As the big day finally arrives for thousands of exam students, the Herald speaks to two who will share their experiences over the next couple of weeks.

Rebecca Maher (18) from Donaghmede. Leaving Cert Student at Manor House, Raheny

We have spent the last six years building up to this day and as much as I've been dreading it, it's actually a huge relief to me that it's finally time to start the Leaving Cert.

I want to go on to do a business degree in DCU and then eventually do the H.Dip to do teaching, so the pressure is on now to get the points.

Countdown

I'm actually studying eight subjects because I opted to do the Leaving Cert Vocational module on top of my other subjects. Thankfully, one of them is finished already though.

The countdown is on now until the other seven are over. My last one is on June 16 when I do my final exam in Spanish.

It was particularly hard to stay focused with the gorgeous weather we've been having all weekend. I've been following a strict study schedule since I got off from classes and started studying every day at 9am. I also took my lunch at the same time I would have in school, to give me a bit of routine.

I did take a couple of breaks from the books though, because I had a modelling job for Ireland AM last week, I'm signed with B-Scene Modelling agency.

I also did a shoot for Kiss magazine. It actually came out today, so I'm quite excited about that and at least it gave me something else to worry about other than English and Home Economics.

Other than that, I've had my head in the books non-stop, although I have moved from the desk to a blanket under an umbrella for the past few days.

I definitely must be the only person in the country who's praying for some rain for the rest of the week.

English Paper One was definitely a good one to start off with because it's all comprehensions and essays, so you can't do too much preparation for it.

I enjoy all that side of things a lot more than the poetry and the Stand Alone and Comparative questions that come up in Paper Two.

My main worry was Home Economics this afternoon, because even though most people just assume it's a doss and all you do is learn how to cook and sew there's actually a lot more to it than that.

Hard

I really wasn't looking forward to the short question section because it covers the entire course and it's really hard to narrow it down.

Tomorrow it's just English Paper Two to worry about for me as Engineering is on in the afternoon, so I'm going to be up to my eyes in Shakespeare for the rest of the evening.