Carl O'Brien: ‘It's Leaving Cert holiday time: euphoria for students, despair for parents'
It starts innocently enough. The child mutters something about heading away after the exams: 'Just me and the gang – nothing mad.' Albufeira seemed like an innocent cultural excursion when first floated back January. Now, as they head off to the airport, it seems to be a hellscape of supersized nightclubs, foam parties and all-inclusive sambuca shots.
Yes, the Leaving Cert holiday is almost here – a time honoured rite of passage for students; a slow motion heart attack for mother and fathers.
Punta Ballena Street, also known as "the strip" in Mallorca, Spain. Photograph:My colleague Kate Byrne has spoken to
parents and students about where everyone's heading this year
. The party hotspots are Mallorca, Greece, the Algarve and, yes, Albufeira. Fret not: some students are embarking on cultural tours or trips around Berlin or Barcelona – or so they say.
Meanwhile, for the first time in an age, a strange peace will descend on exam households. The silence may seem unnerving at first. No doors slamming, no mysterious thumps upstairs. But then something shifts. The fridge remains strangely stocked. The laundry basket is no longer overflowing. And slowly, the panic gives way to a quiet pride.
READ MORE
Because deep down, parents know this holiday marks something more than just dodgy tattoo; it's the start of independence, adventure and figuring things out (possibly with the help of Google Translate). The kids are beginning the messy, brilliant next chapter of their lives. For all the worry, that's something worth celebrating – preferably with a glass of wine.
Exams:
You'd be forgiven for thinking the exams are over. For the unfortunate few, the Leaving Cert trundles on: today it was
Classical Studies
and
Italian
; the latter
pushed students for time
and posed challenges with some
complex questions
on philosophy.
Up tomorrow:
It's – finally – the last day of the exams
Politics and Society (9.30-12)
Applied mathematics (2-4.30pm)
Later this week:
We'll be asking you for your exam high and lows, what you'd change and what you'd keep about the Leaving Cert
And in the run-up to the CAO July 1st deadline, guidance counsellor Brian Mooney will be sharing his last-minute checklist for course selection.
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Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
How to prepare your teenager for a safe post-Leaving Cert holiday
As thousands of young people excitedly jet off for the post-Leaving Cert holiday, their parents will be anxiously checking WhatsApp messages for blue ticks (in the absence of replies), following the weather forecasts for various Spanish and Greek hotspots, and trying to resist the urge to call their teenagers who have neglected to phone home at the promised time. All of this worry is natural, according to psychologist Dr Malie Coyne, but it is also important for adults to instil responsibility in to their newly independent children, she says. 'It is normal for parents to worry, but it is also a rite of passage for young people to want to go on holiday with their friends,' Dr Coyne says. 'Hopefully, parents will have been building open relationships with their kids throughout their lives and will have already imparted sensible advice and used everyday opportunities to talk about safety and how, on a night out or trip away, to never leave their friends and always stick together. As the mother of daughters, I suppose I worry that they are more vulnerable, but the same also applies to guys, so never leaving your friends is crucial. 'Also, I would encourage parents to have agreed with their teenagers to have regular check-ins, whether that is by text or call, as this can help to maintain a sense of security,' Dr Coyne says. 'So, before they jet off, I would encourage parents to say what they expect of them. I would be telling mine to keep in contact, put on sun cream every day, drink lots of water, both during the day and when out drinking; also make sure to eat if drinking alcohol, always stay with friends, and never go off with someone they don't know. 'It's a good idea to be open in conversation with them, to talk about potential risks regarding alcohol, unsafe situations, and peer pressure. For example, ask them what they would do if someone wanted them to do 10 shots or take a certain substance. Talk to them about all of these things and make sure they know about setting boundaries and recognising warning signs.' Most teens will have had some independence, but every parent will have different expectations, so 'there is no hard and fast rule' on what they should and shouldn't do. Dr Malie Coyne, psychologist 'You know your child best, so any agreement you have in place will be based on your own situation,' Dr Coyne says. 'Parents should be able to trust the values they have instilled from the beginning and see that experiences like going on holiday with friends can be opportunities for growth. 'And while they might not want them to go to certain destinations, they can agree on somewhere that they believe is safer or closer. It's also important for parents to know what hotel they will be staying in and that they have medical insurance and travel documents, which are up to date. 