3 days ago
Students prepare for Leaving Cert in 'peaceful' Sligo library
For Leaving Certificate students, Tubbercurry Community Library is an oasis of calm.
Throughout the month of May, around 35 students have been coming every day to study in its bright spaces and under its high ceilings.
They love the environment, but also the sense of camaraderie that comes from working side by side with others in the same boat.
"It's a very open space where you can get focused without getting distracted," Ben O'Brien told RTÉ News.
"I feel like it's better than home because there you can be interrupted all the time."
Cian Foran agreed and said: "At home the bed is behind me, and you just want to go for a sleep or something, you know."
The library has another feature that the students love. It was among the first in the country to open up to users after hours through the 'My Open Library' scheme, which allows members to swipe into the library in the evenings and at weekends and to use it unsupervised until 10pm.
More than a decade since the self-service facility was introduced, librarian Stephen Healy said: "We are at our busiest yet."
He said, particularly in May, Leaving Certificate students are driving the use of the library.
"It's peaceful in the evenings. There are no distractions," said student Evan Finn.
Both he and Gemma Meehan especially value the sense of support they get from being with others.
"When you see other people here studying, it kinda pushes you to do more," Gemma said.
Late last week, many of these students were focusing on the English papers.
The exams begin tomorrow with English Paper 1, and the second English Paper is on Thursday afternoon.
In keeping with their peaceful and purposeful surroundings, these students seem calm and collected. It seems they are taking it all in their stride.
"I'm a bit nervous but hopefully when it starts I won't be as nervous," said Erin King.
"[With English] there's a lot of writing and a lot to know," Erin said.
"It shouldn't be too bad," said Kian Scanlon.
"All you have to know is the stories and poems, so it's not really too much ... just a bit of study and you'll get through it," Kian added.
Most of the Leaving Cert students using the library are students at St Attracta's Community School in the town.
Bláithín Lavin felt English Paper 1 "should be all right".
For English Paper 2, she is hoping that poet Eavan Boland will appear.
"A lot of people are, if she comes up I'll be all right," she said.
In terms of study, Bláithín said she was "taking it day by day".
Kate McCarthy was using a whiteboard to write out material she has learned off, as a way of memorising it. She feels quite prepared.
"I'm definitely not stressing. Once we start we will get into the swing of it. In our school we do a lot of tests and the teachers are very prepared with sample answers," she said.
"I'm not really too stressed about the exams. I'm mainly prioritising English; I think most people are," said Colm Conroy Kelly.
"[With subjects like] history or Irish or maths I wouldn't be too strong on points, if I just pass them, then in my stronger subject, English, I should do decent enough and that should carry it," Colm said.
"I can't speak highly enough of them," said Stephen Healy.
"They create a great buzz around the library, and we always miss them when they are gone," he said.
However, these students will be using the library for a few weeks yet. The exams begin tomorrow and run until 24 June.
Aaron Duffy is another student who is taking things day by day.
