School Days: The Best Days of Your Life… or Not?

What actually mattered looking back

“At the time, school felt like everything…and most of it meant absolutely nothing.”

That line pretty much sums up Episode 13 of FILP.

Sean, Aaron, Mike and Niall all went to St Ailbe’s Secondary School in Tipperary Town and in this episode, they go back (in a way). They’re joined by past pupil and current principal Ruaidhri Devitt, who also happens to be Niall’s brother, for a chat about what school was like then… and what it’s really like now.

Because instead of just looking back…you’re also looking at school from the other side.

What School Felt Like at the Time

When you’re in school, it’s your whole world.

Everything feels massive:

• Teachers
• Rules
• Exams
• Who you hang around with
• What people think of you

Your routine is fixed:

• Same building
• Same people
• Same structure every day

And at the time, it feels like: This is life.

What Actually Mattered (And What Didn’t)

Looking back now… a lot of it didn’t matter.

The things we stressed about?

• Not that important
• Mostly forgotten
• Often meaningless in the long run

But some things did stick:

What did matter:

• The friendships
• The laughs
• The shared experiences
• The moments in between classes

What didn’t:

• Most of the pressure
• Small social worries
• Trying to fit in perfectly

That’s the shift you only see with time.

Seeing It From the Other Side

Having a principal in the conversation adds something different.

Because now:

• You’re not just remembering school
• You’re understanding it

There’s an appreciation for:

• The role teachers play
• The structure behind it all
• The balance between discipline and support

And maybe a realisation that: Teachers probably knew more than we gave them credit for.

How School Has Changed

School today isn’t exactly the same as it was.

Some things are still there:

• Friend groups
• Social dynamics
• Pressure in different forms

But a lot has shifted:

• More awareness of mental health
• More involvement from parents
• Technology playing a huge role
• Constant communication (no switching off)

Back then:

• You left school → you were gone

Now:

• School follows you home

And that changes everything.

What Do You Tell Your Own Kids?

As parents, you’re now on the other side of it.

So what do you say?

Do you tell them:

• “These are the best days of your life”?

Or do you say:

• “It’s just one part of your life — don’t overthink it”?

The truth probably sits somewhere in the middle.

Because while school is important…it’s not everything - even if it feels like it at the time.

How We’ve Changed Since Then

How much have we actually changed?

Some things are different:

• More responsibilities
• Different priorities
• A bit more perspective

But at the core?

Not that much.

The same personalities… The same humour… The same friendships still there.

Final Thought

School is strange.

When you’re in it: It feels like the most important thing in the world.

When you look back: It’s just one chapter.

But it’s a big one.

Because it shapes:

• Your friendships
• Your confidence
• Your outlook

Even if you don’t realise it at the time.

Listen to Episode 13 on your favourite podcast platform:

Spotify | Apple Podcasts | YouTube