'And if they really don't feel that their teen is ready or mature enough to embark on an independent trip with friends, then maybe a compromise can be reached where they can do something different with friends or have a family trip away and that there may be the possibility of going next year.' No matter how old you are when travelling, being prepared is key as it is always important to have everything in place to prevent any mishaps. A spokesperson for the HSE says that along with passports and tickets, holidaymakers should have applied for their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and it must be in date, because should any accidents or health issues occur, it will help with reduced cost. They also advise being safe in the sun by staying in the shade when it's hottest, wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, and always putting on a hat and sunglasses when out and about. And while everyone wants to let their hair down on holiday, it is vital to keep your wits about you. 'Alcohol lowers your inhibitions, which can result in you doing things you usually wouldn't do,' the spokesperson says. 'While some people think this will give them more confidence, it can also mean that you might do something you later regret. Everyone reacts differently to alcohol, so what works for your friends might not work for you, so look after yourself and your friends, and make the best decision that suits how you want to celebrate, while staying safe. 'But even if you're not drinking alcohol, it's important not to leave your drink unattended and not to accept any drinks from strangers. Stay with your friends and agree on a meeting point if one of you gets separated from the group. And make sure that your phone is fully charged, so you can contact friends, family, or emergency services if something happens.' Along with being sensible around alcohol consumption by ordering smaller and lower-strength drinks and by eating well before going out, the HSE also advises young people to be very careful about drugs. 'It's always safer not to use drugs. Some people may be at greater risk, due to personal factors, such as their physical or mental health status, which is unique to them,' says the spokesperson. 'So, avoid use if you have underlying conditions, mental health concerns, a family history of mental health concerns, or if you are feeling low, depressed, or anxious. 'This can increase the risks for you. 'Also, be in the know and research and stay up to date with drug market trends, avoid using drugs in new settings, and have a friend you trust with you. If taking something, pace yourself and leave time between uses. If you don't react as expected, don't take any more, and avoid using with other drugs. This includes with alcohol and prescription medication. Mixing drugs increases risks and can be unpredictable. 'And, don't be afraid to get medical help if you, or a friend, become unwell or feel suicidal after using drugs. So, when in doubt, get it checked out.' For confidential information and support about alcohol and drugs, visit or contact the free HSE drugs and alcohol helpline at 1800 459 459, Monday to Friday, 9.30 am - 5.30 pm, or email helpline@
Irish Times
2 days ago
- Irish Times
Carl O'Brien: ‘It's Leaving Cert holiday time: euphoria for students, despair for parents'
It starts innocently enough. The child mutters something about heading away after the exams: 'Just me and the gang – nothing mad.' Albufeira seemed like an innocent cultural excursion when first floated back January. Now, as they head off to the airport, it seems to be a hellscape of supersized nightclubs, foam parties and all-inclusive sambuca shots. Yes, the Leaving Cert holiday is almost here – a time honoured rite of passage for students; a slow motion heart attack for mother and fathers. Punta Ballena Street, also known as "the strip" in Mallorca, Spain. Photograph:My colleague Kate Byrne has spoken to parents and students about where everyone's heading this year . The party hotspots are Mallorca, Greece, the Algarve and, yes, Albufeira. Fret not: some students are embarking on cultural tours or trips around Berlin or Barcelona – or so they say. Meanwhile, for the first time in an age, a strange peace will descend on exam households. The silence may seem unnerving at first. No doors slamming, no mysterious thumps upstairs. But then something shifts. The fridge remains strangely stocked. The laundry basket is no longer overflowing. And slowly, the panic gives way to a quiet pride. READ MORE Because deep down, parents know this holiday marks something more than just dodgy tattoo; it's the start of independence, adventure and figuring things out (possibly with the help of Google Translate). The kids are beginning the messy, brilliant next chapter of their lives. For all the worry, that's something worth celebrating – preferably with a glass of wine. Exams: You'd be forgiven for thinking the exams are over. For the unfortunate few, the Leaving Cert trundles on: today it was Classical Studies and Italian ; the latter pushed students for time and posed challenges with some complex questions on philosophy. Up tomorrow: It's – finally – the last day of the exams Politics and Society (9.30-12) Applied mathematics (2-4.30pm) Later this week: We'll be asking you for your exam high and lows, what you'd change and what you'd keep about the Leaving Cert And in the run-up to the CAO July 1st deadline, guidance counsellor Brian Mooney will be sharing his last-minute checklist for course selection.
