Top student puts nine A1s down to consistent work

The only pupil to score nine A1s in this year’s Leaving Certificate today put his success down to consistent studying.

Ronan McGovern, from Patrician College in Kildare, said a little bit of work all the way through school helped him score top marks – rather than weeks of stressful cramming.

“I suppose I did the work consistently. But I’d various things helping me out - like my parents helping me with the French and my dad helping me out with the sciences, the teachers in school, students in school, the system in school,” he said.

“Various things like that, everything kind of works together to give the results at the end of the day.”

Ronan also offered some advice for pupils preparing for the Leaving Cert.

“Just consistency, do consistent work over the years starting from first year. It doesn’t take necessarily five hours or four hours a day, it just takes a slow building up of the work,” he told RTE Radio.

“You don’t necessarily need to work a huge amount the weeks before the exams ... it’s the work you have done in advance that counts, so consistent work an hour or two starting from first year. Not even an hour or two just whatever needs to be done to keep up the work.”

Ronan took on nine tough subjects and scored maximum points. The teenager studied Maths, English, Irish, French, German, Accountancy, Applied Maths, Physics and Chemistry.

Education Minister Mary Hanafin congratulated Ronan on his achievements.

“Isn’t Ronan such a good advocate for broad education, for showing that cramming and grinds are not the things that help you to become the articulate, confident young man that he is.”

She added: “All the more reason why students should continue to be involved in sport and music and all of the things that our schools are offering them.

“Fair play to him and his school and his parents, he’s a credit to all of them.”

But Ronan insisted the last two years were not just long nights of study. He has a keen interest in music and sport, including football and hurling.

And to celebrate he plans to go to football training before meeting up with school friends.

“I took part in Les Miserables when we had that school show here – a resounding success in the school,” he said.

“I also play the clarinet with the Kildare County orchestra. Hopefully I’ll play maybe in college next year – I have plenty of time for other things as well.”

Ronan revealed he planned to study undenominated engineering in UCD in the autumn. The course allows students to get a flavour of several disciplines such as mechanical engineering, civil, electronic and chemical.

“Maybe with a view to going on to chemical, but leave my options open for a year,” he said.

He studied nine subjects whereas the average student takes on six or perhaps seven, but he insisted it was worthwhile.

“I had a reason for doing each one, it wasn’t for the craic like,” he said.

He said he picked Applied Maths because of the advantage it will give him in the engineering course and German to get a second foreign language.

Peter also studied Leaving Cert French at home.