Congratulations Leaving Cert-ers! Today is a day to enjoy, regardless of your result. Major props. Here's a massive pat on the back.

Enjoy that? Good. 'Cause now you're an adult, and shit just got real.

You should rejoice in the fact that you never have to sit down and throw up knowledge onto paper for 10 days straight until your hand feels like it's about to fall off (unless you're repeating, in which case, take a nice break right now. Maybe invest in a wrist support), but don't go resting on your laurels. Because the real world is waiting to bite you in the ass. Here's five things you should know.

 

1. Homework is up to you now.

If you're going on to further education, well done! Making the move to third level is great and will be a fantastic experience for the majority of you (and if it's not, hey, you tried, it didn't fit, that's cool), but listen up children. No one is going to chase you for work when you're in college. It's on your head. So unless you want to spend your summers cramming and stressing like you just spent the last 12 months doing, get on those assignments as they happen. And say hello to the all-nighter.

 

2. Exams just got a whole lot harder

Yes, this is the most infuriating thing to hear after you spent two years studying up to ten different subjects, absorbing as much information as possible so as to do your best in the big LC, but it's true. Every exam you do from now on will suck. Major. Balls. Especially your NCT.


 

3. No one's going to treat you like a kid anymore

'Yes!' you scream, 'that's exactly what I want!'. Oh how blissful ignorance is. Being an adult? Not so much fun as it's cracked up to be. Say hello to responsibility and commitments, and wave goodbye to carefree living. And also? Two words: Adult. Fares. Say hello to a gaping hole in your pocket anytime you want to do anything. (Friendly tip: Milk your student status, whether you are one or not, as much as possible. You'll miss that when it's gone.)

 

4. In 5 years, no one's going to care about the result you got today.

Not an employer, not your peers, not even you. You'll struggle to even remember what subjects you did, what level you did them at and what results you actually got. Incidentally, the one thing you'll never forget is the intro to this. (Banging it out in front of foreigners when you want to confuse them on holiday is a joy that you'll live again and again.)

 

5. The world is a big bad place.

But also? It's pretty f*cking awesome. Enjoy it kids.