On the eve of the Leaving Cert results,

Daragh Murphy

Age: 25

From: Co Clare

School: Rice College, Ennis

Leaving Cert: 1996

Point: 570 points - A1s in maths, biology and French

Now: Medical intern at Merlin Park Regional Hospital, Galway

"I peaked at the right time. The Leaving results were the best I had got all through school. Actuarial studies in UCD was my first choice. It seemed a good one. A short course with a good, well-paid job almost guaranteed at the end. They were great incentives. Medicine actually intimidated me at that time. When I started in UCD I found it difficult to settle. My flatmate was studying medicine and, listening to him, it seemed like a more purposeful profession. I got more unhappy with my course. It didn't hit me fully that I had dropped out until Christmas.

"Applied to do medicine the year after. I went to San Francisco and worked there as a painter. That year was a necessary part of getting where I am today. Had a good hard think, more so than I had at school, and saw more clearly what I wanted. Academically, the Leaving is a good measure. But knowing what you want to do with yourself is another matter. That's part of growing up."

Eleanor Cummins

Age: 24

From: Abbeyfield, Limerick

School: St Joseph's Convent of Mercy, Limerick

Leaving Cert: 1998

Points: 600 - straight A1s

Now: Training to be a primary-school teacher

"I remember going down to the school. A few girls had gathered outside the principal's room, afraid to go in. I was one of the first to enter. I asked did I do OK, and the principal said: 'You did great.' I thought it was impossible to do that well. I guess a combination of things helped me get the points I did: my school and teachers, exam technique and a fair smattering of luck on the day.

"My parents put no pressure on me. But you do put some pressure on yourself. I did psychology and French in Trinity. College is a very different set-up. You don't get as much support or feedback as in secondary. I'm now doing a postgrad to be a primary-school teacher in St Pat's. The Leaving was certainly the toughest exam I did. I never felt I had to prove anything to anyone after that."

Ger Clerkin

Age: 23

From: Co Monaghan

School: Largy College, Clones

Leaving Cert: 1998

Points: 580

Now: MLitt in Irish at NUI Maynooth

"I felt a real sense of satisfaction when I got my results. The whole Leaving Cert time is very stressful. The sense of pressure is all-pervasive. I felt I had to do my best or I'd regret it later. I was confident I'd get the points for my first-choice course, which was always arts in Maynooth. Other courses were mentioned. The usual suspects - engineering, say, or medicine. But I didn't want them. I honestly didn't know what career I wanted. Arts seemed open-ended and I love Irish.

The Leaving Cert is definitely flawed in terms of how it prepares you. It suited me, as I've a good memory and I can learn things off pretty easily, but for people with different skills it can leave them with nothing. It is hard to choose what to do. But follow your instinct. I've never regretted my choice."

Emer Joyce

Age: 23

From: Headford, Co Galway

School: Presentation College, Galway

Leaving Cert: 1997

Points: 590

Now: Medical intern at UCH, Galway

"I had always really wanted to study medicine. I was fixated on it from 10 upwards. I simply didn't want to do anything else. It wasn't such a pressurised time for me. I remember feeling nervous about the first English paper. I was particularly anxious to do well in it. It went well and the rest just followed on. Studying for the Leaving Cert is about consistency, whereas college is more about intensive short periods. I think the Leaving Cert is a good measure of how capable you are for certain courses. It set a standard, and I managed first-class honours in my medicine finals last year. I found it easier to study at school and through college because I knew what I wanted. Hospital work is very hands-on, which suits me just now. The studying is over for the time being."

George Harry Hitching

Age: 24

From: Co Clare

School: St Flannan's College, Ennis

Leaving Cert: 1997

Points: 6 A1s and 2 A2s

Now: PhD in algebraic geometry, Durham University

"The level of intensive study I put in was quite exhausting. The points I needed for my course were rather low. But I motivated myself in other ways. It was two years of my life where I had to attend the classes anyway. So I wanted something to show for it.

"Music was well catered for at that time by the Leaving Cert. I was trained in the organ and the piano. I knew exactly what I wanted to do in college [maths and music at NUI Maynooth\]. Music dictated my choice of college rather than maths.

"The Leaving Cert was more of an opening salvo than the defining moment for me academically. But it is harder with the range of things one has to cover. I focused on maths after my BA. I'd like to become an academic, work at a university. I'd say forget the points, choose the course. And don't let points or exams get in the way of your education."