Donegal Daily
  • News
  • Sport
    • Athletics

      Williamson wins Furey Insurance Buncrana 5k

      15 hours ago

      Golf

      Cloughaneely Golf Club to celebrate 25th anniversary…

      1 day ago

      Sport

      Darragh Kelly added to Bellator Dublin card

      2 days ago

      Rugby

      Letterkenny girls play in front of huge…

      2 days ago

      Athletics

      Williamson wins Furey Insurance Buncrana 5k

      15 hours ago

      Athletics

      RunDonegal Women’s 5K next Sunday to benefit…

      2 weeks ago

      Athletics

      Pictures: Claire McGuigan is ‘first lady’ in…

      2 weeks ago

      Athletics

      Ireland’s first World Cup mountain race to…

      2 weeks ago

      Boxing

      Venue swap for Brett McGinty fight next…

      1 week ago

      Boxing

      Donegal boxers claim Ulster 9 County titles…

      1 week ago

      Boxing

      Brett McGinty to return to boxing in…

      3 weeks ago

      Boxing

      Night of Support being held for West…

      3 weeks ago

      Football

      Carl McHugh scores to help his side…

      2 days ago

      Football

      Former Finn Harps striker Tunde Owolabi scores…

      3 days ago

      Football

      Harps suffer fourth consecutive defeat as Dundalk…

      3 days ago

      Football

      No time to ‘feel sorry for ourselves’…

      4 days ago

      GAA

      Picture special: Donegal fans in Clones for…

      4 days ago

      GAA

      Podcast reveals how French company thought they’d…

      4 days ago

      GAA

      Donegal Ladies defeated in Ulster final by…

      4 days ago

      GAA

      ‘Sometimes sport can be cruel’ – Luke…

      4 days ago

      Golf

      Cloughaneely Golf Club to celebrate 25th anniversary…

      1 day ago

      Golf

      McDonald’s manager Victor Byrne supporting a charity…

      4 days ago

      Golf

      Prize fund of €2,500 for Letterkenny Golf…

      1 week ago

      Golf

      Top 10 finish for Ryan Griffin in…

      1 week ago

      Hockey

      Four Donegal players named in Ireland hockey…

      4 weeks ago

      Hockey

      Hockey: Raphoe go down fighting

      2 months ago

      Hockey

      Hockey: Raphoe lose out in crucial relegation…

      2 months ago

      Hockey

      Raphoe Ladies reach Irish Hockey Trophy final

      3 months ago

      GAA

      Match Report – Casey inspires Tyrone in…

      2 weeks ago

      GAA

      Mickey McCann reacts to heartbreaking defeat to…

      2 weeks ago

      Hurling

      Brave Donegal hurlers miss out on another…

      2 weeks ago

      Hurling

      SHL – Strong second half sees St…

      2 weeks ago

      Rugby

      Letterkenny girls play in front of huge…

      2 days ago

      Rugby

      Donegal girls feature for Ulster in provincial…

      3 weeks ago

      Rugby

      Last gasp drop goal clinches dramatic Gordon…

      1 month ago

      Rugby

      Donegal girls selected for underage Ulster Rugby…

      1 month ago

  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Travel
  • Features
  • Business
  • Property
  • Council News
  • Politics
  • More
    • Advertise with us
    • Haircare
    • Cooking
    • DD Pets
    • Hairdressing
    • Motors
Friday 12°CSaturday 15°C

