It is this time of year again when parents and teenagers have to pay for and complete the CAO Application Form through the Central Applications Office. They are bombarded with information from TV, Radio, Teachers, friends and articles in newspapers as to what to do and what not to do. Everyone has their own opinion, advice’s and guidance. Some of it good, some of it confusing, but overall it is good information to hear and / or read. If you haven’t completed your CAO yet and are still unsure of how to complete and what to choose, below are some thoughts to help you do it and move on to focus on the most important five months of your life to date.
When completing the CAO Application Form (best to do it On-Line), think about:
- What do I enjoy doing?
- Get onto Qualifax
- Choose 10 Level 8’s
- Choose 10 Level 6/7’s
- You can still change your mind
What do I enjoy doing?
From as far back as you can remember, what did you / do you enjoy doing? What are you in to, what motivates you, intrigues you? What subjects do you enjoy in school or part of subjects? What do your family, friends, teachers say about you? Think about all these things! Most importantly, think about what your heart and mind are telling you.
Get onto Qualifax
Get on to the Qualifax website. This has every part-time, full-time, PLC (Post-Leaving Certificate) course on there for you to pursue and analyse at your leisure. If you still require more information contact the college. There is always a person’s details at the footer of the course information. Entry requirements, subjects, resulting careers are all there to help you decide.
Choose 10 Level 8’s
Students often ask me, ‘Why is there a need to choose 10 Level 8’s, I know what I want to do, I’m confident of getting enough points so, I’ll just choose one’. There are so many things that can change, go wrong, leading up to, during and after the Leaving Certificate examinations. It is critical that you have other options of getting what you want through other colleges or courses.
Choose 10 Level 6/7’s
And more often, students ask me, ‘Why is there a need to choose any Level 6/7’s at all, I know what I want to do, I’m confident of getting enough points for my Level 8 and I do not wish to go to a Institute of Technology or College’s of Education. Firstly Institute of Technology’s are now up in the league of universities. Secondly, Level 6/7 Courses are a good back up for someone who deep down feel they may not achieve enough points for their Level 8 course, may not feel ready for Level 8 or may just simply be too young.
You can still change your mind
You have until Tuesday, 1st July to change your mind, though I would say to you that this first application to CAO should be close enough to what you want to do. The order of courses may change.
Best of luck…Saturday 1st February is looming…
I hope this helps…
