Over the past few weeks, our lives have changed drastically and our normal everyday routines disrupted. COVID-19 has had a huge effect on our way of life, and it is even more challenging for some of the more vulnerable people in our society, including refugees and asylum seekers living in direct provision.

What is Direct Provision

Direct provision is the Irish system for asylum seekers in Ireland. There are over 6,000 refugees and asylum seekers living in direct provision in Ireland, almost 30% of those are children. When a person seeks asylum in Ireland, direct provision is where they live while awaiting a decision on their status. The average wait time is two years, but it is not uncommon for people to wait eight, nine or ten years in direct provision. There are about 40 centres in Ireland, not counting the emergency reception centres. Seven of the centres are state owned, but the majority of the centres are run on a for-profit basis with. The centres are usually old hostels, hotels or B&Bs and often located in rural and isolated areas where families live together in one room, eat meals three times a day at strictly set times, have communal bathroom facilities and are usually overcrowded. People receive €38.80 a week, with extremely limited access to the right to work scheme.

Social distancing in direct provision

The majority of us are able to practice social distancing and self isolate, but this is much more difficult for people living in direct provision. Put yourself in the shoes of someone living in direct provision during the COVID-19 pandemic, and think of how little control you have over protecting yourself and your family. Friends of mine who are living in direct provision feel ignored and helpless, powerless to protect themselves and their families.

On €38.80 it’s just not feasible to buy supplies to protect themselves from the virus, as well as everyday necessities. The conditions in direct provision centres are the perfect environment for the spread of a virus like COVID-19. This can have a devastating impact on people’s health, as well as their mental wellbeing. Imagine the anxiety you would feel if you were in the same situation, not being able to socially distance yourself from others around you. People are having to share eating areas and living quarters with people who have possibly tested positive for COVID-19. For families, it’s a challenging time as their children are at home all day, but in cramped conditions like direct provision, entertaining them is difficult.

People in direct provision need extra support during this time and I think it’s an opportunity to change the direct provision system for the better. I personally think €38.80 a week is not enough to live off, especially during a pandemic. The impact of the pandemic on people’s mental health is serious and really needs to be addressed. It’s also a chance to address the wait times in direct provision. The wait time has to change as we cannot leave people in limbo for so long.

Cork refugee, asylum seeker & migrant community

When I first moved to Cork I really missed my small community back home. As I got more involved with the Cork refugee, asylum seeker and migrant community I was met with only warmth and compassion and it made me feel so welcome in a new place. The people I’ve met are some of the strongest and most resilient people I know and we can learn so much from them. Even now, in such a tumultuous time, women living in direct provision are sewing masks for all the Cork centres and other vulnerable groups with the Sanctuary Mask Initiative. This compassion and solidarity is what we need in a time like this.

We need to make a positive change

For years we’ve been protesting about the inhuman conditions that refugees and asylums seekers are being placed in. It’s really disappointing that the threat of overcrowding and poor sanitary conditions have been overlooked in the COVID-19 mitigation strategies. From the very beginning it was clear to me that direct provision centres are a hotspot for COVID-19. How long is it going to take until direct provision and its inhumane conditions are addressed? How bad does it have to get for the issues to be taken seriously? At this rate, by the time we see actual serious change it will be too late and people will be shaking their heads wondering how we could have let this happen. In unprecedented times like this we can’t afford to help some and leave the rest. We need to show each other empathy. We must work together as a community and we have to ensure nobody is left behind.

Young people share their opinions on the Leaving Cert 2020 

With the Leaving Cert 2020 exams cancelled and replaced with predicted grades, SpunOut.ie teamed up with the Irish Examiner to share young people’s thoughts on the latests plans for the Leaving Cert. 

Abbie Somers, 17, Dublin

My name is Abbie Somers and I’m currently a 6th year student in Manor House School in Raheny, Co. Dublin. With the announcement that the Leaving Certificate exams are set to be cancelled, I felt a lot of mixed emotions. Initially, I felt excitement and relief at the thought of finally getting clarity from the Department of Education on the fate of our exams. As the hours ticked by, I felt myself growing more and more anxious at the thought of all the possible outcomes that come with the cancellation.

Overall, though, I would say that I was relieved at the thought of the exams being cancelled for the sake of students’ mental and physical health. My mental health took a dive at the start of 6th year and it only got worse as the months went on. Now, while trying to work alone at home, it’s been even harder. If it’s confirmed that the exams are cancelled, I know that for me, personally, it’ll be a massive weight taken off my shoulders and I’ll finally be able to breathe again.

