There is a path for everyone

First round CAO offers out today

Between returning to school or picking exam results, education has been at the forefront of everybody’s agenda for the past couple of days.

Students in uniforms are slowly starting to make a return to our towns and villages as the semester begins on a phased basis for most schools. Roads too have gotten busier with the presence of buses or parents doing the school drop off. With August nearly out, September is certainly upon us.

For the 1,000 plus students who picked up Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied results last Friday (August 22) they will be off to discover the next chapter in their lives.

For those looking to go to university, CAO Round One offers are available online today (Wednesday), August 27, from 2pm; while round two offers will be available on Monday, September 8 from 2pm.

While going to university is a path chosen by many students, there are plenty of other avenues to education available on your doorstep, which can be discovered on the next few pages.

For example, Cavan Institute offers students an exciting range of over 70 Post-Leaving Cert (PLC) courses, along with apprenticeship and traineeship opportunities.

Meanwhile the Tertiary degree route, can also be accessed locally, where students can discover a unique route into the BSc (Hons) in Intellectual Disability Nursing at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT).

The Options Project also gives students aged 16-24 the opportunity to receive mentor support to take the next step in their lives, by achieving goals they created themselves.

Some may embrace this transitional time in life, while others may feel overwhelmed, scared or disappointed with their results. As the next few pages will show, there is a path for everybody.

Helpline

To connect with a guidance counsellor, you can call the Leaving Cert Helpline on 1800 265 165, or text GUIDANCE to 086-1800-685.