At last, the long wait is over

C ONGRATULATIONS to the record 52,274 candidates who received college offers today. Most nabbed one of their top three choices, which shows they used the CAO system wisely.

A total of 43,113 offers were made for honours degree Level 8 courses – just over half got their first choice while 79pc got their first, second or third.

At levels 6/7, 33,538 offers were made. Some 86pc received their top preference, while a massive 97pc got their first, second or third.

There have been big changes to the Leaving Cert grading system and CAO points scale this year, which gave rise to added uncertainty about how the offers would play out. The fact so many got one of their top preferences tells its own story.

The reforms were designed to make the system fairer and reduce the numbers offered places on random selection. But with more than 80,000 individuals chasing nearly 50,000 places, inevitably some people were disappointed.

They either got no offer or one that was way down their list. There are others who did the Leaving in June but never applied to the CAO and are still wondering what to do next. And then there will be those who received an offer for a high choice course, and who may already have decided that they don’t want it.

If, for whatever reason, progression to higher or further education is not on the agenda for a schoolleaver this year they should keep that thought alive.

The good news is that there are plenty of options available and whatever your mindset today, there is a path to a fulfilling future, even if it is not immediately obvious.

There also a lot of support out there, such as the National Parents Council Helpline, which is open today, tomorrow and Wednesday.

Throughout these pages, Aoife Walsh – guidance counsellor at Malahide Community School, Co Dublin, and regular Irish

Independent columnist – shares advice and information to guide both those holding a CAO offer and those who do not .

There is a host of other features to assist students to navigate the transition from school to college, and their parents in the emotional journey ahead. Students will still need family support and, most of all, love while they are in college.

And please read the inspiring stories of students, or recent graduates, for whom things did not always go according to plan, but who are thriving.

Good luck.