Towards the end of third year, Miss Murtagh wanted us to complete a personal statement. In this we had to write the main reasons we wanted to do TY, my overall aim for the year, my five main objectives and why I was suited to TY. I had to say what I was good at academically and personally.
In my personal statement I said that I wanted to become more confident, more organised and to be better prepared for my Leaving Cert. I hoped that the year break would also help me to choose my subject choices more confidently.
Now as there are only 2 weeks left of Transition year, I decided to reflect on my year and my personal statement. As I have stated before, I really wanted to improve my confidence this year. Looking back on the last few months I am definitely a more confident student today. I can thank many of the activities we completed in TY. These include Alan Devine Public Speaking, our musical 'GAA With a Twist' and GAA Future Leaders Programme.
Firstly, in the Alan Devine Public Speaking I thought that he was the most confident man in the world. He thought us all his secret on how he pretended to be confident and soon he no longer had to pretend. When I first heard this I didn't think I'd be able to do it. But with help from Alan and some of my fellow classmates I found myself able to stand in front of the class and speak without fear of judgement.
The Gaa Future Leaders was an amazing experience for me personally. This was probably my favorite part of transition year. I loved helping out the 1st and 2nd years to improve their skills. I also had so much fun working with a few of the other Ty’s too. This really helped me improve my group work and communication skills. Whenever someone was missing we always had a back up plan. This shows me how much more responsible and mature we have become.
Our Transition year musical has also helped me gain confidence, team work and has also helped me to mature. Although I didn't have a major role I had the responsibility to learn all the songs, the dances and help out on set. I really enjoyed being trusted with this responsibility. I really enjoyed working with my fellow Transition year students. Thanks to Mr Coughlan, Miss Coyle, Miss Murtagh and Miss Lohan, all Transition Year students had an amazing night and I know that I will never forget it.
I took time in transition year to build up my CV as I know that I will be very busy in the next two years. I have completed two work experiences, trained a Camogie team, took part in Red Cross, worked in the Lighthouse Leaders Programmer and the GAA future leaders programme. I really liked building up my CV and it made me feel very proud of myself. It is nice to have something to show for all the hard work I did this year.
Throughout the year, I tried to take part in as many activities in the school as possible. Some of these include 'Suzie Mahoney Hat Making', 'Poetry Slam', 'Dancing With Angela Didak', Circuits with the first and second years during feel good week, our trip to Delphi, 'The Healthy Lifestyle Programme', 'Alan Devine Public Speaking', Anne Hall Nutrition, Chalk Painting, Fota Wildlife Park and the list goes on and on. I really tried to make as much out of Transition year as I could. Not only in school activities but also in my work experiences and first aid.
Another thing that I have achieved in TY is I have become more prepared for my Leaving Cert. Towards the end of third year I was very unsure of what subjects I wanted to do. I had no idea what course I wanted to do in college or what topics I was interested in. From doing many new subjects in Transition year, help from the guidance councillor and help from my teachers I have now decided what subjects I'm planning on doing. I am feeling less nervous about the Leaving Cert.
I also took part in the Fainne. After completing lot of folklore on Duchas.ie all my work finally payed off when the two examiners presented us with our Fainne. I personally was very proud of this award because I really like Irish. Throughout the Junior Cert Irish was one of my fab outfits subjects. After getting an A in higher level Irish in the Junior Cert, I was very determined to receive this award.
At the start of the year I had a list of five personal objectives I had for Transition year and I am happy when I say that I achieved these to the best of my ability. I wanted to be put outside my comfort zone in TY and do things I never thought I could. For example, the high ropes in Delphi and the surfing. I learned how to work many different editing and filming application and I made a website in IT. I made a phone cover in construction and I learned so amny new recipes in home ec. These experiences will definitely help me in life. Everything I have learned this year is very valuable to me. Next year I will miss the extra classes such as construction, Music, Home economics and IT that I got to experience for the first time this year.
Overall, I really enjoyed my year in TY. In September, I had no idea how much this year would help me. I have changed so much as a person. I am very happy with my decision to do Transition year and would definitely recommend it to anyone willing to put in the effort.