Although I assume that the majority of my fellow Leaving Cert students will be in favour of the cancellation, I ask of them to be considerate of those who may be upset at the announcement. While I was firmly against the plan for exams to go ahead on July 29th, I know there were other students who were ecstatic to have more time to study and plan. We may have differing opinions on the matter, but we all have the common goal of wanting to finish up secondary school and move on with our lives.

I ask my peers to check in with your classmates if you haven’t already. We all need to support each other, no matter the decision made.

Dave Lawlor, 18, Kildare

On the evening of Thursday May 7th, over 65,000 Leaving Certificate students were told of Minister Joe McHugh’s intention to cancel traditional exams as we know them and replace them with predicted grades. The consequences of the global COVID-19 pandemic have had a major impact on our nation as a whole, but I think people fail to see that the impact of the virus has filtered into the mental health of our students.

As a Leaving Certificate student, I was extremely worried about exams going ahead on July 29th as previously announced.I was concerned about how the safety of students could be ensured. I was also extremely anxious about the impact that the postponed exams were having on myself and my fellow Leaving Cert students. Personally, I have found that trying to find the motivation to study for uncertain exams amid an unprecedented global pandemic was a very difficult talk and I often lost motivation. The decision made by the government to cancel the Leaving Certificate has been a welcomed one by the vast majority of students including myself.

According to the recent survey conducted by the Irish Second-Level Students Union (ISSU), 79% of students opted for the cancellation of exams and the implementation of the predicted grades system. Postponing the exams has already caused so much upset, unneeded stress and anxiety amongst students. For a country that rightfully preaches about mental health, we have finally put our words into action. I am unbelievably proud of my fellow students who have stood up for what they believed in and our voices have finally been heard. The cancellation of this year’s Leaving Certificate exams was not a decision to be taken lightly but it was one that was necessary. I think students now feel that their health is protected.

Molly Gordon Boles, 18, Wicklow

When I read the news of the expected cancellation of the Leaving Certificate exams, I felt a wave of immense relief. For weeks, students have been left in the dark, not knowing what was going to be happening with the most important exams of our school education. I think the uncertainty has been detrimental to the mental health of 65,000 Leaving Cert students, their teachers and their families. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions, ups and downs, during a time when the nation’s mental health and wellbeing is already at a fragile state. Now, regardless of whether you are happy with the final decision or not, we have clarity. Our safety has been placed at the forefront of this decision and that is the most important outcome.

For weeks I have been campaigning, on RTE, national and local radio, calling for the cancellation of the exams and for the use of predicted grades. I believe it is the best and fairest option for the community as a whole. We are living in such unprecedented times. We need to push individualistic attitudes aside, come together and keep the greater interests of the community in mind. This decision is not going to please everyone, but I think it is the only option which prioritises student’s health and wellbeing.

Now that the decision has been made, rather than highlighting all the possible problems, we need to come together to make it work. Predicted grades can be done. We have seen countries across Europe use this system. We need to trust in the professionalism of our teachers and the Department to provide the most accurate and reflective grade. The right decision has been made.

Jakub Kostanski, 19, Galway

Leaving Cert students all over Ireland have been working hard to study, and finish projects and assignments. We’ve all been doing this remotely from home since schools have closed. The Irish Secondary Students Union (ISSU) have been working very hard since the decision was made to postpone the Leaving Cert from the 3rd of June to the 29th of July. For the decision to postpone the Leaving Cert, it seemed to me that there wasn’t much effort to try to get young people’s opinions on that decision, but from that day onwards the ISSU have been on board the whole way to help young people’s voices be heard.

The ISSU have been surveying young people to get a better understanding of what young people want. Throughout the process many young people wanted to cancel the Leaving Cert and have predicted grades which would relieve so much stress.

As soon as I heard that Minister Joe McHugh will be recommending to the cabinet that the Leaving Cert will be cancelled I was super excited. I am extremely relieved that I don’t have to stress about this anymore, but I also have a few concerns as to how everything is going to work out. When it was announced I felt a huge weight drop off my shoulders and I was able to feel happy and free. I can just imagine that many of the Leaving Cert students felt the exact same way.

Over 70% of the Leaving Cert students said that they wanted to cancel the Leaving Cert. It seems now that the government is listening to young people’s voices, which makes me even more excited about this news as I know that if there are any more decisions to be made, I can rest assured that my voice will be heard.

