Making the most of your Christmas break

Substance misuse expert, Sinead Carey, joins the Leaving Cert Guidance podcast to help students stay safe this Christmas.  What do students who are going out this Christmas need to know so they can keep themselves safe, the 5 As that parents should do when their child is out, the best website for information and how schools can assist students also.Don't forget to follow @leavingcertguidance on Instagram and TikTok.

Over the next few weeks there are important upcoming deadline dates.  Many students will take the opportunity over the Christmas break to prepare for these deadlines.Donnchadh explains to us what deadlines are fast approaching and what students need to do to get ready for these.From applying to the CAO, UK, Europe, HPAT and even a course in America, Donnchadh has you covered.Don't forget to follow us @leavingcertguidance on Instagram and TikTok.

Roisin O'Donohoe is back with Donnchadh this week, this time to discuss the HEAR and DARE application processes and what students need to know and some tips and advice for the application.Don't forget to follow @leavingcertguidance on Instagram and TikTok

Donnchadh is joined by Ava Rose Gallagher, a 4th year Commerce International student in UCC who talks about her Erasmus experience.  Ava Rose talks about:The process of applying to ErasmusApplying for the Erasmus grantHow the Erasmus process worksHer experience in GermanyHow she settled inWhat her Erasmus has taught herAnd what she intends to do once she completes her degreeDon't forget to follow us @leavingcertguidance on Instagram and TikTok.

This is one of our biggest podcast episodes of the year.  Eileen Keleghan from the CAO joins Donnchadh to give advice for 2025 CAO applicants.They talk about:What applicants can expect from the CAO applicationKey deadline datesGenuine order of preferenceChange of mind facilityLevel 6/7 and Level 8 listRestricted coursesLast minute adviceDont forget to follow us @leavingcertguidance Instagram and TikTok.

Language teacher Katie Lenehan (@mslenslanguages) join Donnchadh on the pod this week to talk about preparing for languages exams for the LC.Katie and Donnchadh discuss:Key challenges for studentsimproving oral and listening skillspractising languages outside of the classroomImproving vocabManaging your time during examsTips for the oral examAnd lots moreDont forget to follow @leavingcertguidance on Instagram and TikTok

Donnchadh is joined by Guidance Counsellor Roisin O'Donohoe to talk effective study methods and how students can get the most from themselves while studying. Donnchadh and Roisin discuss:Most common study mistakesthe importance of active studyingcreating an effective study scheduleavoiding procrastination or burnoutthe importance of sleep and nutrition for study and tips for handling stress and anxiety leading up to the LCDon't forget to follow @leavingcertguidance on Instagram and TikTok

There are a number of exemptions that CAO applicants can apply for.  Universities might have matriculation requirements that outline an applicant must have Irish and/or another language.In this episode, Donnchadh is joined by guidance counsellor from the Institute of Education, Aoife McArdle, to discuss exemptions for NUI universities, Trinity College, UL and Mary Immaculate College.It is important to note that if you think you are eligible to apply for an exemption that you talk to your guidance counsellor.Follow @leavingcertguidance on Instagram and TikTok.

Alice Byrne is in 4th year medicine in UCD.  When she sat her HPAT in 2021 she scored in the 98th percentile achieving 197 points.She joins Donnchadh in this episode to give some tips to potential HPATers.Alice discusses:The importance of the HPATHow she prepared for it with specific strategies and resourcesBalancing the LC and the HPATImportance of timing and pacing during the examAdvice for students who are anxious about the HPATTips for students sitting the HPAT in FebruaryConnect with Alice via email [email protected] us @leavingcertguidance on Instagram and TikTok

Donnchadh is joined by two 625 points students this week.  Juliet and Jessica chat about:How they structured their studyWhat study techniques worked best for them.Subjects they had to prioritiseThe lead up to the examsBalancing school and lifeStaying motivatedWhat advice they wish they had known in 6th yearFollow @leavingcertguidance on Instagram and TikTok.