Leaving Cert preparation guide

Preparing for your Leaving Cert exams can be challenging. It is important to prioritise your wellbeing during this busy life period.

Preparing for the Leaving Cert

Here are some articles that can support you with your study and wellbeing before, during and after exam time.

Making a study plan

• How to create a Leaving Cert study timetable
• How to create a study space at home

Study tips for the Leaving Cert

• Habits to help you study effectively
• What is procrastination and how can you overcome it?
• 5 study techniques to help you prepare for exams

Looking after your wellbeing as you prepare for the Leaving Cert

• Taking care of yourself during the Leaving Cert exams
• How to eat to support yourself during exam time
• How to support a friend doing exams
• 5 mindfulness exercises you can try at home

Dealing with stress and burnout during sixth year

• How to handle exam stress
• How to tell if you are burnt out 
• Six steps you can take to manage stress and prevent burnout
• What you can do if you’re feeling burnt out

Preparing for the first day of exams

• How to prepare for the first day of exams
• Exam checklist: 10 things to prepare the night before the exam

What to do after the Leaving Cert

Once the exams are behind you, it is a good idea to take a break. When you are ready, you can think about what your next steps can be.

Exploring your options after secondary school

• What can I do when I finish secondary school?
• Applying for college and opportunities through the CAO
• Applying for college abroad
• Could a PLC course be right for you?
• Is an apprenticeship for you?

Getting your Leaving Cert results

• How to prepare for Leaving Cert results day
• How to appeal a Leaving Cert result
• How to deal with disappointing grades

Talk to someone about the Leaving Cert exams

If you feel you are becoming overwhelmed with feelings of stress around your exams it’s important that you try to talk to someone. Sharing this with someone else can help you feel better and it means that you will have the support of that person over the next few weeks and months when it comes to exams. If you feel like you need some professional support, here is a list of affordable mental health supports for young people in Ireland.

You can also contact our free text support service 50808:

Feeling overwhelmed and want to talk to someone?

• Get anonymous support 24/7 with our text message support service
• Connect with a trained volunteer who will listen to you, and help you to move forward feeling better
• Free-text SPUNOUT to 50808 to begin
• Find out more about our text message support service

If you are a customer of the 48 or An Post network or cannot get through using the ‘50808’ short code please text HELLO to 086 1800 280 (standard message rates may apply). Some smaller networks do not support short codes like ‘50808’.

Need more information, advice or guidance?

We offer information, advice and guidance about the issues that matter to you. Our online Youth Information Chat service is for 16 to 25 year olds and is available Monday to Friday, 4pm to 8pm (excluding Bank Holidays).

• Chat now to a trained Youth Information Officer
• Or leave us a message and we will email you back