Katie Blain, 18, Roscommon

Late last night, sixth-year students, as well as their teachers and parents, heard about the decision to cancel the Leaving Certificate exams and instead proceed with a predictive grade model. I’m still struggling to comprehend the news, in all honesty. Slowly the news about the decision filtered down through social media and group chats and I think every student is in the same state of shock. 

As someone who has been behind the idea of predicted grades since students began to advocate for them, I commend the government for their decision. Many sixth-year students’ wellbeing had taken a nosedive since we left school. I know that not being able to go to school and not having structured days was having an impact on me and my mental wellbeing. Along with this, other students had other setbacks in terms of the digital divide, a lack of facilities for study etc. that were causing a lot of stress and anxiety. 

The Irish Secondary Students Union ran two surveys over the last few weeks, with the latest one showing that 78.6% of students were in favour of predicted grades and cancelling the exams. I’m relieved that the government has done the right thing and listened to the student voice because for a while it felt like we weren’t being listened, to which in my opinion, increased the stress that a lot of us were feeling. It’s going to take time for our brains to wrap around the fact that the exams are not going to happen. Our teachers are going to be put in a very stressful place in the next couple of weeks but I trust in mine that they will do right by my fellow classmates and myself. I believe that now is the time to take account of what we have and to heal.

For most of my life I’ve described myself as a perfectionist. I’m a high achiever who wants everything I do to be the best it can be. This mindset throughout my life has damaged my self-esteem and confidence in myself.

In primary school I was friends with a group of really competitive girls. We were all quite intelligent and I felt there was this unspoken pressure to be the best. The smartest. The fastest runner. Perfection to me at this time was not merely wanting to be one of the best, but to be the best. I was constantly comparing myself and my abilities to others. Instead of being proud of what I accomplished and how hard I worked, I would feel jealous that I hadn’t gotten full marks in a spelling test like the other girls.

Perfection and my self-esteem

I constantly felt like I was not good enough. This feeling of inadequacy translated into secondary school where the focus on academia increased. In first year, I struggled a lot with anxiety and had other personal issues, one of which was my dad being diagnosed with cancer. The only aspect of my life that I felt I had control over was my performance in school. I had always placed such importance in this and I threw myself into every project and test. Perfection to me was getting a higher mark than the last time. My competition was now with myself and I began to associate my self-worth with my grades. When I got a result I was pleased with, I felt good about myself. However, when I wasn’t satisfied with a result, I felt rotten. At a time where my self-esteem hit rock bottom, I yearned for a feeling of accomplishment and reassurance that I was not only doing enough, but excelling.

I’ve noticed that a lot of high achievers often say, when asked about their weaknesses “Well I’m a little bit of a perfectionist”, with a shrug of the shoulders and a guilty smile. Society seems to think that perfectionism is an acceptable “weakness” – it shows that they are determined, hardworking and ambitious. Do we want an employee who doesn’t work enough or works too hard? This is the environment I surrounded myself with.

A fear of failing

I’ve learned that the more stress and pressure I put on myself, the less productive and motivated I am. The fear of failing resulted in frequent bouts of procrastination. Putting off the tasks as much as possible delayed the possibility of failing my standards. I often felt I couldn’t produce any piece of work that wasn’t my best. As I consistently had a high standard of work, I feared disappointing teachers who had high expectations of me, which is ridiculous because most teacher want you to do your best, whatever that best is on that particular day, or in that moment.

One day I came across this powerful advice, “Anything worth doing is worth doing poorly, because doing it poorly is better than not doing it”. Washing your face when the thought of a shower sounds like too much effort, is better than not washing at all. Doing 10 minutes of yoga when the thought of doing 20 minutes of cardio seems exhausting, is better than not moving at all. Starting a task doesn’t have to be the best piece of work produced, but “half – assing” a task is better than not doing anything. This advice really broke through my block of procrastination and I remind myself of it whenever I’m feeling unmotivated.

How counselling has helped

I’ve gone to counselling throughout the years for anxiety and self-esteem, and have come away with some great lessons. I’ve worked a lot on not putting so much pressure on myself and being proud of what I accomplish, big and small. Right now, perfection means to me being happy with something I’ve worked hard at. Sometimes this is attainable, other times perfection seems a million miles away. I’m still hard working, passionate, and a high achiever. But it’s ok if I have an off day, it’s alright if I’m unmotivated or nervous for an exam. My feelings are valid and I now know that I can support myself when I’m feeling this way through skills I’ve learned in counselling.

