A day in the life of a First Year student.
By Jamie Berry - May 2026
My name is Jamie and I'm a 1st year student here at Coláiste Chiaráin and I'd like to share with you a typical day in my life.
I have an early start at around 8am when I head for the bus with some of my friends. On the way there, we spend the journey talking about which lessons we have coming up that day. We then arrive at the school at around twenty past eight, the school area is busy, there is a lot of traffic, but one of the aims of our green schools committee is to reduce the amount of cars travelling to the school and to try to get more students travelling via bus.
Our first class begins at ten to nine in the morning and lasts for an hour, we then have our second class which is followed by break at ten to eleven. Small break is an opportunity to grab a snack to refuel, and get your books sorted for your next class. We then have our third and fourth period which are followed by our big break. This break is thirty five minutes long and there is some delicious and nutritious canteen food offered during that time.
After that break we attend our final two periods. It's the time to go home and relax, unless you're attending one of our many extra curricular activities like sports, chess, lego, debating, podcasting and many more. At Coláiste Chiaráin you're never short of opportunities to do what you love and express your style and talent, a day at Coláiste chiaráin is a day well spent!
A day in the life of a Transition Year student.
By Hannah Fitzpatrick - May 2026
Each morning I arrive at school at around 8:10am. It’s always a busy time, with students chatting, organising their books or getting ready for the day ahead. I usually go to my locker, get what I need for my morning classes and catch up with my friends before class begins.
Transition Year is quite different from other years because of the variety in our timetable. While we still have some core subjects, we also get to experience Leaving Certificate subjects and take part in different modules. I currently take part in Future Leaders and Music Performance, which add a more practical and enjoyable element to the school day.
At 10:50am we have our morning break. This gives us time to relax, have a snack and organise our books for the next classes. After break, our day might include regular lessons, workshops or even guest speakers, which makes every day a little different.
Lunch break is at 1:05pm and is definitely one of the highlights of the day. My friends and I usually spend time together chatting and relaxing, and if the weather is nice, we like to go outside.
One of the best parts of Transition Year is the opportunities we get outside the classroom. We take part in work experience, which allows us to explore different career paths. I have completed work experience in a dental practice and I am currently working in a liturgical centre, both of which have given me valuable insight into different working environments. TY also gives us the chance to get involved in exciting projects and events. I had the opportunity to exhibit at the first ever YSTE exhibition, sponsored by Stripe, which was a really memorable experience. Another highlight of the year was taking part in the TY musical, where we performed Beauty and the Beast. It was a great experience and something I will always remember. Our trip to Italy was also a major highlight, giving us the chance to travel, experience a new culture and spend time together as a year group.
After lunch, we attend our final classes of the day, which are often more interactive and engaging. School finishes at 15:40, and after school I take part in tennis training outside of school.
Overall, I really enjoy being a Transition Year student. It’s a welcome break from exams and gives us more freedom to try new things, meet different people and grow in confidence. I also take part in the John Paul II Award, which allows me to get involved in my community and develop new skills. TY is a unique and valuable experience that helps prepare us for the future while also being a very enjoyable year.
A day in the life of a Fifth Year student.
By Aristede Selve - May 2026
Hi, my name is Aristide. I’m a fifth-year student, and this is a glimpse into a typical day; between early starts, busy corridors, and everything in between.
My day starts at 7:30. Not exactly a heroic moment, more of a “right, let’s go” situation. Alarm, breakfast, out the door with my mum and sister, and just like that, I’m at school. The energy hits immediately.
The corridors are where the day realy begins. It’s never just moving between classes. “Hi!” “Wait, how was your test?” “Did you finish that homework?!” “I’ll tell you later, I have to run!” Conversations overlap, laughter carries, and people naturally help each other keep up with everything going on. You don’t even think about it, you’re just part of it.
Even the smaller moments matter. Passing a teacher, a “Good morning,” a quick nod. Simple, but it adds up. The school doesn’t just feel structured, it feels connected. There’s respect, but also approachability, and that balance changes the whole atmosphere of the day.
Then classes begin, and the energy shifts rather than disappears. The hour-long lessons give you time to get into things properly. You’re not just watching the clock, you’re involved. And then it happens, that moment out of nowhere, “Wait… I actually get this!” That’s the feeling that stays with you.
On Wednesdays Applied Maths stretches the day a little further. While others are heading home, I’m still there, working through problems that don’t always cooperate. There are moments of real confusion. But when it clicks, it’s not just relief, it’s a real sense of achievement. Worth it, every time.
No two days are ever the same. Some are faster, some heavier, some feel like everything is happening at once. But that’s what makes it exciting. There’s always something ahead, something to improve, or something to work towards. And by the time the day ends, you realise you wouldn’t actually have it any other way.