The mock exams are over. The mock exams are over.

Here comes the sun. And here comes the orals and practicals. 4 weeks. 4weeks.

But not to worry 4 weeks to learn off by heart, every possible answer to every possible question we can be asked and to learn off all music pieces to the point of an exceptional ace. Not to worry. 4 weeks.

I got thinking, time is resourceful and of the essence; 672 hours in 4 weeks. IF I spend this time wisely, I can take the strain of the government’s educational programme off my shoulders. 4 weeks.

19th of June; Free from the system. Just 100 days. I will be open to the world, free to do as I please, almost free… for a while. But now, I have 4 weeks.

Colin.

The Pres have always been a hot topic up for debate. As many of you noticed, the debating has already begun. Many people argue that cheating for the pres is morally wrong, whereas others will be for it, depending on how you look at it. Although cheating has been frowned upon, it has been looked at in a different way recently. Focused learning being the positive one, and using information for bad intention being the negative.

Various formats of the the pre leaving cert exam papers from DEB and examcraft have been floating around the internet lately. Various discussions have been going on over at boards.ie about it, until the moderators stepped up and banned users for posting links to copyrighted material. Which was a step in the right direction, but there was always google cache. And various other sources.

It seems that many people all over the country obtained copies of the papers before they sat their exams. Which raised a little more awareness about the pres and how effective they really are. The fact that schools choose the date that the pres are held doesn’t help either. You have friends sharing copies also. However, sharing information wont stop. But perhaps the approach to the pres needs to be looked into.

Let us know what you think!

Depression mode initiated, code blue alert. Week one of the pre-exams is finally out the window and it has been a demoralizing week. I don’t get how ‘mock’ exams can get me so worked up… They mean nothing, but I want to ‘win’, I am a competitor. I am a student of fluid manoeuvres, patiently observing the intermittent pattern of examinations. My specialisation is deciphering the past papers, precisely predicting what will be on the paper and with this I enter the mind of an examiner swotting-up on previous marking schemes and only then can one can gain full control of their nameless assessor.

This was my method up to this week, yes I had a good idea of what questions would come up in each paper but I have entered a whole new realm of problems- Study. I can fabricate half a strategy, but it’s useless without a second half of genuine revision. My slothful behaviour has been induced by hundreds of hours of nonstop TV and gaming. Sinful.

Male, 17, seeking antidote to laziness.

How can I be upset about something I’m not willing to put effort in… Why am I pissed off about pres? I want answers, answers to life!

Over and out,

Colin.