My changing definition of perfection

Although a lot of that harmful perfectionist mindset is in the past, it’s still an aspect of who I am today. It’s so easy to fall back into that mindset. The odd time I’ll hear people talking about their study timetables and I’ll catch myself thinking,” they are working harder than me, I need to do more.” I suppose realising that I am enough has been a game changer for me. I’m not going to live my life in numbers – percentages in an exam, kilograms on a scale, followers on social media, whatever it is.

My definition of perfection has definitely changed over the years. From comparing myself to others, to associating my worth with my results and finally achieving a grade I am satisfied with, perfection is such a temporary and relative word. I’m slowly learning to quieten the critic inside me and embrace becoming a good-enough-ist.

I started feeling anxious and awkward around other people when I was about 12. Or at least, that’s the first time I remember feeling that way. I would start hiding how I looked with hoodies and oversized t-shirts for fear of comments about my body. I wouldn’t talk about the things I loved, like Harry Potter or Marvel, because I was afraid that people would think I was weird for liking them or that I was talking too much. That feeling only grew until I was 14 and in second year. At that point, I’d had what I now know were panic attacks over grades in the middle of the hallways in school, or in loud, crowded queues in theme parks. This led to some long talks with my parents and failed meetings with my school counsellors, and I eventually decided it was time for me to try going to therapy.

My first therapy session

I still remember going to my first therapy session, almost four years ago now. I remember what I was wearing, what the room looked like, how I felt. It was an interesting experience, to say the least. The first few sessions were used for the two of us to get to know each other and to figure out why I was there. I tested fairly high on the anxiety scale and ever since then I’ve kept going. Two years later, I started going every fortnight rather than every week. My anxiety levels have gone up and down because of exams, issues with friends and just plain old bad days. For now though, they seem to have evened out for the most part. Although I am happy to say that the bad days have lessened and the panic attacks are few and far between, I still go to therapy every second Tuesday.

One of the best decisions

To this day, I still think that going to therapy was one of the best decisions I’ve made so far in life. From that first session that I went to, to the last one I attended, I’ve learned so many life skills and coping mechanisms that I use at least once a week. The part I like the most about going to therapy is that I don’t only use it to talk about the bad parts of my life. I talk to my therapist about everything, from simple things like my day at school, to how I’ve spoken in front of large crowds three times this year, something that 12 year old me would have broken down crying about.

At the start, the only people I told I was going to were my parents, my younger brother and my closest friends, although my younger sister figured it out eventually. I felt ashamed and I felt that people would judge me for having to get outside help for my mental health. Now I talk about it openly, like I was just going shopping, because there is no shame in getting the support you need.

Finding positive ways to cope

I’ve always said to my friends and family that if they can they should try therapy. Just once. Because to me, therapy is as much about celebrating the little, and big, things in life, as it is about finding coping mechanisms and figuring out the more complicated parts of life. It’s talking to someone who you know won’t judge you about anything, who won’t tell anyone about what you say or how you feel, who helps you understand yourself and your life, no matter whether the topic is about my mental health or a happy thing that happened to me. That’s why I think making that decision to go to therapy for the first time was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and why I keep going.

For many of us due to finish our college degrees this year, COVID-19 cut our plans short. As regular exams are changed to continuous assessment pieces and online exams, we are faced with the reality that the working landscape is changed immeasurably by the current situation. While there will undoubtedly be a period of financial recovery in the country, I think it’s important not to underestimate the potential that you have to get the career you want.

Things will go back to normal

Yes, it may take a little bit longer to secure the job of your dreams, but remember that you are now qualified. Despite being cheated out of the end of your college experience, you are now qualified. When life returns to normal, or the new version of normality, there will still be a need for your skills and expertise. Schools will return and they will once again need teachers, courts will resume and barristers and solicitors will be needed, technology development will continue and veterinary clinics will reopen to care for animals.

Be proactive and creative

Finishing college now means that we are entering into an unknown world, in terms of employment, but nothing was ever a guarantee. So start doing your research. Find out what companies or workplaces were advertising positions for people with your qualifications before the lockdown. Get in contact with those workplaces and tell them that when they resume, you are the answer to their staff shortage, you are the person that they need for that job. You have the same opportunity to convince them of your worth as you did before.

The worst case scenario is that there is not a position available in your area directly after the restrictions are lifted. If this is the case, don’t be afraid to broaden your horizons beyond your area of expertise or even the country. There are shortages of qualified people all over the world, as far as Dubai and Australia or as close as the United Kingdom.

