As a student who sat the Leaving Certificate last year and subsequently took the year off, I have some thoughts about the short-term future for those who have just received Leaving Cert results and offers of places. Many students decide to enter college once they have earned their place. However, going straight into education after the Leaving should not always be a must for those students.

I felt the importance of taking a year off academics - and I must say that I have no regrets at all. Although I didn't travel abroad at any stage during my deferral year, I still really enjoyed it.

I was getting out more, meeting new people and partaking in social events that I otherwise would not have been able to enjoy. My year was totally relaxed, yet I was working in the process.

However, the main issue for me taking the year off was that I had time to address a few important problems. I learned to become less stressed out about exam situations than I had been in previous years and I now feel more confident and relaxed about my academic year to come in October.

For anybody who has seriously thought about taking the year out, believe me, it is worthwhile. It takes away the pressure of studying, gives you the chance to travel abroad, earn money (if you wish) and/or pursue your own personal interests more often.

And, after all, it is only for one year.