Latest news with #PeterMcGuire
Irish Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Irish Times
Carl O'Brien: ‘Students buoyed by positive to start to State exams 2025'
So, it's day two and done. For many students, the first 48 hours of the Junior Cycle and Leaving Cert exams have been nerve-racking, energy-sapping and emotionally draining. Yet, candidates have also been getting into their stride, honing their exam technique and learning to pace themselves. The generally positive reaction to Leaving Cert English papers one and paper two has certainly helped, buoyed by the much-predicted appearance of Eavan Boland. If your student is still struggling, our guidance counsellor Brian Mooney has solid advice on how to approach the papers: take time to review then initially and leaving time and space to review answers. READ MORE Anxiety Exam anxiety can still be a factor for some students: bursts of panic, feeling sick, stomach turning to jelly, stage fright. My colleague Peter McGuire has spoken to experts in the field . We were stuck by this comment. 'Testing is not a natural state – it is an artificial condition that we have created that has negative impacts on many people's mental health,' says Dr Jennifer Symonds, associate professor of education at UCD school of education. His article has plenty of tips to help address exam anxiety such as 'diaphragmatic' breathing', keeping smartphones at bay and avoiding marathon study sessions. Marathons Speaking of which, my colleague Cian O'Connell has documented the rise of 'extreme study ' online, such as 5am starts and 12-hour sessions. It's fair to say that none of the expert we spoke to recommended it. Friday, at least, gives students a chance to relax, breathe out and take stock. As Brian Mooney says in his advice for parents, some young people taking the Leaving Cert can mistakenly believe their standing in their parents' eyes is dependent on their success in the exam. 'Ensure your son or daughter is clear that your love for them is in no way dependent on how they perform,' he says. 'This affirmation is one of the greatest gifts you can give them during the exams.' Tomorrow : Leaving Cert: geography (9.30-12 midday), maths paper one (2-4.30pm) Junior Cycle: history (9.30-11.30am), maths (1.30-3.30pm) How are we doing? If you are a parent/ guardian of a Leaving Cert student, we'd love to hear from you. Maybe you have a personal story to share, have a burning question or want to comment on the exams, CAO and further education applications process. Please click the link below to send us your questions or feedback: ingCert
Bloomberg
28-04-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Bloomberg Daybreak Asia: Cautious Start for APAC Trade
Asian shares gained in a cautious start to the week as investors await progress in US trade negotiations with the region and signs of further stimulus from China. The dollar was steady against major peers and US equity-index futures edged lower in early trading Monday. Contracts in Japan signal a gain when cash markets reopen after the yen weakened on Friday, while those in Australia and Hong Kong were little changed. We talk FX and currencies with Peter McGuire, CEO at Australia. Plus - US stocks notched their longest advance in three months on Friday, while bonds and the dollar climbed amid increasing expectations the Federal Reserve could ease policy again in the first half of this year as the US economy softens. Worries about the economic fallout from tariffs drove US consumer sentiment to one of its lowest readings on record while long-term inflation expectations climbed to the highest since 1991. Investors will focus on key economic data this week - the Bank of Japan's rate decision, and US jobs report and gross domestic product data - to see if the the recent steadiness in markets will continue as tariff tensions tamp down. We preview the week's US eco data with Lawrence Werther, Chief US Economist at Daiwa Capital Markets.
