With the CAO deadline looming, I sat
down at the kitchen table and had a
difficult talk with my mother. We
looked at all the courses which were
on offer and decided Tralee I.T was my
best choice. I always remember
receiving the offer from Tralee I.T, I had
such mixed emotions about the whole
situation. On one hand, I was excited
at moving to a new place and all the
new experiences which would come
from it but on the other hand I wanted
nothing in my life to change. If only I
could have packed up my whole life
and family in a suitcase, and brought
everything with me, as if nothing had
changed.
I will never be able to forget that day in
Heuston Station, I sat in SuperMacs
crying into a burger because I just
couldn’t say goodbye to my family
and everything I had ever known.
Anyone who saw me sitting there
must have thought I was being forced
against my will to leave. I can recall
everything so clearly, even down to
knowing what songs played in
SuperMac during that emotional 45-
minute period. I get extremely
embarrassed when people ask how it
went, I literally, without joking, only
spent a week there. And I cried for
about 85% of that week. I returned for
a short family trip and never went
back to Tralee after that. There is
absolutely nothing wrong with Tralee
and Kerry people, they helped me as
much as they could, but Tralee was
not for me. Reflecting on the whole
experience, I realise I had been
crippled by the fear of change.
So, the twist in the story is that while
36
on that family trip, I received an email
from the CAO stating that I had
received an offer from Dundalk
Institute of Technology, to study
Health and Physical Activity. This was
the opportunity I needed, and I
couldn’t wait to get back to Dublin. I
was on catch up when I got to DKIT,
but a friend I had from Colaiste
Dhulaigh was also studying there and
made me feel right at home. I’ll never
be able to thank Ryan enough for
what he did, University can be
daunting, but it can be even more
daunting when you’re so late to the
party.
Trying to catch up with everyone else,
I ended up going out with the class
any time an opportunity arose, and as
a result of my prospering social life,
my academic life suffered. This meant
I only had one fate ahead of me, which
was repeats in both semesters. I
missed out on going into 2nd year by
7%, meaning I would have to repeat
that one module. However, it wouldn’t
have mattered if I missed out by 7 or
70 percent, my heart was never truly in
the course. I only chose it as my
escape route out of Tralee.
I returned again to the kitchen table
and faced some harsh truths, I had
made a dog’s dinner of the last year. I
needed to be smart and I needed to
start making good decisions. I enrolled
on an FAI/Fingal County Council
Soccer Coaching/Personal Training
course. I was enjoying myself again,
and after the 9-month long course, I
was offered an internship with the
Football Association of Ireland, as a
Development Officer for the Dublin 15
area. My job was to promote the sport
in the area. I loved it, but I wanted to
teach. I finished my internship and
decided I wanted to teach adults and
young people, who may, for whatever
reason, not have had the greatest
experience in education.
For the first time ever, I did in-depth
research into my options. I visited
universities and spoke to people who
could support and help me in my
return to 3rd level education. I used all
the resources at my disposal, because
I knew I had to make this time count, I
had too much riding on it. People will
help you, you just need to ask for their
help. I was 23 at this point so was
eligible to apply to DCU through the
CAO, as a mature student. The mature
entry route looks at an individual’s life
experience instead of just solely their
Leaving Cert results. I was invited to
an interview and met with the year-
head of the program and a lecturer to
discuss why I was interested in the
course. I was happy with how the
interview went but I think you always
have that level of doubt in the back of
your mind, anxious to know if there
was any more you could have done.
I cried the day I received my letter of
acceptance from DCU. I’m almost
certain I framed the letter. Being from
Glasnevin, DCU was always the
dream university to go to but for me it
felt like a world away and that I would
never be ‘smart’ enough to get
accepted. I’ve learned over the years
though that everyone is smart in their
own right.
I am now 25 and if I could turn back
time I wouldn’t. All the different
experiences and struggles I’ve
encountered have shaped me in many
positive ways. Only you can stop
yourself from achieving your goals and
arriving at your dream destination.
Sometimes the road less-travelled is
the most exciting one.
Olivia Sneyd
16 + 17
2019
and Universities through the Higher
Education Links Scheme, including
Dundalk IT, Carlow IT, University
College Cork, and Tralee IT.
The National
Show Centre
SEPT
Swords, Co. Dublin
school summit
The event will take place over a 2 day period and will offer all Senior Cycle Sector Students
and their Teachers the opportunity to
Engage
Explore
Experience
- The many opportunities and resources that are available to them.
- School Summit will showcase an extensive range of appropriate personal, educational & vocational material.
- School Summit promises to encompass the three separate, but interlinked areas of:
educational
guidance
personal and
social development
career
guidance
With over 100 exhibitors from our existing database of clients attending the event & influential speakers from
both home and abroad, school summit
promises to take you to the highest point of the school year.
BellTIME
NEW: Apprenticeships + Traineeships Zone
Education
Arts
Environment
Sports Mental Health
STEM Competitions
Travel
School Tours
School Supplies
Volunteering
Apprenticeships
Health & Diet
Faith
Entertainment
Transition Year
Careers
Languages
Fundraising
Finance
And much much more....
Demonstrations | Workshops | Skills | Opportunities | Competitions
Prizes | Inspirational Speakers | Teach-Talk | Student Scene
Location:
The National Show Centre is located on the
main Dublin to Belfast road, a short distance
from Dublin Airport, the M50 and M1
motorways and Swords. Dublin city centre is
20/30 minutes away and Belfast is a 2 hours
drive. The venue is easily accessible and is
well serviced by bus routes.
Contact / Booking
For School Bookings or for more information
visit www.SchoolSummit.ie or Contact:
Exhibition space: [email protected] 083 4451900
School Bookings: [email protected] 083 4451900
Early Bird Tickets available @
www.SchoolSummit.ie
www.belltimemagazine.ie
www.bellmedia.ie
Go To the Top of your Class with
School Summit!
School Summit 2019 is available to:
All Senior Cycle Sector Students
& their Teachers
Looking forward to seeing you all
at School Summit September 16th
& 17th 2019, National Show Centre,
Swords, Co. Dublin for the The Peak
Event of the School Year
BOOK NOW: www.schoolsummit.ie
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