Irish Examiner
2 days ago
- Irish Examiner
I went on a post-Leaving Cert holiday with my son, here's how we got on
For months, even years, tens of thousands of students across the country have been counting down to the end of the Leaving Certificate. And now, exams finished, the hated uniform can be ditched and the books finally closed for good. We all remember that heady feeling, the worry lifted, and the rest of the summer stretching out ahead. Many teenagers will be undertaking summer jobs, others will be content to hang around their locality with friends, while another, increasingly large group will be packing their bags to head off for the Leaving Cert holiday, their first independent foray in to the world. The post-exam trip has become extremely popular, a rite of passage. But while parents are preparing themselves for a week (or two) of wondering what their young adults are up to abroad, some are bucking the trend and arranging a trip en-famille, so they can enjoy the freedom of having left school without the pressure of drinking too much and possibly getting in to some sticky situations. When Claire O'Brien's son Conor did his Leaving Cert five years ago, not only was she enthused about him having a trip away, she actually went with him. But it wasn't your traditional trip, with hordes of teens heading off together to a party resort in Spain or Greece. Instead, the pair went to Italy, to celebrate the end of exams. 'When Conor was born, I was in my early 20s and started working in tech and marketing, but I knew that wasn't the sort of career I was after, so when he started secondary school, I enrolled in an evening and weekend course on nutritional therapy,' Claire says. 'I had planned for it to coincide with when he finished school and was in college, as by then I would be embarking on a new career, while he began the next phase of his life. 'So it happened that I finished my exams two days before his and a couple of days later the two of us headed off for a nine-day trip to southern Italy.' The Cork woman says that the decision to go on holiday together was mutual, as Conor, now 23, 'wasn't in to the idea of drinking for a week', and many of his friends had also gone away with their families. 'A lot of Conor's friends at the time were from Eastern Europe and after the Leaving Cert they went back to their home countries to visit family,' Claire says. 'Also, he wasn't in to the idea of going on a typical post-Leaving Cert holiday, as he isn't a drinker and knew that if he was away with a group of lads who were drinking and he was sober, that it would be quite boring for him. So we decided that we would head off together, as we'd both had a tense few weeks with exams, so it would be nice to get away from it all. 'We decided to go somewhere a little different and do a bit of travelling by train, so we headed to Naples and spent some time exploring that region. Claire O'Brien and her son Conor on post Leaving Cert holiday 'We stayed in a medieval castle, where there was a view of a volcano out the window, and there was a lift down to the beach. 'The train station was also close by, so, when we weren't at the beach, we would take the train on short, local trips, such as Pompeii and Sorrento, where we did a bit of exploring and hiking. 'It was a really lovely holiday and one of the highlights was the fact that because it was such a beautiful venue, there were a number of weddings on while we were there and I remember one night, while we were getting ready to go out, there was a violin concert taking place outside and later a fireworks display, so that was really lovely. For Conor, I think the highlight was Pompeii, which he really enjoyed.' Claire, 45, who runs says that her husband doesn't like the heat, so her son was happy to accompany. And Claire and Conor's post-Leaving Cert trip wasn't an isolated one. They are currently on holiday together in Croatia. 'My husband doesn't like the weather when it's too hot: 26Cis the maximum he can tolerate,' she says. 'So it is great that Conor is happy to go away with me and we both enjoy just hanging out and exploring new places. 'It's really nice to be able to make these memories together as, before you know it, your kids are fully grown up and doing their own thing. He is 23 now and has finished college, so it's really nice to get to spend this time with him. 'I think more young people are happy to do trips like this, rather than ones that are all about drinking and going to party islands,' Claire says. 'My niece was just saying that she went on holiday with her female friends and they chose somewhere there was lots to see and explore, as they had no interest in just drinking for a week, so it seems that this is becoming more and more common. 'And, to be honest, I don't think Conor felt like he missed out on anything by going away with me, because when he was talking to friends afterwards, there was nothing that he felt like he had missed out on and he was just as happy to have done his own thing.' But there are thousands of teenagers who will be eschewing the family holiday for a trip with their friends, and Claire, a mother of one, says that it's important for parents to let them off and try not to worry too much. 'Once the parents have given permission and if their child is over 18, they have to just trust them to make their own decisions and to stay safe with their friends,' Claire says. 'I know it's a rite of passage and some kids will be quite wild, but most will be sensible and after the stress of the exams, they will just want to have a bit of fun. 'But it all depends on their personality. 'They may not want to go, but may feel under pressure, and they could always say they aren't allowed, if parents feel that their child isn't up for it and maybe the parent can plan a trip with them, instead,' Claire says. 'Everyone is different and we don't all like the same thing. Parents know what their own kid is like, so if they feel that they'd like the option of doing something different, either as a family or with one parent, then make that suggestion and give them the option of having a different type of adventure. 'I'm so glad we decided to go on our post-exam trip together. We had a great time and have been on others since and, hopefully, will do many more in the future.'