I am a newly qualified teacher and there is no end to the uncertainty about contracts and securing schools for completing the teaching requirement hours. Despite this there are some opportunities on offer for teachers in Ireland. As I wanted to secure a job for September, in advance of the Summer, I started looking into teaching in the UK. There are countless schools in need of teachers less than two hours flight from Dublin. With the help of Engage Education Ireland, I secured a permanent position in an outstanding school. Despite the COVID-19 restrictions and despite the uncertainty, you can still apply and secure a job. You just have to get creative, maybe by using online recruitment companies.

Using the internet to your advantage

The internet, at this time, is the most important recruitment tool that we have. While we may not be able to physically attend interviews or complete job trials on site, we can use online applications. We can find a recruitment agency that works for us and we can attend interviews all over the world from the comfort of our sitting rooms.

There is no denying the challenges that lay ahead of us. We will always be the graduating class of 2020, the class that entered the working world during an incredibly financially uncertain time in history. But we are also the class of 2020 who graduate in spite of the upheaval. We prove our worth despite the barriers and we will find our place in the world of work, wherever that may be.

Being European has always been a part of who I am and the older I get the more grateful I become for being a part of it. Living in Ireland I feel like it’s more difficult to engage in the European Union as we are an island. It’s easy to focus on what’s going on in our own countries but I think being part of so many others is something much more special and brings endless opportunities.

Travelling around Europe

Being in the European Union means we can travel freely between European countries without a visa. Going on holidays has never been easier or cheaper for young adults. Last year I went to Prague for a weekend and it cost less than €200. Interrailing is a fantastic initiative where you can travel through Europe using the trains. Myself and a few friends had this opportunity after 6th year and it was one of the best experiences I’ve had. It makes you more independent and opens your eyes to different cultures.

Studying in Europe

Erasmus is also an amazing opportunity for anyone under the age of 30. Most third level students can choose to take a year out to go to another European country and continue their studies. This allows people to make new friends, explore new places and tell stories about it all when they go back to their countries. You can also take advantage of learning a new language in the place it’s spoken, surrounding yourself with locals makes it easier to learn. However Erasmus projects aren’t limited to that one year in university. There are hundreds of projects run throughout the year in all European countries. These can be from a weekend to year long projects funded by Erasmus+ and can range from various activities such as drama, climate action, mental health, youth work, sports and refugee support.

Endless opportunities

When I get to go to international events around Europe, I don’t feel like a foreigner, I feel at home. Meeting people with similar interests from different cultures and backgrounds is life changing. When everyone comes from a different country what brings us together is Europe. It’s a time where we can truly focus on sharing stories and learning about each other, making memories and friends for life. I’ve experienced this through model European Union’s where we can talk about our passions. There are endless amounts of opportunities to suit anyone’s interests.

What Europe really means to me is people coming together in solidarity. We can achieve great things together by listening to each other and understanding different ways people do things. For example at the Climate summit in Romania we discussed energy strategies I wouldn’t have even considered if I hadn’t opened my mind to what others are doing. When I finish my degree I hope to live in different European cities to experience how different people live and discover new ways we can work together.

I want other people to fall in love with Europe as I have. If you have the chance to travel, take it. If you see an application for an Erasmus project, you should apply if you can. If you want to learn a new language, go to where it is spoken. You never know the memories you will make or the opportunities that will follow you after.

The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic has really changed how we live over the last few weeks. Schools and colleges are closed, many people are now out of work or working from home, and we’ve all been asked to social distance from each other.

Some people are using this time to focus on new or old hobbies, connect with friends and family remotely, exercise, or just relax. For many people, the last few weeks have been difficult, both physically and mentally. Many people are anxious or stressed about the pandemic and the impact it is having, while uncertainty around jobs, exams and special occasions is worrying others.

How young people are managing during the COVID-19 pandemic

Young people across Ireland have been sharing their experiences, opinions and advice with us. Read articles from our volunteers on mental health, wellbeing, the Leaving Cert, how they’re spending their time at home, and their thoughts for the future.

Looking after your mental health

Taking care of your mental & physical wellbeing

Studying and exams

The Leaving Cert

Employment and unemployment

The impact on our society

Social distancing and staying at home

During these times of great uncertainty, it is not unusual to experience difficult emotions more often than usual and at a higher intensity. As we spend most of the day confined to our houses, we may find ourselves spending a lot more time worrying about the future or clashing with the people we live with. This can lead to feelings of fear, frustration, anger, anxiety and despair.

