The Studyclix Podcast

With CAO Offers Day around the corner, thousands of young Irish students are at a pivotal moment in their lives.

For some however, the journey to college and beyond is different to what they expected, and we want to shine a light on some of those stories.

For this episode of The Studyclix Podcast, Luke talks to  TikToker (and former Studyclix Ambassador!) Jake Glendon, who is hoping to start his first year in college this September after taking a gap year following his Leaving Cert.

Jake talks about the moment he realised a gap year was right for him, the ups and downs of that decision, and what advice he would give to students considering the same.

For more gap year advice and general tips about school and exams, check out Jake's TikTok here.

------
Got an idea you’d like us to cover on the podcast? Drop us a line at [email protected], or reach out to us on social media. Our DMs are always open 💌

Follow Studyclix on Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat (@studyclix) and share this podcast with a friend to help us grow!

⏰ TIMECODES BELOW ⏰
Luke and Nessa spoke to Donnchadh O'Mahony, a guidance counsellor and CAO expert, to answer the most burning students have at this time of year.

From how to prepare for results day (do you know how to log into the self service portal?) to how the CAO rounds of offers work, this podcast has you covered.

For more tips on the CAO and career guidance, check out Donnchadh aka Leaving Cert Guidance on Instagram and TikTok.

TIMECODES:
LC Results:
01:36 - Tips for nerves ahead of Leaving Cert Results
02:36 - How to prepare for Leaving Cert Results
05:03 - What to know about the appeals and scripts process
CAO Offers:
09:34 - The most common question Donnchadh gets on CAO Offers Day
10:27 -  "I got the points, why haven't I got an offer"
10:58 - "Will I get another offer?"
11:22 - "Should I accept the first offer I get?" (How the CAO rounds of offers work)
14:13 - Getting an offer in the 2nd round after accepting your 1st
15:00 - "I'm going to be offered my 3rd choice, but I'd prefer my 4th"
15:59 - What are 'Available Places'?
18:44 - "Can I accept my course if I want to defer it for a year?"
20:15 - Advice for students who are disappointed with their first offer
21:26 - Backdoors into courses: PLCs, Apprenticeships, Tertiary Degrees and "Clearing"
26:50 - Interesting new courses you should know about
29:55 - Different paths to get to where you want to be
34:29 - Dealing with disappointment on Results Day

------

Got an idea you’d like us to cover on the podcast? Drop us a line at [email protected], or reach out to us on social media. Our DMs are always open 💌

Follow Studyclix on Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat (@studyclix) and share this podcast with a friend to help us grow!

The CAO Change Of Mind is coming up on the 1st of July, giving you one final opportunity to make a decision on what you want to do after the Leaving Cert.

Luke, Andy and Erin chat about their experience with the CAO, and give their advice for anyone still struggling to make up their minds. They also give practical advice on how to fill out the CAO form to lessen your chances of feeling disappointed on Offers Day. 

For expert advice on the CAO and backdoor options, check out our Youtube series with Leaving Cert Guidance here.

----------

Got an idea you’d like us to cover on the podcast? Drop us a line at [email protected], or reach out to us on social media. Our DMs are always open 💌

Follow Studyclix on Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat (@studyclix) and share this podcast with a friend to help us grow!

The time has come!
It’s easy to panic, but we’re here to help put some of those nerves at rest and give you practical tips for getting through this stressful time.

Luke, Andy and Erin chat about their Junior Cycle and Leaving Cert experience, as well as their tips for preparing the night before, what to bring to the exam, and how to get yourself in the right mindset.

We've only a few weeks to go now, and panic is likely setting in for those doing the Junior Cycle and Leaving Cert exams.

Luke, Andy & Erin chat about what those final weeks were like for them, what they prioritised, and tips for not feeling the immense pressure. No -  you do not need to do 12-hour study days or pull all-nights just to survive an exam!

For tips on getting motivated to study, check out our guide here:
https://www.studyclix.ie/blog/how-to-get-motivated-to-study-for-the-junior-and-leaving-cert-exams

Click below for some more tips on how to maximise last-minute study:
https://www.studyclix.ie/blog/last-minute-exam-secrets-how-to-boost-your-exam-performance

And click here for our advice on why it's never too late to start studying:
https://www.studyclix.ie/blog/why-its-never-too-late-to-start-studying
--------

Got an idea you’d like us to cover on the podcast? Drop us a line at [email protected], or reach out to us on social media. Our DMs are always open 💌

Follow Studyclix on Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat (@studyclix) and share this podcast with a friend to help us grow!

