Keep calm and carry on: CAO ‘change of mind’ deadline is Saturday July 1

IRELAND’S most important state exam, the Leaving Certificate, is well and truly underway and thousands of students in exam centres across Ireland are drawing on their years of learning and preparation in an effort to achieve results which best reflect their hard work and ability. For many who have their sights set on attending college, these results translate to all important CAO points, the entry key to college courses across the country.

The future and the prospect of college, while exciting, can also be overwhelming for these young adults attempting to choose which path they should follow. Students interested in going forward to third level education have already submitted their initial CAO application forms, but with the CAO Change of Mind deadline of Saturday 1st July fast approaching, and during what is already a stressful exam period, many student minds will be consumed with a myriad of questions and uncertainty. To help ease some of this stress and anxiety, Leaving Certificate students may be considering the Institute of Technology Tralee (IT Tralee), a popular choice for students from the greater Munster area. Below are some helpful tips to guide you on the correct path to further education:

Your No.1 Priority is Your Exams – While the CAO Change of Mind deadline is quickly approaching, it is not until after the Leaving Certificate has finished, on Saturday 1st July that your final decision has to be made. Therefore, focus on the task at hand, doing your very best at each exam as it comes.

Research, Research, Research! – There are thousands of fantastic courses in a wide range of colleges to choose from, with new courses constantly being developed and added such as the new BA (Hons) in Counselling with Addiction and BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering now on offer at IT Tralee. From the comfort of your bedroom, sitting room or kitchen table you can access online college prospectuses and dive into the nitty gritty of how similar courses differ by college, depending on modules or work placement offerings.

Ask For Advice – Many people have been in your shoes and know how exciting but also scary this big decision can be. Ask those who have gone through this process, such as brothers, sisters, cousins, older friends, parents or your teachers for their advice.