly notifications on the phone and social media, so you can concentrate fully and to maximise the use of your time.

Keep study sessions short and focused

Study sessions work best in short, intense bursts at this stage, just like a high intensity internal training (HIIT) session. Keep revision sessions to 45 minutes and take quick breaks to get up and move around regularly. Prepare glance notes and mind maps, which will be really helpful in the days leading up to the exams. Always finish revision sessions by looking at an exam question on the topic. Using a break down as follows might help:

Survey the key headings, sub-headings, key points, diagrams, tables, maps etc (5 mins)

Read the important information carefully, take brief notes if it helps but don’t overdo it. Concentrate on learning the content. (20 mins)

Recall what you can by brainstorming what you can remember on a blank sheet of paper (5 mins)

Review what you are unsure about and have a look at an exam question on the topic to see how confident you would be to attempt it. Then check out the solution and marking scheme. (15 mins)

Self-care is essential at this stage

Above all else, you need to take care of yourself in the lead-up to the exams. Self-care is key at this stage. There can be a tendency to neglect the activities that are good for your wellbeing and mental preparation at this stage. It you are feel under pressure for time, simply modify the routine for self-care but don’t neglect it completely.

• Eat well, stay hydrated. Avoid too many caffeinated drinks.

• Get plenty fresh air and exercise, these are essential for concentration, managing stress and boosting your endorphins, the feel good hormones transmitted during exercise.

• Don’t study too late, you need good quality sleep and rest to keep up your stamina in the run-up to and during the exams.

• Always factor in time to do whatever relaxes you after study – take the dog for a walk, listen to music, watch Netflix/YouTube for a short while. You know what works best for you. But take care with screen time, it is important to reduce your digital intake, particularly before bedtime, you need time to slow your mind down in order the get quality sleep.

• Do some meditation/mindfulness – taking time to bring yourself back into the present moment is hugely helpful for reducing stress and improving concentration. Breathing exercises are also a great technique to help with overwhelm in the run-up to and during the exams, so practising them now gives you a great resource for stress management during the exams and for other stressful situations in life.

• Keep things in perspective. The Leaving Cert attracts a lot of media attention every year, try to keep that hype at a distance and focus on own staying on track with your own exam preparation.

This year has been tough and tiring but you are almost there now so keep it going through the final term. Remember that whatever happens in the exams, you have lots of options and pathways open to you.

There is life after the Leaving Cert, full of opportunities, possibilities and fun. Keep that in mind on the more difficult days and try to look forward to the exciting time that lies ahead.