Don’t stand still, I will colour code you.

Ah, you have to love this ole Leaving Cert thing eh?

No not really, I’m kidding. I’m constantly torn between the feeling of “Only nine months and I am done with this, come on, nearly there..” and then the terror of only having 9 months to learn all this carry on. Quick Tip: No matter how much you love History, no matter how much of a God your teacher is, it is frankly impossible to remember enough details in it, and will result in serious mental illness. Those of you who are back in the halcyon days of subject choice, don’t say I didn’t warn you. I vacillate between being convinced I’m definitely getting 600 points without breaking a sweat, and will probably not need to do any degree of work, to thinking I’m going to need to repeat at least 4 times before I get enough points to sell pirate DVDs off a coat outside a farmers market in outer Mongolia. A competitive course, by all accounts.

However, the moment I have dreamt of for several years now has arrived. I’ve embraced organisation 😀 This is a fairly big deal. The introduction of folders that are not hastily cobbled together the night before an inspection has made a pretty drastic change to my life. I’ve never liked folders of the ring binder or lever arch variety. I don’t know why, we’ve never got along. Those big envelope type ones have featured as glorified dustbins for handouts, but that’s about the extent of it. I’ve only ever had an Irish folder, and that was because my Junior Cert Irish teacher was adamant on the necessity of one. I never used it but I did own one. I like A4 hardbacks and copies, not crappy folders that don’t fit in my bag.. But a new and miraculous era has dawned. I now have 5 fairly impressive folders, which I proudly carry too and from school, with the care and affection one would show to a baby. And oh my, colour co-ordination, what a beautiful concept. I’ve stopped myself from matching the colours of subjects to the colour they are on my timetable, but it was a damn close run thing. I’ve already had my lovely nerdy Maths teacher laugh at me for my weird compulsive nerd behaviour, a line had to be drawn.

The one problem of organisation is the temptation to spend 3 hours colouring in dividers and rearranging the order of Biology notes, and then call it a day on the studying. I’ve become very good at that kinda thing actually, it’s not limited to being weirdly OCD about plastic pockets. I can eke out a single essay for hours, then go to bed. Sadly, the possibility of it being the greatest essay ever written on Cumann na nGaedheal notwithstanding, I have essentially done nothing else that evening. Somewhat problematic. Although if that essay doesn’t get a round of freakin’ applause I’m going to throw a tantrum.

Ignoring my impending nomination for Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Procrastination, I reckon this year is gonna be do-able. I’ve actually done a bit of work, and I’ve realised I actually remember quite a lot from last year. Admittedly I should be doing a bit more work, but I’ve signed up to Saturday Study (Farewell my beloved sleep in, we hardly knew ye..) and as soon as I’ve finished writing this I’ve got a date with some Biology notes. Exam papers also make quite a difference in my attitude. Staring at the huge amount to be learned in a book, or in the case of many subjects, several books, is much more depressing than flicking through an exam paper. It cuts it all down, makes it a bit more real, and the nice feeling of actually being able to do an entire question without referencing any notes is a good aul boost. Also, less pictures means I spend less time performing cosmetic alterations on historical characters or Irish poets. For the record, Arthur Griffith was born to wear a propeller beanie. He looked simply dashing in a sombrero too as it happens.

Also. Who’s bright idea was it to put the Leaving Cert in 6th Year? Everyone is bloody turning 18, gigs are popping up everywhere, there’s a night out or a house party every other night.. Bad planning in my view. Put it in 2nd Year and keep those young uns off the streets. At least I won’t have to step over their comatose bodies on the footpath every Saturday night, and I’ll be free to have a social life. I understand that this reformation will leave this year’s 6th Years without any Leaving Cert, but those lovely powers that be could just give us all our course of choice and presume we know the stuff. I fail to see any flaw in that plan, and if the Department for Education want to discuss my proposals any further I am totally available for that.

Anyway, best be off to those (colour co-ordinated, beautifully organised) Biology notes. Might transfer them into a prettier folder or something.. 😛
Happy Arthur’s Day everyone!