Marian Duffy
In my personal statement I said that I wanted to become more confident, more organised and to be better prepared for my Leaving Cert. I hoped that the year break would also help me to choose my subject choices more confidently.
Now as there are only 2 weeks left of Transition year, I decided to reflect on my year and my personal statement. As I have stated before, I really wanted to improve my confidence this year. Looking back on the last few months I am definitely a more confident student today. I can thank many of the activities we completed in TY. These include Alan Devine Public Speaking, our musical 'GAA With a Twist' and GAA Future Leaders Programme.
Firstly, in the Alan Devine Public Speaking I thought that he was the most confident man in the world. He thought us all his secret on how he pretended to be confident and soon he no longer had to pretend. When I first heard this I didn't think I'd be able to do it. But with help from Alan and some of my fellow classmates I found myself able to stand in front of the class and speak without fear of judgement.
The Gaa Future Leaders was an amazing experience for me personally. This was probably my favorite part of transition year. I loved helping out the 1st and 2nd years to improve their skills. I also had so much fun working with a few of the other Ty’s too. This really helped me improve my group work and communication skills. Whenever someone was missing we always had a back up plan. This shows me how much more responsible and mature we have become.
Our Transition year musical has also helped me gain confidence, team work and has also helped me to mature. Although I didn't have a major role I had the responsibility to learn all the songs, the dances and help out on set. I really enjoyed being trusted with this responsibility. I really enjoyed working with my fellow Transition year students. Thanks to Mr Coughlan, Miss Coyle, Miss Murtagh and Miss Lohan, all Transition Year students had an amazing night and I know that I will never forget it.
I took time in transition year to build up my CV as I know that I will be very busy in the next two years. I have completed two work experiences, trained a Camogie team, took part in Red Cross, worked in the Lighthouse Leaders Programmer and the GAA future leaders programme. I really liked building up my CV and it made me feel very proud of myself. It is nice to have something to show for all the hard work I did this year.
Throughout the year, I tried to take part in as many activities in the school as possible. Some of these include 'Suzie Mahoney Hat Making', 'Poetry Slam', 'Dancing With Angela Didak', Circuits with the first and second years during feel good week, our trip to Delphi, 'The Healthy Lifestyle Programme', 'Alan Devine Public Speaking', Anne Hall Nutrition, Chalk Painting, Fota Wildlife Park and the list goes on and on. I really tried to make as much out of Transition year as I could. Not only in school activities but also in my work experiences and first aid.
Another thing that I have achieved in TY is I have become more prepared for my Leaving Cert. Towards the end of third year I was very unsure of what subjects I wanted to do. I had no idea what course I wanted to do in college or what topics I was interested in. From doing many new subjects in Transition year, help from the guidance councillor and help from my teachers I have now decided what subjects I'm planning on doing. I am feeling less nervous about the Leaving Cert.
I also took part in the Fainne. After completing lot of folklore on Duchas.ie all my work finally payed off when the two examiners presented us with our Fainne. I personally was very proud of this award because I really like Irish. Throughout the Junior Cert Irish was one of my fab outfits subjects. After getting an A in higher level Irish in the Junior Cert, I was very determined to receive this award.
At the start of the year I had a list of five personal objectives I had for Transition year and I am happy when I say that I achieved these to the best of my ability. I wanted to be put outside my comfort zone in TY and do things I never thought I could. For example, the high ropes in Delphi and the surfing. I learned how to work many different editing and filming application and I made a website in IT. I made a phone cover in construction and I learned so amny new recipes in home ec. These experiences will definitely help me in life. Everything I have learned this year is very valuable to me. Next year I will miss the extra classes such as construction, Music, Home economics and IT that I got to experience for the first time this year.
Overall, I really enjoyed my year in TY. In September, I had no idea how much this year would help me. I have changed so much as a person. I am very happy with my decision to do Transition year and would definitely recommend it to anyone willing to put in the effort.
Marian Duffy