Donegal Daily Donegal Daily

  • News
  • Sport
    • Athletics

      Williamson wins Furey Insurance Buncrana 5k

      15 hours ago

      Golf

      Cloughaneely Golf Club to celebrate 25th anniversary…

      1 day ago

      Sport

      Darragh Kelly added to Bellator Dublin card

      2 days ago

      Rugby

      Letterkenny girls play in front of huge…

      2 days ago

      Athletics

      Williamson wins Furey Insurance Buncrana 5k

      15 hours ago

      Athletics

      RunDonegal Women’s 5K next Sunday to benefit…

      2 weeks ago

      Athletics

      Pictures: Claire McGuigan is ‘first lady’ in…

      2 weeks ago

      Athletics

      Ireland’s first World Cup mountain race to…

      2 weeks ago

      Boxing

      Venue swap for Brett McGinty fight next…

      1 week ago

      Boxing

      Donegal boxers claim Ulster 9 County titles…

      1 week ago

      Boxing

      Brett McGinty to return to boxing in…

      3 weeks ago

      Boxing

      Night of Support being held for West…

      3 weeks ago

      Football

      Carl McHugh scores to help his side…

      2 days ago

      Football

      Former Finn Harps striker Tunde Owolabi scores…

      3 days ago

      Football

      Harps suffer fourth consecutive defeat as Dundalk…

      3 days ago

      Football

      No time to ‘feel sorry for ourselves’…

      4 days ago

      GAA

      Picture special: Donegal fans in Clones for…

      4 days ago

      GAA

      Podcast reveals how French company thought they’d…

      4 days ago

      GAA

      Donegal Ladies defeated in Ulster final by…

      4 days ago

      GAA

      ‘Sometimes sport can be cruel’ – Luke…

      4 days ago

      Golf

      Cloughaneely Golf Club to celebrate 25th anniversary…

      1 day ago

      Golf

      McDonald’s manager Victor Byrne supporting a charity…

      4 days ago

      Golf

      Prize fund of €2,500 for Letterkenny Golf…

      1 week ago

      Golf

      Top 10 finish for Ryan Griffin in…

      1 week ago

      Hockey

      Four Donegal players named in Ireland hockey…

      4 weeks ago

      Hockey

      Hockey: Raphoe go down fighting

      2 months ago

      Hockey

      Hockey: Raphoe lose out in crucial relegation…

      2 months ago

      Hockey

      Raphoe Ladies reach Irish Hockey Trophy final

      3 months ago

      GAA

      Match Report – Casey inspires Tyrone in…

      2 weeks ago

      GAA

      Mickey McCann reacts to heartbreaking defeat to…

      2 weeks ago

      Hurling

      Brave Donegal hurlers miss out on another…

      2 weeks ago

      Hurling

      SHL – Strong second half sees St…

      2 weeks ago

      Rugby

      Letterkenny girls play in front of huge…

      2 days ago

      Rugby

      Donegal girls feature for Ulster in provincial…

      3 weeks ago

      Rugby

      Last gasp drop goal clinches dramatic Gordon…

      1 month ago

      Rugby

      Donegal girls selected for underage Ulster Rugby…

      1 month ago

  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Travel
  • Features
  • Business
  • Property
  • Council News
  • Politics
  • More
    • Advertise with us
    • Haircare
    • Cooking
    • DD Pets
    • Hairdressing
    • Motors
Career GuidanceEducationNews

Career Guidance with Rory White: How to make successful subject choices

written by Rory White March 1, 2020
Facebook0Tweet0LinkedIn0Print0

This week, Career Guidance Counsellor Rory White shares information to help students make a success of subject choices.

Although most 3rd Year students have just completed their mock exams and are preparing for the real thing in June, attention now also needs to turn to some very important decisions regarding preparation for entering into Senior Cycle. 

There are lots of factors to consider so it is important that students (and parents) do their research in order to make an informed decision.  

Firstly, students need to decide which programme they intend to study after 3rd Year.  Depending on the programmes your school offers, there are three options here.

 

  • The traditional Leaving Certificate (LC)
  • The Leaving Certificate Applied (LCA) 

More info here- www.curriculumonline.ie/Senior-cycle/LCA

  • Transition Year (TY) 

More info here- www.ncca.ie/en/senior-cycle/programmes-and-key-skills/transition-year

If a student is opting for the TY programme, their subject choice process will be delayed until the following year.  

If a student is opting for the LCA programme, their subject choice is set by the school.

The focus of this article therefore will be on the choices facing students entering into the LC programme next year.  

Three key questions to ask yourself in relation to subject choice are-

  • What subjects do I like?
  • What subjects am I good at?
  • What subjects will I need for the college course I am interested in?

 

How many subjects do I have to do for my Leaving Cert?

Typically, most students will study seven subjects for their Leaving Certificate, three Core and four Choice.  The three core subjects are English, Maths and Gaeilge (unless exempt).  

 

What levels can I study these subjects at? 

Unlike in the new Junior Cycle where all subjects apart from the three core subjects are studied at Common Level, subjects in the Leaving Cert can be studied at Higher and Ordinary Level. 

The only exceptions here are-

  • Maths and Gaeilge can also be studied at Foundation Level.
  • LCVP Link Modules is studied at Common Level.

Are there any new subjects that I can study for my Leaving Cert?

Plenty!  There are a large (and growing) number of subjects offered for Leaving Certificate, however not all schools offer all subjects.  

Several of the subjects that you studied for your Junior Cycle will split to form new subjects.  Science breaks into Biology, Physics, Chemistry and Agricultural Science. Business Studies breaks into Business, Accounting and Economics.  Woodwork evolves into Construction Studies, Metalwork into Engineering and Tech Graphics into Design and Communication Graphics.  

New subjects added in recent years that some schools have been piloting are Physical Education, Computer Science and Politics & Society.  There are other niche subjects and a raft of languages that can also be studied.

Are all Leaving Cert subjects worth the same amount of CAO points for college?

Every subject carries the same amount of points with the one notable exception of Higher Level Maths.  Students who achieve a grade of H6 and above will gain an extra 25 CAO points.

 

Should I take another language other than Irish and English?

