‘It's only a step on a journey' – RTE stars reflect on Leaving Cert pressure and share advice with this year's students

The Irish Sun

2 days ago

RTE presenters have opened up about their Leaving Cert experiences and shared words of advice with this year's exam class.
The
3
RTE stars have reflected on their experiences with the Leaving Cert
Credit: RTE
3
This year's Leaving Cert class will begin their exams tomorrow
Credit: RTE
3
The presenters shared their best advice
Credit: RTE
Six One News presenter David McCullagh, who did his Leaving Cert back in 1986,
He said: "The pressure was all put on me, by myself."
David revealed that what he "really cared about" was the result of his history paper as it was the subject that he was most passionate about.
He explained: "I went in, I sat down, I opened up the paper and I realised, I've got this and I absolutely aced it. I came out of that exam walking on air because I thought I'd done so well."
READ MORE ON LEAVING CERT
But to his disappointment, the presenter got a C in the exam, which he described as "an absolute disaster".
He went on to say: "The important thing to remember is that that really rankles with me still.
"Even though I went on to do a degree and do a PhD and write history books and all the rest of it, the Leaving Cert result rankles with me.
"And do you know how many people in the universe are bothered by it? Me. Only me."
most read in the irish sun
He added that while it "seems so important at the time", in the end, "it's only a step on a journey".
Political Correspondent Paul Cunningham, who also sat his Leaving Cert in 1986, shared some advice for students sitting their exams this year.
RTE star shares messages for Leaving Cert students
He said: "There's always another step. Persistence is the key thing. You just need to find your way through to the next stage."
Paul admitted that he didn't get the results he hoped for but went on to study Arts at UCD and pursue a career in journalism.
He explained: "I spent most of my time trying to get articles in the newspaper and also hassle RTE editors to get overnight shifts on the radio desk.
"The thing I learned out of all of this is that while I didn't do a journalism course, I became a journalist and that's because of perseverance.
"So I say to you, if you do have the change, stick at it. It will fall your way."
'THE MAKING OF YOU'
Six One News presenter Sharon Tobin also reflected on her Leaving Cert experience, which she sat in 1997.
She said what was "really important" for her was knowing that "there were other ways to get to the career" she wanted.
Recalling her Higher Level Maths paper, she admitted: "It brings back a fear in the pit of my stomach."
She also said: "I didn't get the points I wanted for the course I wanted to do, I missed it by five points."
Sharon went on to study media through a PLC course and eventually got her degree.
She said: "Sometimes if you go a different path to the one that you are expected to go, or you tell yourself you have to go.
"You come across some other challenges along the way, but they can be the making of you."