Student to Student: In Transition year you’ll never be bored

INSPIRATION BEHIND THE SERIES

Young people deserve to hear from the perspectives, opinions, and experiences of other young people.

I believe we can learn from each other and help each other as we navigate the Irish education system.

I aim to draw from as many points of view as possible, making sure this advice is relevant to as many different students as possible.

The articles over these 10 weeks will look at study skills, career route options, Leaving Cert reflections, school experiences, and so on.

MEET MEADHBH

Meadhbh Kenneally is 16 and attends Presentation secondary school in Mitchelstown. She is in 5th year, having just completed Transition Year. She is studying Music, French, Biology and Politics as well as the core subjects Irish, English and Maths. Madhbh enjoys playing piano, acting, playing tennis, and learning new things.

This week’s article is all about Transition Year, an optional one-year school programme that can be taken in the year after the Junior Certificate in Ireland that promotes independent, self-directed learning and work-related skills above academics.

I was interested to hear from Meadhbh why she chose to do Transition Year in the first place and I actually found I related to all the reasons she mentioned when I was making the same decision a couple of years ago.

“At first, I was not sure if I wanted to do Transition Year, but after hearing how hugely beneficial it was for other students, I decided that It could be a wonderful experience,” said Meadhbh.

I wanted to learn new things, achieve new goals, and discover what I could do outside the classroom.

It’s certainly true, what you put into Transition Year is what you get out of it. As Meadhbh said: “I embraced the TY experience and it totally exceeded all my expectations.”

As she wrote in her end of year reflection: “I don’t think there was one day this year that I can remember being bored.”

Transition Year is such a varied year where you learn so much you don’t expect to. When asked what her favourite memory from the year was, she said: “This question is honestly impossible to answer as there are too many to choose from.”

However, Meadhbh did manage to give a lovely overview of her stand- out moments.

“So here is a few of my highlights, performing in the school musical, going on a French exchange, participating in Davis College United Nations, winning UCCs Appetite for knowledge competition, helping to paint the school mural, creating a Junk Kouture outfit with my friends, racing through the Bogathon, work experience in a pharmacy, hiking the Burren, and many more.”

Not only was the year beneficial, Meadhbh exclaimed: “The entire year was unforgettable!”

Reflecting on whether or not she made the right decision, she said she was excited to start 5th year.

TY gave me the time to decide what subjects I really loved and where I want to go in the future.

She also listed other benefits.

“The year gives you the time and space to try new things and explore your likes and dislikes. You mature throughout the year and your confidence and social skills can hugely improve.

“You will be thrown into situations that you would not experience in everyday school life. In my experience, for example, I went to France on an exchange programme for one month and my language and social skills hugely improved as I had to communicate with my host family and new classmates.

“During my time working on our Junk Kouture and science projects, my teamwork, problem-solving and time management skills improved hugely.”

Transition Year is an ever-evolving and improving year but according to Meadhbh: “There is not anything I would change about the programme, but every school is different. I do think there is something in it for everyone.”

Yet, she made the importance of your own initiative and taking part very clear.

“The programme is great but it is you and your class’s attitude that can change the experience from great to unforgettable.”

Her message to anyone entering TY is “Do not judge each other and do support one another in your achieve-ments throughout the year, whatever they may be.

Everyone is different and a small achievement for one person may be a big one for someone else.

The advice she would give another student starting Transition Year this September is: “You will never get another opportunity like this.

“Embrace the many new experiences, from school trips, courses, and endless time for extra-curriculars. Say yes to everything as you never know until you try. Enjoy every minute of it! This is your year; you get to decide what you want it to look like.”

Finally, she said: “Be ambitious and push yourself out of your comfort zone. Who knows what you might achieve?”