With Leaving Certificate exam results due later this week, students have been advised that all is not lost if they do not get the grades they are looking for.
Almost 57,000 students are anxiously awaiting their results on Wednesday and a number of organisations have stressed that they are on hand to help cope with the pressure.
The Samaritans said today that the build up to exam results is a time filled with tension for students as they contemplate their futures. The charity stressed that its helpline was open to anyone who wished to contact it looking for support.
“We need to stop reinforcing the message that exam grades are the single most important fact in determining a young person’s future. They’re not. Young people need to be reassured they are valued and that there are
many different options open to them," said Mary Malcolm, regional publicity officer with the charity.
Headsup, a free 24-hr text support service operated by Rehab, said it expects to see a spike in the number of texts received from stressed students over the next few weeks.
In August 2007 the service received over 2,500 texts from young adults seeking help.
Rehab's chief executive Angela Kerins said that results season can be tough for those who do not get the grades required for the courses they wish to enrol on.
“The Leaving Certificate results, in particular, can represent a crossroads in a person’s life and it can be a particularly difficult time for students whether they have concerns over their grades, decisions about their future or anxiety over starting college. While for some, it is undoubtedly a time of celebration, for others it can still be a time of stress and isolation which is why it is crucial that young people know that they have somewhere to turn to for support and information," said Ms Kerins.
Meanwhile, students intent on hitting the town to celebrate their results on Wednesday have been urged to take care.
Drinkaware.ie, an initiative set up by the drinks industry-sponsored group MEAS (Mature Enjoyment of Alcohol in Society), has issued guidelines to ensure that students stay safe.
The organisation is urging students to eat before they head out, carry an ID card, look out for their friends and plan ahead how they will get home safely.
"After the tension and stress of the June exams and the anxious wait for the results, students will be looking forward to celebrating on Wednesday. We would encourage students to plan ahead and check out the drinkaware.ie website to ensure their night is one to remember for all the right reasons," said Fionnuala Sheehan, chief executive of MEAS.
The Irish Times has launched a free results and offers advice service that will offer guidance to students on their Leaving Certificate results and CAO offers.
Qualified guidance counsellors from the Institute of Guidance Counsellors (IGC) will be on hand to provide help and assistance to individuals.
The results advice line number is freefone 1800 946 942. Phonelines will be open from 8am -8pm .
E-mail queries should be sent to advice@irish-times.ie
