Leaving Cert results - Generation blessed with opportunity

Students should not panic if their Leaving Certificate results did not come up to their hopes or expectations.

They should take time to reflect on their options and consult with the guidance counsellors, who are available on a number of free helplines.

Those who gained their Leaving Certificate this year have more options than their counterparts in any previous generation.

Current demographic trends show a drop in the number of second-level students, with the result that it is easier than ever to get into third-level education.

For those whose results are not good enough to gain entry to the course of their choice within CAO system, they can still consider other courses.

There are a variety of private and independent colleges at which they may be able to pursue their first choice, and there are numerous other opportunities available, such as post-Leaving Certificate or FÁS courses, as well as apprenticeships, and opportunities in CERT, nursing, the Defence Forces, and Teagasc.

With the economy continuing to grow, there are more employment opportunities than ever. It is important that young people should choose a course, or select the career that suits their interests and aptitude in order to afford them the greatest sense of satisfaction.

While prospects for young people in this country have never seemed brighter, the failure rate in ordinary level maths and science subjects, such as biology and physics, poses a warning for the future and a real challenge for our educational authorities.