Key things to consider when choosing subjects for Leaving Cert

At this time of the year students in 3rd and transition year are being asked to choose the subjects they wish to study in senior cycle. It can be a stressful time for students and parents who are concerned that choices made at this stage could have an impact on course and career choices after the Leaving Cert. My first piece of advice to parents is to make sure you attend the information meeting about senior cycle options in the school as you will get detailed information about the different subjects available to senior cycle students, as well as guidance on entry requirements for the various pathways. Typically students taking the traditional Leaving Cert take the three compulsory subjects on Maths, English and Irish (unless they have an exemption) and four optional subjects from the list on offer in the school. It can be difficult for students at fifteen or sixteen to know what career direction they would like to take after school, that’s very normal. Some may have an idea about a broad area of interest like science, business, health, engineering, etc while many have no idea at all. There are a few things that might help with making decisions about subject choice.

What to consider when choosing optional subjects -

First think about the subjects you like and what you are good at as you will work hard on them and have a good chance of getting good grades. They are also likely to influence the choices you make later regarding college courses and other education and training options. Consider also subjects you really don’t like and struggle with, this is the chance to leave them behind. What you need to watch out for are the minimum entry requirements for various higher education institutions (HEIs) as you will need to meet them in order to be considered for entry to college and universities when you apply through the Central Applications Office (CAO). Check what the requirement is around having a third language. You can check them out in the undergraduate section of college websites and on specific course pages. There is also a very useful subject requirement module on www.qualifax.ie which allows you to check what courses require particular subjects such as chemistry or another laboratory science. On www.careersportal.ie there are lots of helpful tips on subject choice as well as a guide to the Leaving Cert subjects where you can explore the content of the subjects at senior cycle. The site also has an excellent course finder facility, where you can do a general search of courses by keyword and use the filter to narrow down the search to particular subject areas, locations and requirements.

For students who are interested in pursuing courses in science or health it is advisable to take at least one laboratory science subject and recommended to take two. Anyone interested in the practical, design, technology or engineering areas should ensure they have at least one of the relevant subjects but again it helps to have more. If you really don’t have an idea of what you want to do after school then choose a broad range of subjects so you keep as many options open as you can. Consider taking one option from the following - a language, a science, a business subject, a practical or humanities based subject. Talking to your guidance counsellor in school is a huge help as he/she will be able to explore your interests, strengths, aptitudes and past performance in subjects with you as well as answer any questions you have about requirements for courses and colleges. It can also be really helpful to talk to subject teachers. Make sure to look closely at what is involved in the subjects you are choosing and that you have a genuine interest in taking it up or continuing with it in senior cycle as subjects are studied at a more intense and detailed way in 5th and 6th year. They also give you a great foundation in areas that you may progress onto after school so it is worth the effort to give it some serious thought, do your research and keep your options open at this stage.