I think the first step to overcoming these emotions is to recognise that they are a completely normal response and to accept how you are feeling. In fact, being able to experience the full range of your emotions is quite healthy. That being said, there are times when these feelings may cause us a great deal of emotional stress and we need to do something to feel better.

Due to the ongoing restrictions on what we can and cannot do, many of the ways we coped with our emotions before the COVID-19 pandemic are currently not available to us. Luckily, there are still activities we can turn to that will help us to manage our response to these emotions and improve our ability to cope.

Here are some suggestions that I’ve found have helped me:

1. Pause and focus on the present moment

Take a few moments to become fully aware of your surroundings. Tune into your senses and notice two things for each sense. What can you see? What can you hear? What can you smell? Next, shift your attention to your breath and each time you breathe, visualise inhaling love and positivity and exhaling all your pent-up emotions. Becoming more present and observing your breath is a great way to reduce stress and slow down your racing mind.

2. Practice a hobby or doing something you enjoy

This could be reading a book, playing an instrument, listening to music, drawing, watching a funny movie, baking or anything else that brings you pleasure. Doing something that you enjoy is a wonderful way to counteract negative feelings and the perfect opportunity to prioritise some “me time” and get out of your own head.

3. Do some form of exercise

Stick your earphones in and take a walk, follow an online fitness class, go for a cycle or take your yoga mat out and stretch your body. Physical movement is often described as medicine because it benefits us in so many ways, both mentally and physically. Even though it can feel like such a struggle at times, the benefits of movement far outweigh the cost. The endorphins that exercise produces will improve your mood and give you a more positive outlook on the situation.

4. Be productive

If you’re in the mood for it, now is a good time to get on that to-do list and nip procrastination in the bud. If you have been putting off revising for an upcoming test, developing a difficult skill or learning a new language, now is the perfect time to lose yourself in a task that requires your full attention and focus. Not only will you distract yourself from whatever is on your mind, you will also feel a great sense of accomplishment for doing something challenging or something that you have been avoiding. Double score.

5. Practice gratitude

This might be the simplest of all the actions suggested, but it is also one of the most effective I think. By taking a few moments to recognise all the things you are grateful for, you often realise that things are not that bad after all. Being grateful for simple things like getting a good night’s sleep, a friend or tutor going the extra mile to help you out, or a delicious home-cooked meal can make you realise how lucky you are and in turn gives less importance to the things that are bothering you.

While these suggestions may seem simple, you would be surprised at how effective these can be. It does not really matter which action you take. What is important is that firstly, you decide to do something to interrupt an unhelpful train of thought, and secondly, you choose an activity that makes you feel good, not a distraction that is going to negatively affect your mood or wellbeing.

This global health crisis is impacting us all in different ways, but we can take control of how we react to this obstacle. Starting from today, accept what is happening, accept how it is making you feel, and then make the decision to handle those feelings by taking action!

On the 12th of March 2020, we were faced with the news of COVID-19 and the restrictions that were being brought in. After the initial shock wore off, many of us set off to search for things to do at home, things to keep ourselves busy. Some people took up running, studying, gardening, baking. Some vowed to maintain and renew contact with friends and family. Others turned to awakening their inner child and spent their time playing their old Nintendo, Wii, Xbox or simple board games.

Staying at home and social distancing is difficult and at the beginning. It felt really important to take up new hobbies, return to old ones or do anything else in order to manage. While my time staying at home hasn’t been the best time of my life, it also wasn’t the worst. I carved out a significant amount of time for myself, my mental health and my interests.

 

Thinking about our busy lives

 

After Taoiseach Leo Varadkar announced the overview of the reopening phases, I felt anxious. At first, I wasn’t sure why, however after a while, I realised that on the 1st of September, the stress of the Leaving Certificate will take over and my life will be consumed with study and pressure. I’ll have no time for hobbies. While I’m excited for this to finally be over, I am a little worried that perhaps in the midst of my soon-to-be-busy life, I’ll forget to make time for myself and my needs.

 

Focusing on my creative side

 

After the announcement on Good Friday, I decided that I don’t want to waste my time anymore. However, I didn’t choose to train for a marathon or learn a language or read five books in a week. I decided to try something as simple as colouring. It can be typically seen as a childish activity but it managed to ease my stress. Afterwards, I continued relying on activities, that awakened my inner child, for comfort and fun. I bought a 1000 piece Disney jigsaw and focused more on creative self care.I made self care bingos, challenges, habit trackers.I found that it was important for me to embrace and accept the impact of COVID-19, so I cut out images from an old magazine and stuck them on two A3 pages. On one page, I had everything I’m looking forward to doing when the restrictions are lifted and on the second page, I had images of things that I can do while social distancing.