This is commonly referred to as a Third language, typically Spanish, French or German (Though there are many others).  A third language is a requirement for a large number of courses in the NUI colleges but not for courses in Engineering, Science and Nursing.  A third language is not a requirement for entry onto most courses in the Institutes of Technology, DCU and UL apart from those which involve the study of that language. 

An interesting fact for students born in Northern Ireland or elsewhere in the UK is that Gaeilge will suffice for the language requirement.

A third language is also a requirement for entry into a cadetship with the Army, Navy and Air Corps.

There are always exceptions to the rule so it is best to check with the course provider or your Guidance Counsellor.

Should I take a science subject?

Having a lab science subject is a requirement for entry onto some courses.  Most healthcare related courses require a science subject e.g. Nursing, Physiotherapy.  Some medical courses require two science subjects e.g. Medicine and Dentistry. Most Engineering courses in the NUI colleges require a science subject also. 

 

Is there any combination of subjects that work well together?

Some subjects are closely related and can help to ease the burden and cut down on some study when preparing for your Leaving Certificate.  Biology and Home Economics overlap at times, Physics and Applied Maths have a strong correlation while Link Modules and Business are also good friends.

Final tips?

Remember the three key questions above.

Do your research on the new subjects as they might be different than you imagine them to be.

Keep as many options open to yourself as possible for college.  Choosing a broad range of subjects such as including a language and a science subject is advisable.

Ask your Guidance Counsellor if you have any questions.

Do not choose a subject just because your friend is doing it!


Rory has been a Guidance Counsellor at Finn Valley College for the past 10 years and is a member of the Donegal Branch of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. 

Applying for college or changing careers is one of the most important and exciting decisions someone can make, and Rory will be here to offer advice and top tips on the many options that are available.

Career Guidance with Rory White: How to make successful subject choices was last modified: February 28th, 2020 by Rory White
Facebook0Tweet0LinkedIn0Print0

Tags:
career guidance with rory whiteeducationexamsSCHOOLsubjects
Rory White

Rory White is a Guidance Counsellor in Finn Valley College, Stranorlar and a member of the Donegal Branch of the Institute of Guidance Counsellors. For the past ten years he has been helping Leaving Cert and PLC students as well as adults choose a college course or decide to change their career journey to start something new. Rory's columns on Donegal Daily share advice on making informed decisions at this exciting and important time. - Rory White BA/H.Dip in Guidance & Counselling

LEAVE A COMMENT

You may also like

Stunning coastal walk to raise funds for...

5 hours ago

‘Workers and families paying the price of...

5 hours ago

Council to catalogue collection of renowned photographer...

6 hours ago

First case of monkeypox reported in Northern...

8 hours ago

Donegal mum putting hidden symptoms of MS...

9 hours ago

Health forum hears concern over Donegal disability...

9 hours ago

Make renovation dreams come true with a...

10 hours ago

Emergency services at scene of Letterkenny collision

10 hours ago

Castletown N.S. raise their ‘water’ green flag!

10 hours ago

Free compost giveaway events to take place...

11 hours ago
Advertisement
Advertisement

MOST POPULAR

Donegal County Council
Advertisement

Sport Hub

  • Stay up to date with Donegal Sport Hub on Facebook

    5 months ago
  • Donegal links rank in Top 100 Golf Courses in the World

    6 months ago
  • Bundoran 10 Event set for March 2022

    6 months ago
See More

Donegal Woman

  • Donegal mum shares the unseen side of MS

    13 hours ago
  • Donegal scientist joins prestigious Royal Irish Academy

    14 hours ago
  • Derry Girls star Jamie-Lee O’Donnell to show us ‘The Real Derry’ in new Channel 4 doc

    1 day ago
See More

Columnists

Motoring - Brian McDaid

Carrie Harvey – a community cornerstone

1 day ago

Group Holidays - Travel Department

See the world with holiday discounts from Travel Department

3 days ago

At Home with Hegarty's - Hegarty's Home Interiors

At Home with Hegarty’s: Sit back and relax in the stylish Positano Corner

1 week ago

Healthy Living - Sorcha McElchar

Sorchas Healthy Living: Is snacking bad?

2 weeks ago

Career Advice - Rory White

Career Guidance with Rory White: Choosing your senior cycle subjects? Keep your options open!

2 months ago

See All Columnists
Advertisement
Donegal Daily Jobs

Read More

  • News
  • Sport
  • Courts
  • Jobs
  • Sales & Services
  • Obituaries
  • Features
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Council News

Information

  • Contact Us
  • About
  • Advertise WIth Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • Terms & Conditions

Our Sites

Donegal Woman
Donegal Woman
Donegal Daily

© 2022 Donegal Daily. All rights reserved.
Website by owenod


Back To Top.

Posting....