ADVICE - Stay calm, think things through — and enjoy the last days of summer

Youth information website SpunOut.ie has advised Leaving Certificate students to stay calm and think things through carefully today before making the big decisions.

And they’ve also urged students to make plans to enjoy the last few days of summer before embarking on the next phase of their education.

SpunOut.ie director Ian Power said a lot of students tend to get a little anxious in the last few days before results day.

“That’s perfectly normal and many of the 54,933 young people waiting to calculate their points will be in the same boat,” he said.

But generally, around 63% of CAO applicants are offered their first choice and should have no need to worry, he said.

“For those who don’t get their first choice, it’s important to remember there are many different ways to get to where you want to go.

“Every student should make sure they have fully researched and thought about a ‘plan B’ option in case they don’t get an offer for their first preference.

“Doing so before results and offers day means you won’t be making decisions in a panic.”

Mr Power said once students have thought about all of their options, they should try to relax, stay positive, and make plans to do something fun that will distract them. “These are the last few days of summer before the hectic move to college — so make the most of them,” he said.

“All the hard work is done, so there’s really no point in worrying over something you no longer have control over.”

The Irish Examiner website will host, along with University College Cork’s website, a live question and answer session for students and parents today and tomorrow from 3pm-4pm.

While primarily aimed at those who have applied for places at UCC, admissions staff and representatives of its different academic colleges will also handle more general queries about results or points, and other issues of interest or concern as college applicants await CAO round 1 offers next Monday.

It is possible to pre-register at ucc.ie and the queries and responses can be read on both websites.

A similar session next Monday, from 10am-11am and 3pm-4pm, will see students’ union and UCC fees office personnel also handling queries after first-round CAO offers are issued.