How do I know what to choose

At this stage many of you will have done your Junior Certificate or will be sitting it next June. How you performed should be the first place to look at. If you performed well or think you will perform well in a certain subject then you should strongly consider keeping this subject for the leaving cert. If you found it difficult then it makes sense to put this in the maybe pile. We can’t rule out anything as some colleges or careers might require you to do a certain subject. 

Subjects that we enjoy are far easier to study than those that we don’t.  It is 2 years to the leaving cert. That is a long time to be studying something that you don’t like. We also tend to be good at the things we enjoy.

We all have abilities in different places. Most of you will have done an aptitude test and this spells out for you where your strengths lie.  If you are very creative then Art may be a good subject to consider. If you look at things in a logical way and enjoy analysing how things work then Physics might be a good subject.

If you have not done an aptitude test there are some available on line.  Try www.qualifax.ie or www.careersportal.ie . Both of these sites will help you focus in on the areas you are good at. This will help you select subjects for your needs. The second website also discusses different career options which you might find helpful.

Keep in mind that you should do 7 (or more if you choose) subjects. You will only get marked on your best 6 so you have a safety net if you don't do well in a 1 subject.

It can be easy to go with the tide and choose subjects that your friends are doing but it is very important that the chosen subjects suit, that you enjoy them and finally that they open as many doors as possible for you in the future.

  Remember             
                                                        Pick what you enjoy doing.

                                             Pick what you are good at.

                                             Pick what you need.