Avondhu area students set for round 2 CAO offers

By
znR
-

Avondhupress.ie uses cookies. By continuing to browse this site you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Click here to find out more or Close

News

Avondhu area students set for round 2 CAO offers

Students throughout the area await the second round offers from the CAO – here’s some practical advice as Friday 28th approaches.

Wednesday, 26 August 2015
7:35 PM GMT



Offers Day Preparation

With the second round of CAO results set for release this Friday, August 28th, it’s important to remember the pressure to succeed is weighing heavy on young shoulders for students in the area and nationwide. Decisions made throughout this time period can have long term implications for your child, so it is important for parents in particular to approach results with a clear and level head.

Here are some useful CAO offer day tips:

PREPARING FOR CAO RESULTS WITH A PLAN B

According to the CAO, 40% of students do not receive their first, second or third preferences – this is a huge number and shows the importance of having a plan B.

Preparation ultimately begins with a conversation between parents and students in advance. It is important to talk through the options open to your child calmly before the results are out so that decisions are made proactively rather than in reaction to less than ideal results.

CAO RESULTS DAY IS A PROCESS THAT WILL COME AND GO

It is sometimes worthwhile to consider that the world will keep spinning, regardless of the course they are offered. If the desired course is not offered to your child, remind them that life will go on and there are other options available.

FOCUS ON THE BIGGER PICTURE

Exam results are important but they are one milestone in a much longer path to success. Steven Spielberg, Albert Einstein and Jane Austen are just some of the famous personalities who did not succeed in exams first time around but went on to create amazing work. Your child’s happiness is the goal, and it is important not to lose sight of that.

Regardless of the qualification or course preference offered, parents will always want to ensure their child is studying in a college that provides top quality education, while incorporating a practical element to ensure students are as best equipped as possible when it comes to seeking full time employment.

USING THE ‘AVAILABLE PLACES’ UTILITY AS AN OPTION

Students can take advantage of the ‘Available Places’ utility through the CAO in August and September. This enables colleges to advertise for places that haven’t been filled. I would highly recommended that parents and applicants check out this list online, regardless of whether they have been offered a place, as new courses that were not available at the time of deadline, might now be open for application.

REMEMBER YOUR OPTIONS

Most CAO students will find themselves being offered at least two choices through the CAO, namely a level 8 and a level 6/7 option. If your child’s level 8 option isn’t truly what they want to do, but the 6/7 is still in that area, then it would be wise to consider guiding your child in that direction. According to a recent HEA study (2014), nearly 17% of college students did not progress on to their second year of study. Any doubts surrounding a course should be addressed before accepting an offer to avoid regrets at a later stage.

MAKING THE JUMP TO THE NEXT CHAPTER

Regardless of the preferences offered to your child, it is important to remember that this is the start of an important new chapter in their life and it should be celebrated. Starting college is an exciting time and the student should be encouraged to make the most of it on all fronts; academically, socially and professionally.

- compiled by Richard Murphy, Griffith College Schools Liaison Officer



blog comments powered by Disqus



RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR