Transition year: A year when teenagers can transition to adulthood

Transition year offers students the option of work experience over study, giving them the freedom to grow and take responsibility for themselves

Students love the freedom of TY, the choices available

Transition year is 40 years old, it is available in almost all schools and utilised by three in four students. Gemma Lawlor is a guidance counsellor at Tyndall College, Carlow, and her daughter has just finished TY. “In my 25-year experience, there’s only a tiny proportion of students whom TY doesn’t suit,” she says.

“The vast majority benefit, whether they’re highly academic and know exactly what they want to do — very often, TY helps them catch up in maturity — or are non-high fliers who aren’t sure what they want. It gives students a chance to sit back, view, and experience the world, and then come into fifth year with a greater sense of focus.”