In relation to connecting with people, I called my Granny (who lives abroad) more often. I had Zoom quiz nights with my friends and online board game nights. My parents weren’t huge fans of letting me out for walks by myself, so I had to go with them. Initially, I wasn’t keen on the idea however now, I hope to continue it after self isolation. I began stretching in the morning right after I woke up and in the evening, right before I went to bed. I spent more time with my family and allowed them to get to know me better.

As I am interested in History, I took pictures of COVID-19 signs, the lengthy queues outside of Lidl, and empty playgrounds to try and document this pandemic. In an attempt to see the good in my life, I began writing down one or two good things that happened to me everyday during lockdown and dropped them into a jar. Come 8th of June, I will open the jar and remember all the good days I had during this unprecedented event.

 

Keeping up our positive habits

 

Although we can’t wait until the pandemic is finished and until we can finally hug our family, our friends, our partners, let’s not forget some of the good habits we may have gained because of this. Let’s not forget how much we like to run, colour, paint, make jigsaws, play board games, spend Sunday afternoons with our families. Let’s make sure to be grateful for every little thing we took for granted before COVID-19 and make sure to create space for these new habits in our lives. Let’s remember to make time for ourselves when we return to our hectic lives. Let’s remember this time when we return back to normal.

 

The Leaving Cert has been cancelled and replaced with a predicted grades system. The Government confirmed the decision after a Cabinet meeting on the morning of May 8th.

Leaving Cert Examinations 2020 cancelled 

The news is welcomed by thousands of Leaving Cert students across the country who have been demanding more detail on how the exams could be run safely and what changes would have been made to the timetable and exam structure if they were to go ahead.

How will predicted grades work? 

Leaving Cert students will be awarded points or grades by their schools based on a combination of their class rankings, performance in previous exams and assessments and other indicators.

Teachers will input into the process but it will be overseen by school principals and senior management. These grades will then be submitted to the Department of Education where students’ final grades could be awarded along a “bell curve” and using school indicators.

Read more about how predicted grades will work in our full guide here.

The news comes as Teachers’ Unions expressed concerns about the safety implications of the exams going ahead in July and after a survey by the Irish Second Level Students Union (ISSU) found 79% of students were in support of abandoning the Leaving Cert in favour of predicted grades.

Details on when results will be made available to students and when college places will be allocated are still being worked on by the Department.

SpunOut.ie responds to cancellation on Leaving Cert Exams 

“We welcome this conclusion to the uncertainty around the Leaving Cert for the many thousands of students who have been worried about the impact this disruption could have on their futures” said Ian Power, CEO of SpunOut.ie

“It was clear it was becoming increasingly unfair on students to ask them to wait until June for details on how the exams could go ahead safely and in what form”.

“The allocation of predicted grades must be transparent, as fair as possible, and take into account the disruption to students’ education in any distribution of grades along a bell curve or in using school indicators. This is particularly important for all the students who may not go directly into further education and enter the world of work.”

“Around half of all students received their first preference CAO choice in 2018 and 2019 and this will be a helpful way to measure the success of this system.”

“We are also very hopeful the Government will provide certainty to the many Leaving Cert Applied students around the country who are still unclear how their qualifications will be awarded. They must be treated with equal priority in this process.”

Feeling overwhelmed or anxious?

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What is Europe Day?

Europe Day, on the 9th of May every year, is dedicated to celebrating peace and unity in Europe and the European Union. The date marks the ‘Schuman Declaration’ in 1950, where the French Foreign Minister put forward his ideas of political cooperation in Europe following the damage done during World War Two, promoting peace and cooperation between nations, and ensuring war would be impossible again.

This declaration led to the formation of the European Coal & Steel Community, which transformed into the European Economic Community. Since 1993, it has been known as the European Union, with 27 member states including Ireland being part of the single market and free movement of people.

Despite issues such as COVID-19 and Brexit, it’s clear to see that European countries have come together to solve common issues for its citizens and joint decisions can be made to benefit all its member citizens.

What does this mean as a young person?

For young people, it can be a reminder of the kind of opportunities there are for young people to feel active as a European citizen and be active in a wider context with other young people.

