Eighteen-year-old Kayleigh Quinn from Meath is gearing up for her Leaving Cert exams, despite having left school in her second year due to mental health issues exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially struggling to adjust to the school environment, she found solace in online learning tools like YouTube and ChatGPT. After successfully completing her Junior Cycle exams as an external student, Quinn regained her confidence and decided to pursue medicine. She returned to school for Transition Year and volunteered with medical charities, which solidified her career choice. Although she moved schools in fifth year and initially had good attendance, her mental health challenges resurfaced, prompting her to study independently for the Leaving Cert. Quinn is now aiming for maximum points and has received offers from UK colleges, contingent on her exam performance. As the exams approach, she feels prepared for biology but is anxious about English and physics, particularly due to her struggles with on-the-spot thinking.