Julia Gibbons from Rathdowney, Co Laois, is studying business and law in UCD. She completed her Leaving Cert in the Ursuline, Thurles, last June, coming away with 565 points.

But she didn’t do any revision courses.

“I felt like it was better to take a break in the time designated for holidays than to be doing intense revision courses. When you go to most revision courses, they give you notes. I felt that I already had sufficient notes of my own. The amount from your teachers is enough. You end up with conflicting notes on everything which is stressful and takes away your focus. I also felt like you’re given an education, if you put in the work yourself there’s no need to pay for notes.”

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Saying that, Julia thinks revision courses can be useful if you’ve a bad teacher and you don’t have notes. She also feels they’re helpful with the oral aspect of languages.

“The oral is now worth 40% in Irish and students might get help there they wouldn’t get in school, especially if their teachers don’t have time to work with all the students individually.”

Did she feel under pressure to do revision courses?

“Yes, a bit. Although, I enjoyed my holidays I felt guilty. But you shouldn’t feel guilty about taking time off. After the mocks I enjoyed my holidays and I felt ready to go back rather than being bogged down. During Easter was the only holiday I did any bit of work.”

She thinks there is social pressure from students to do revision courses.

“You’d be sitting in study and see these big folders of notes with things you don’t have. For English, the teachers in school wouldn’t give you a set essay, but they’d have A1 essays to learn off.”

But Julia strongly contends that “it’s bad to look at what friends are doing, you know what’s best for you.”

In terms of study tips from this high achiever, Julia notes: “Planning was one of my strongest points. Anytime I felt stressed I’d break it down. The plan never went ahead, but it helped. I found if I wasn’t getting any work done, I’d just take down notes. You’re still absorbing things. Even if you don’t think it’s doing much, writing down key points really helps.”