I am a Eurodesk Ireland Ambassador. Eurodesk is a European Youth Information website and being an Ambassador for them has made me realise up about how much opportunities there are to get involved in Europe and a reminder of what Europe used to be in its history, from World War Two and the Cold War, to now free movement across member states and the ability to work and study without needing a visa.

Some of the Eurodesk initiatives for young people can include the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), which allows young people to volunteer abroad for weeks or months in another EU country only a few clicks away from reality. It can also be simple steps, such as emailing your Member of the European Parliament (MEP) to ask them to speak up on issues that you feel passionate about, such as climate action, migration or consumer rights online.

Why I’m passionate about Europe

Being able to connect with young people all across Europe is an amazing experience. The ability to share a common identity as a European citizen is unique and makes a connection that would not be possible otherwise.

Sometimes Brussels (and Strasbourg!) feel so far away and difficult for young people to engage with what happens there. Yet, by meeting MEPs, connecting with young people through Model European Unions and the European Youth Event, even if online now, can still create the excitement of many people coming together.

Most of all, if you are fortunate to have a Europe Direct Information Centre near to where you live, it can be a great way to ask any question about the European Union and opportunities for young people. My local one allowed me to ask MEPs questions directly and engage in workshops, with the European Commission ensuring to follow up and even invite me to Brussels in the future.

I would urge anyone who is passionate about Europe to make sure they celebrate Europe Day and how much it means to them. Despite its issues, Europe Day allows us to look back on the European Union, what it was meant to solve, and how it has ensured peace on the continent for decades. Young people are the future of the European Union, so it is important that we make sure our future is brighter than ever.

From the age of 12, I suffered with severe acne. Transitioning from primary school to secondary school was hard enough, but having a lack of confidence due to my acne didn’t help. I tried almost everything to clear my skin; tea tree oil, sudocream, face masks, I drank more water, I went outside more. I did almost everything but nothing seemed to work.

The impact on my confidence

I lacked confidence due to my acne. It was really difficult to hear people complaining about how “bad” their skin was, by only having one or two spots, while my face was covered in them. I was constantly comparing my skin to others. Putting on makeup did nothing but draw more attention to my spots. I was emotionally drained from having acne. Acne can have a massive impact on your self esteem and confidence and not many people realise this. Early teenage years are tough enough as it is, without having severe acne on top of everything. Looks shouldn’t play a vital role in our society, but when it’s your looks it can be ’s vital to you. So the next time you meet somebody with acne, be more empathetic towards them, because it’s something a lot of people internally struggle with.

Going to a dermatologist

It was not until I was 14, that I was brought to a dermatologist who recommended to me an intense medication, that I was to go on for nine months. I was terrified as I had to make the choice whether I wanted to take this medication, that is known for being slow burning with harsh side effects, such as extremely dry and sensitive skin and very low moods. Or just take the risk and see if my acne would somehow calm down. I was extremely apprehensive about taking it, but knew it was for the best.

Thankfully I decided to take the medication. The nine months I was taking the medication were some of the toughest months of my life. The side effects were very difficult to deal with and I only started seeing results by month five. But those nine months paid off and my acne cleared up. I was over the moon with the results and could feel my confidence boosting again. Sadly, this clear skin and confidence only lasted about a year. In early 2018, my acne returned. And this time it was worse. The thought of having to go on the medication for a second time was upsetting and frustrating. For the majority of people, one course of the medication is sufficient to clear up their skin forever. But for me, it was second time unlucky.

Second time lucky?

At the beginning of the year, I met with my dermatologist again, and he decided to put me on the same medication for the second time, but on a higher and stronger dosage. This meant the side effects would be harsher, and the process would be even slower than the first time. I was determined not to let my acne defeat me. If this meant going through a painful journey for the second time, I was willing to do it. It felt as though my acne would be a never ending cycle and a constant battle. I wasn’t sure how much more treatment I could take. But by the end of 2018, I had clear skin once again. And thankfully I can say still to this day, I have clear skin.

Now, after having all my treatment this doesn’t mean my skin is flawless. I’ve multiple scars on my face from picking at spots which has also led to blemishes. I still get the odd few spots, but that’s completely natural as I am a teenager. Thankfully though, my skin is nothing like what it used to be. I used to look in the mirror and completely break down because of my acne. Friends and family would compliment me, maybe on my smile or eyes, but all I could see were intense red lumps and bumps all over my face. Having acne was something I had to deal with everyday for years. Now I look in the mirror and I’ve accepted the little scars and blemishes, because it’s a part of me and now I’m confident in my own skin.

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