Over 2,500 students in Meath prepare to sit Leaving Cert

Over 2,500 Meath students are making last minute preparations ahead of the 2026 Leaving Certificate exams starting tomorrow (Wednesday 3rd June). The day will also see the beginning of the Junior Certificate, with an estimated 3,000 students around the county getting their first taste of state exams.

Ahead of what can be a challenging and demanding week for students across the county, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Meath East TD, Helen McEntee shared some words of encouragement.

“I want to wish all of our Leaving Cert and Junior Cert students every success as you kick off your exams. I know, for all of you, much of the hard work is done at this stage, but I just wanted to say, keep calm, keep focused, and try to get a good night’s sleep tonight. The very best of luck to all of you.”

Although the Leaving Cert is something that different generations have tackled for over 100 years, challenges experienced by the students have changed over time. This includes a fresh set of obstacles to overcome since 2020, as the Covid-19 pandemic truly spelled a new era for the exams.

Beaufort College’s Marie Russell, a guidance counsellor in the Navan secondary school, sat down with the Meath Chronicle to discuss how Leaving Certificate students are still wrestling with impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic, and the unique challenges their generation faces.

One hundred and sixty five students from Beaufort College will be undergoing the senior cycle tests in Navan.

“They're very well prepared,” Russell, based in Athboy, said. “We still see them as being impacted by the pandemic. In their first year, it was the final phase of Covid, so they came in with masks and certain restrictions. So we do see that as having an impact in terms of maybe their maturity, but then also a spike of use in devices.”

In terms of direct impact from the pandemic, assessment adjustments have been the most notable, according to the counsellor. “Last year was the first group that we saw impacted, somewhat unfairly, by the removal of the grade inflation. So, we saw firsthand students who got in excess of 530 points not getting their course.”

On top of the gradual moves to return examinations back to pre-Covid practice, many other factors have made themselves relevant in relation to secondary school students doing tests.

“Technology has transformed how they prepare for exams. There’s positives and negatives. They have access to unbelievable study resources that wouldn't have existed before. They're almost overexposed, but some of the platforms are amazing.”

Russell added: “They mightn’t be working as hard because other things are working a little bit harder for them. Maybe their mindset is a little bit different. I suppose the world has worked harder for them as opposed to 10 years ago. They were maybe putting in more manual work.”

As well as technology changing preparations for exams, students’ lives are also being ‘intensely’ impacted by the likes of social media influence, for the better and for the worst.

Looking at it from emotional and social standpoints, Russell said the pressure that can come from online influence is ‘inquantifiable’ and “kids have more to compare themselves to than ever before”.

She says schools across the country have dealt with more anxiety and attendance issues since returning from Covid restrictions.

Describing it as a ‘double-edged sword’, the Beaufort College faculty member said: “There is a conception that anxiety is new… It has definitely been amplified. We're talking about it more though, I've noticed that in the last 10 years. There used to be more of a reluctance to refer yourself to come and speak to a guidance counsellor.”

She added, students’ perception of anxiety can be ‘skewed’ by the short-form content alongside other important factors, such as career aspirations.

“I think Reels are the biggest bane of our time. There's no depth to the output that you're getting. It's almost stupefying whatever information you're receiving. You could watch a short reel on a career, for example, and they think they know everything.”

Recent career concerns being brought to Russell’s counsellor’s office include AI, financial security, and even the property ladder. “They are very concerned. They are overthinking and they want security and stability - and they want it now. If you pick a course purely for that, is it really the right course for you?”

Education is no stranger to new challenges, such as the aforementioned changes, Russell explained. However, there have still been some hills to climb since 2020.

“It’s been an experience keeping up with it after COVID, but you adapt. In the education space things change all the time. There's always issues with attendance.

“There's always issues with anxiety, with well-being. All these issues are there. We catch breath at the end of a semester, or a year, and then go, ‘How did we do?’”