Congratulations! You have just completed your Leaving Cert!
Your next step is to make sure your CAO has been filled out correctly, you still have until 1st July {17.15} to change your mind. It is critical that you don’t put all your eggs into one basket, allow yourself a couple of back-up College courses.
Below is a helpful reminder when re-considering your choice:
Choose Courses not Colleges
Many students get so fixed on going to a college that they only pick courses in that college. As a result, every year thousands of students drop out of courses that they have no interest in. Do your research now and pick courses that you are genuinely interested in.
Don’t concentrate solely on Points
Remember points go up as well as down and it happens that student’s results can be vastly different to what they expected. Again, choose your course based on preference, not points. Forget the idea that you should do a high points course just because you got high points. Do a course you are genuinely interested in regardless of points. You will be happier in the long run, and you will do better at something you’re interested in.
Put your courses in order of Genuine Preference
Fill in the course you most want as No. 1, and your second preference as No. 2 and so on to choice No. 10. Make sure you have researched every course on your list. Remember it does happen that students could be offered their 9th choice on the list. Also, don’t forget to fill in another ten Level 6/7 courses.
Research, Research, Research
Do you know what you’ll be studying in each of the courses you select? Can you fulfil the basic entry requirements for every course you put down? If you’re unsure check out the college’s website, careersportal.ie or qualifax.ie.
Finally, before you switch your attention and focus on your results, take stock of your accomplishment and reflect on your experience over the last two years of school. Take note of the qualities within you that enabled you to attempt the Leaving Cert.
Congratulate yourself on your perseverance, dedication, patience and effort. You have just accomplished a very difficult task and should be proud! Very often these individual strengths are not given enough credit and should be acknowledged by family and friends, but more importantly by you, the student. Well done!