Getting and keeping motivation are probably the two hardest things you’ll face during the year without a doubt. You will be finding yourself wondering why do you even bother studying and is it really worth the hassle? Picture this, standing in your school hall with your certificate with grades you can be proud of, grades so good you actually want people to ask you how did you manage it and not to be embarrassed for your lack of effort or heart. You need to picture yourself holding the certificate with the 11 A’s or whatever your goal is. You need to believe in yourself that you can achieve that. Truly believe you’re capable and it’s really just a matter of time before you get your hands on that certificate. Believe that anything is possible with hard work and determination.

You can’t make any excuses when it comes to reaching a goal. You will hear hundreds of excuses during the year as to why people don’t bother with the Junior Cert and how it is simply a waste of time. You need to combat these challenges and prove people wrong by doing well. Don’t get swept into the category of people who don’t bother doing any work at all and might as well have sat the exams in September. Don’t ever waste time, if you find yourself not doing work or something productive question that. Time isn’t meant to be wasted, you only have one life so make the most of it.

Another cornerstone of keeping motivated is realising why you are actually studying. Is it because your parents are forcing you to do well or are you realising the benefits of studying and hard work for yourself? Think of the big picture. Where do you want to be in 10 years and will performing well in school and learning all the skills such as organisation, planning, learning that come hand in hand with performing academically well aid you in reaching these goals? It more than likely will. So you’re essentially studying for yourself. At the end of the day everyone is going to have to study at some point in their life so why bother make hundreds of reasons not to do it and instead look to the personal benefits it gives.

The Junior Cert also lets you prove yourself on a nationwide level. How good are you compared to not just your class but the entire country? To what extent are you willing to work to reach the goals you want? I assure you there is no better feeling in the world than getting the rewards after hard work.