The Leaving Cert Journey – Stress & Wellbeing
📌 Focus:
Recognising pressure, spotting hidden stress, and simple supports for students and parents
👥 Guests:
- Owen Houlihan – Guidance Counsellor & Leaving Cert Helpline volunteer
- Dr Kim Lombard – Mental-Health Clinician, Jigsaw
- Alisha – First-year student (sat LC 2024)
- Tríona – Parent of a recent LC student (Donegal)
💡 Key Points:
- Why the Leaving Cert is more than “just an exam” – existential pressure & identity worries
- Hidden stress signals parents often miss (sleep, appetite, shoulder tension)
- Sleep, nutrition & Pomodoro study hacks that actually work
- Balancing praise: effort vs. points – shifting to an internal locus of control
- Re-framing mocks panic and “points-chat” peer pressure
- Practical routines—from box-breathing to tech wind-downs
- CAO myths busted: Level 6/7 backdoors & dropping out without shame
- Helpline inside view: top 3 questions in the first 24 hours of results
📞 Support Mentioned:
🔗 Useful Links:
🎧 Listen now:
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📢 Hashtags:
#NPC #LeavingCert #StressSupport #Wellbeing #ParentingTeens
