1. Second Year Subject Choice 2016 M. O’ Mahony: Guidance Counsellor

2.  Students coming to the end of their first year  Made new friends and developed new interests  Adapted to how the school works, rules etc.  Studied new subjects for the first time  The future….2 nd year….SUBJECT CHOICES?

3. 1 st years have studied the full core curriculum of 11 subjects: Irish* English Maths History Geography Civic Social and Political Education (C.S.P.E.) Social Personal and Health Education (S.P.H.E) Religious Education Physical Education Science A language

4. In addition to the core curriculum above students have taken additional optional subjects ◦ French or German or Spanish Art and Design Music Business Studies Music Home Economics, Design & Communication Graphics, Materials Technology (Wood), Metalwork (Materials & Tech)

5. Core Curriculum (9): All students study: Irish* English Maths History Geography Civic Social and Political Education (C.S.P.E.) Religious Education. Social, Personal and Health Education (S.P.H.E) Physical Education (P.E.) NON-EXAM SUBJECTS: P.E. and S.P.H.E.

6. From the following list students do 4 subjects. Modern Languages: French, German or Spanish Science. Business Studies. Art and Design Music Home Economics Technical Graphics Materials Technology (Wood) Metalwork (Materials & Tech)

7.  9 core subjects + 4 optional =13.  Doing 14 in 1 st year =  They are dropping 1 subject going into 2 nd yr.  Student must have studied a subject in 1 st year in order to take it up in 2 ND year.  How do you decide?

8. Choose subjects  you found interesting and enjoyable  What are your strengths?  Think about a future career.  Do NOT choose a subject because your friend is doing it…. Don’t be a sheep!!

9.  A Modern European Language is required for entry to any N.U.I. college: e.g. U.C.C., U.C.D., N.U.I. Maynooth & Galway.  Non-N.U.I. colleges: modern language not required e.g. U.L. or any I.T. Exceptions: Do not need a modern language to study in the areas of Science, Engineering, Food Science, Ag. Science and Nursing.

10. Science  Most Science, Engineering, Medicine and Para- medical honours degree courses require students to have at least one Science subject.  L.C. Science Subjects: = Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Ag. Science.

11. Not a required subject but very helpful for certain courses: Home Economics: Food Science, Nutritionist, Catering, Dietician. Art and Design: Art college, Fashion/Product/Graphic Design, Primary teaching, Manufacturing, Web development, Architecture Technical Graphics: Architecture, Engineering, Product Design Business Studies: Commerce, Accounting, Teaching

12.  Ideally the subjects you choose for your Leaving Cert. should be in the area of subjects you studied for your Junior Cert.

13. SCIENCE Chemistry Physics Biology …………………………………………………………………………….. METALWORK Engineering WOODWORK Construction Studies TECHNICAL GRAPHICS Design Communications Graphics ART, CRAFT & DESIGN Art & Art History BUSINESS Accounting Economics Business

14.  Non-exam year….. BUT….

15.  Junior Cycle programme is 3 years long: e.g. HISTORY 1 st year: up to the Renaissance 2 nd year: Middle Ages 3 rd year: 20 th century Ireland/Europe All 3 years will be examined in the Junior Cert.

16. REVISION

17.  As well as doing nightly homework, revision for Summer exams must be taking place also.  Success in the summer exams is very important for 2 nd year e.g.Higher vs. Ordinary level for J.C.

18.  Regular review of work done in class  Short vs. Long Term memory SHORT TERM MEMORY LONG TERM MEMORY The brain needs to see a thing 5 times, briefly but frequently, to transfer it from short to long term memory

19. 1. Balance work with leisure. 2. Eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water Water Fizzy drinks Caffeine

20. Get plenty of sleep Recommended: 8-10 hours A majority of adolescents report sleep durations of fewer than 7 hours a night. "Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleeve of care The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course, Chief nourisher in life's feast."- William Shakespeare, Macbeth

21. You are:  Tired  unfocused  Don’t listen well  Grades will suffer “Students who earned C’s, D’s and E’s in exams reported 25 minutes less sleep, on school-nights and went to bed later on school nights, than students who earned A’s and B’s”. (Dehmler, 2009)

22. Technology in your bedroom  Laptop  mobile phone  t.v.  computer games  Social Media websites

23. Students who had a t.v., computer or mobile phone in their bedroom:  go to bed later, spend less time sleeping, wake up later on weekends and are more tired than other children.  35% of the adolescents who reported being “very tired” were using a mobile phone after lights out.  Text messages woke 25% of the youngest and almost 50% of the eldest adolescents during the night.

24. THE FUTURE:  P articipants who watched three or more hours of television per night during adolescence were at significantly elevated risk for frequent sleep problems during early adulthood  Time spent on Social Media website can cost students up to 100 points in the Leaving Cert.

25.  Subject Teacher  Guidance Counsellors Ms. Farrell: 1.1…1.2…1.3…1.4 Ms. O’ Mahony: 1.5…1.6…1.7…1.8  Text Books & Exam Questions  College Prospectuses and websites e.g. www.qualifax.ie www.careersportal.iewww.qualifax.iewww.careersportal.ie School website: www.mercymounthawk.iewww.mercymounthawk.ie

26.  AIM FOR: Organised study and revision Fresh air, fruit & veg., water. Technology free time before & during sleep  My wish for you: Health and happiness on your journey.