We’re very excited to have expert teacher Laura Daly on the podcast this week! We asked you to send in LC English questions and Laura answered.

From tips on what order to do the exam, to how much you’re expected to write, Laura covered absolutely everything you need to feel confident heading into the LC English exam in June.

For more tips on acing the LC English exam, check out our free comprehensive guide here:
https://www.studyclix.ie/leaving-certificate/english/higher/created-by-studyclix/how-to-get-a-h1-in-leaving-cert-english

----------

Got an idea you’d like us to cover on the podcast? Drop us a line at [email protected], or reach out to us on social media. Our DMs are always open 💌

Follow Studyclix on Instagram, TikTok and Snapchat (@studyclix) and share this podcast with a friend to help us grow!

It's a great time to give yourself a break before the final term of school, but the Easter holidays are a golden opportunity to get a chunk of exam prep in.

Luke, Andy & Erin share their tips on what you should be doing over the Easter Holidays, and how to strike the right balance between having productive study days and giving yourself the rest you deserve. 

If your oral exams are around the corner, chances are your nerves are at an all-time high. 

It's natural to feel stressed and anxious in the lead-up to the oral exams, but there are lots of things you can do to adjust your mindset and clear your head before you go in. 

In this episode of the Studyclix Podcast, Luke, Andy & Erin chat about their own experience with the oral, sharing advice they'd give their younger selves. 
----

Follow Studyclix on social media for updates, study tips, competitions, memes and more!
Instagram: @studyclix
TikTok: @studyclix.ie

TIMECODES BELOW ⬇️

Luke is joined by Erin this week to give tips on all things to do with the Leaving Cert Music Practical. 

Erin got a H1 in her Leaving Cert Music Exam and is full of advice for people who are due to sit their practical exam soon.

This is also a great episode for future Leaving Cert Music students who are curious about the exam and want to know what elements of the practical would suit them best.

TIMECODES:
0:18: Intro
1:16: How is the practical examined?
3:40: How to choose the right sections for you
08.38: What is music technology?
13:03: How to choose your pieces
17:36: Backing tracks and accompaniments 
20:15: How the exam is marked
23.13: Tips for the unprepared section
26:51: Can you overpractice? 
30:49: How to calm nerves on the day 
33:01: Tips for after the exam
36:26: Closing tips 
-----

Follow Studyclix on social media for updates, study tips, competitions, memes and more!
Instagram: @studyclix
TikTok: @studyclix.ie

Nervous about the upcoming Irish oral? We've got you covered. Andy chats to Erin, our resident Gaeilgeoir, for all her tips. Regardless of what level you're at, this podcast episode is packed with heaps of practical, down-to-earth advice, that is sure to help you feel better about the dreaded Béaltriail.

If you want to take your Irish prep that little bit further, check out Studyclix Irish Boost for hundreds of video lessons, interactive exercises and exam-focused content. It's everything you need to feel confident heading into the Irish exam.
Find out more at studyclix.ie/boost

~Links to things mentioned in the podcast~

2025 Sraith Pictiúr Notes:
https://www.studyclix.ie/leaving-certificate/irish/higher/created-by-studyclix/sraith-pictiur-2025-notes-videos-and-audios-now-available/

2026 Sraith Pictiúr Notes:
https://www.studyclix.ie/leaving-certificate/irish/higher/created-by-studyclix/sraith-pictiur-2026-notes-videos-and-audios-now-available/

Readings of the Irish Poems:
https://youtu.be/eT1Y9tdZ898?si=e49HNDGrLzpfLlSR

Full Irish Oral Exam Sample:
https://www.studyclix.ie/leaving-certificate/irish/higher/oral-exam/sample-irish-oral/boost/bealtriail-iomlan-shamplach-full-sample-oral-exam/

Andy's TikTok about the Sraith Pictiúrs:
https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNdRBTY2Q/
-----

Follow Studyclix on social media for updates, study tips, competitions, memes and more!
Instagram: @studyclix
TikTok: @studyclix.ie