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Volume 1 (1999/2000)
Issue
1 (March 1999)
Issue
2 (Nov. 1999)
Issue 3 (Dec. 1999)
Issue 4 (Feb. 2000)
Issue 5 (March 2000)
Issue 6 (April 2000)
Issue
7 (May 2000)
Volume 2 (2000/2001)
Issue 1 (Sept. 2000)
Issue 2 (Oct. 2000)
Issue 3 (Jan. 2001)
Issue 4 (March 2001)
Issue 5 (April 2001)
Issue 6 (May 2001)
Volume 3 (2001)
Issue 1 (Sept. 2001)
Issue 2 (Nov. 2001)
Categories
Sport: 1
2 3
Lifestyles: 1 2
3
Commentary: 1 2
3
Review: 1 2
3
Writing: 1 2
3
Event: 1 2
3
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Alan Early
Marian College, Mohill
In September, hundreds of students will begin Transition Year (TY). Some
won't have a choice, the school decides - others will have to select to
do TY or go into 5th year. Those with a choice have a difficult decision
to make. Obviously there are pros and cons for each individual - it is
a much harder choice than first anticipated. Some people will worry about
their study skills and others won't want having an extra year but at the
same time would love to do it. So here, for all those who can't make their
mind up is, 'The No-Nonsense Guide to the Transition Year.'
I decided to do Transition Year and I was surprised at myself. All year
long, I had said I wouldn't do it, only a couple of my friends were taking
part. But when the time came, and after weeks of studying and worrying
about the Junior Cert, I felt like I deserved a rest - from the pressures
of exams, from excessive homework and from school. But it is no doss year.
In fact, if anything, it is the opposite. Sure, you may not be kept busy
with schoolwork but all the activities you participate in can be extremely
tiring: climbing Croke Patrick; organising a Craft Fair; designing and
making a costume; preparing for a Cert Course; taking numerous day trips
and developing a cross-border link with another school in Northern Ireland.
We have been busy.
The work experience is very useful and it does give you an excellent
idea of what it is like to be in the working place. That is as long as
you take good advantage of the opportunity! Don't use this time for part-time
work in a chipper or video shop. Are you really going to pursue a career
serving up chips? Instead, try obtaining work experience in an occupation
that interests you and gives you an educated idea of the type of job you
would like. While I'm mentioning work I may as well mention the fact that
employers love to see the words 'Transition Year' on a CV.
So should you do Transition Year? Well, yes and no - it is a difficult
year but, it is also a fun year full of great craic.
Here are some tips on surviving TY:
o If you do decide to take part, don't worry all year whether you will
be able to regain study skills. Relax.
o Don't think of TY as an extra year of school, think of it as an experience.
So what if you do your Leaving Cert in two rather than three years!
o Give yourself a step-up in a subject you're not good in. For instance,
if you got less than a C in French in the Junior Cert, use the year for
revising all you can for the 'Big One' in 6th Year.
o As our English teacher, Mr. Ridge said back in September, "Read"!
Since you started Secondary School, you may not read as much as you used
to, so get back into the reading habit. Apart from anything else, it will
greatly improve your abilities for the English Exam.
o Make friends. If there is a choice in your school about entering TY,
the class should be small and intimate so make a resolution to get to
know everyone in the year.
o But there is one piece of advice you must take no matter what, ENJOY
yourself.
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