Lack of Leaving Cert did not stop college maths student

Megan Dooley, a student at TU Dublin, never sat her Leaving Cert but is set to graduate with a mathematical sciences degree. The university student dropped out of secondary school in fifth year, a decision that brought her some relief but also disappointment. Megan, who always saw herself getting a university degree, found herself struggling with maths during her time in secondary school.

However, after leaving school, she enrolled in a QQI Level 4 General Learning course through her local Youthreach in Co Louth. This full-time education and training programme for early school-leavers prepared Megan for apprenticeships, Post-Leaving Cert courses, and the workplace. It was during this course that Megan fell in love with maths once again, despite having previously failed it in secondary school.

Following this, Megan completed an engineering PLC course and a second one in early childhood education. She worked in the latter field for two years before applying to study maths at university. Megan hopes her story will encourage students to know that there are many options available to achieve their goals, regardless of their Leaving Cert results.