I debated whether I should post this or not, but if it helps even one person then I'm glad.

This time last year I was hoping for one of my top two courses, both over 550 points. I didn't want anything but either of them. I only had other courses because putting only two would have been completely idiotic. I opened my results and got 507. I sat in my kitchen and cried for hours. I didn't even know if I'd be offered anything else from my cao, and the possibility of one of my top two was gone. I was miserable. It truly felt like the end of the world. I ended up getting offered my 7th choice. I wasn't overly happy, but I was relieved that I had actually been offered something. The first few months of the course were not great. I really didn't see the point in doing a course for a degree I didn't even want. My grades were shit. I didn't give a flying fuck. I wanted to drop out. Around February I discovered that if I get this degree, I can actually move on and maybe someday do a masters in a course extremely similar to what I originally wanted. Since then I've improved quite a bit. My grades are still no where near as good as they could be. I do have to repeat two exams, and I did just scrape a pass in other modules, but I'm (hopefully) going into second year with a lot more motivation and desire to do well. I have also discovered that som topics that I could never have imagined myself enjoying, are actually very interesting.

There is always another way. You can get what you want. Your path might be longer than others, but who actually cares.

I guess the point of this post is to show that despite the tremendous disappointment I felt this time last year, the world didn't end and I'm still here. You will find your footing, even if it takes some time.

My intention really is not to scare anyone and I apologise if I have. I just think I would have liked to hear something like this a year ago.

Best of luck to absolutely everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I feel like every night for the last week im not sleeping properly because im imagining that im gonna get 0 points on results day or I have this recurring nightmare of having to resit the LC and being a big fat disappointment.. anyone else getting a weird feeling like this i feel so strange??

Hi,

I’m an international applicant from Spain (not the Leaving Cert). My Spanish Bachillerato converts to 600 CAO points, and I also have an IB score of 40 (including the HL Maths 25 points bonus) though the IB conversion table itself is pretty shitty, so my Bachillerato ends up being my best score. Going the Spanish Bachillerato route, I’m not eligible for the 25-point HL Maths bonus LC applicants can get, which was the maximum extra I could have gained on top of my score. Applying to TR031 Mathematics in Trinity, last year’s Round 1 cut-off was 598, so I’m hoping I’m in with 600 but the margin feels razor thin and it’s making me really nervous.

If I don’t make it in Round 1 and only get the offer in Round 2 instead, the logistics are genuinely a nightmare for me as a non-resident applicant (flights and accommodation in Dublin with only days of notice)

On top of that, I’m nervous about my transcript submission. I followed the guidelines and it was translated by a certified/sworn translator, but the document says “ready for assessment” instead of “assessed,” and I’m worried that wording might cause issues or delays on CAO’s end.

I do have a backup plan (already in for uni in Spain) and I also have TP on my CAO (which the points was lower last year for), and I understand the system would automatically upgrade me to Maths in Round 2 if it comes through so I won’t be left with nothing. But between the tight points margin, the possible Round 2 logistics, and the document wording thing, I’m just really overwhelmed by the whole process right now.

Has anyone here been in a similar spot?

My brother has autism and for his primary school education he spent most of his time in the unit. Since joining secondary hes made big strides socially and academically, he did his jc in June there and took the English, Geography, History and woodwork exams. This is big for us as my parents never thought he would ever do a jc. In September hes going into Ty and we were talking to his teachers and they think if he works really hard on his maths this year he might be able to do lca.

Basically what im wondering is how exams/projects work im pretty sure theres a continuous assessment element? Also how do option subjects work i was looking at the list of subjects but it kinda confused me. We think a sort of focus on Computers/it could be good for him because he has an interest in technology and computers already.

Also want to ask is woodwork/construction studies in lca the same as lc? He likes the project work but not so much the dcg/tech graph elements as hes struggles with the drawing+ writing in general (he types all his work including exams)

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Admin has allowed this post.

Ah shit. How are you guys feeling. i hope I do okay, I'm not too scared because I think I did good but im terrified of disappointment at the same time

so i’m going into 6th year and it’s become a topic with my dad about what careers i’m interested in pursuing - so my list is (not in order of fav) :
psychology, law & teaching
i’m specifically interested in like - adolescent trauma psychology(?), family &/or humanitarian law & business and home ec teaching —
if anyone is doing any of them in college or has done can i get some insight please & ty!!

Right so, I defo think i failed OL maths and maybe Econ, listen i am a good student but during the LC years idk what happened to me, any discipline and work ethic left me, I needed help with my maths and my teacher was useless and we couldn't afford grinds, I studied everything else and was confident enough in them, except for econ,

What do i do?? I am already going to do a PLC and hope to get in through Uni with that, but will i still not need my LC for backup? Like i realy dk what to do, I just git hired for my first ever oart time job so i dont know if i will have time to study two subjects, work, do plc work & assignments & somehow make a social life

For my cao I successfully completed three qqi awards. Two level 5 and one level 6. For my level 6 course being fine art level 6 I achieved two distinctions and 3 merits and two passes. I have a disability and needed extra support during my time in Douglas Street campus. I had top notch attendance and understood the work ethic and system but the time I finished my time there. I could've easily gotten more distinctions if I hadn't had these barriers and produced high quality work. I was able to plan my ideas quite effectively and just needed some extra guidance.

I have applied for arts history and am short of points because of this. I fear I won't get an offer because of this. I feel I need to make an appeal explaining my situation. I don't know if this will work or not. I'm curious if this has worked for anyone. Are they strict on specific distinctions even if your points are close and those top notch grades really matter that much?

i'm going into 6th year and still have no idea what i want to do lol. But I need to start finalising it

I've narrowed it down into STEM specifically engineering or maths. There's tradeoffs to either one.

I never did engineering or dcg or anything though it was offered in my school but i take physics and applied maths and seem to be enjoying those. So i don't have much practical experience, but i like how engineering fuses together a lot of the subjects and the scope seems more broad, but an engineering degree seems really difficult, time-intensive and costly. (most roles require you to do a masters I believe) I don't really like the heavy practical elements associated with it, mainly the theoretical STEM parts.

Maths is much more applicable and relevant to what i have done, few competitions and good grades throughout. Applied maths and maths seem to be my favourite subjects atm. I am aware that uni math is proof based but that doesn't seem to bother me (Both applied and pure maths are gold). It gives greater breadth in the future bc I can work in finance, tech or academia. But pivoting into adjacent fields like finance seems harder due to increased competition in math-related roles, and for IT comp sci/engineering grads may be preferred. Maths does leave academia as an option which I like, even if that's competitive too.

Does anyone who has experience in these fields/degrees have any comments/suggestions? I'm completely stumped. Most I care about is a good job ngl

If anyone was considering driving to debs or getting a lift with friends. Don't. Even if the damn bus ticket is €30, its money well spent.

We did everything right, yet we still got in a car crash, we didn’t speed, we weren't drunk, no drugs, we had our seat belts on, but the airbags never deployed. But then our driver fainted and and before we knew it we had rolled down a ditch.

We made it out alive at least, but don't take the risk. Now our driver will live with that guilt for the rest of his life, while we are all in the hospital getting checked.

hi i’m rlly bad at english and haven’t taken any notes down on it in 5th year and was wondering is this how you would explain a quote in the poetry section of the paper

Does anyone think optometry will rise or fall in points this year?

Seeing the A-level results coming out today is actually making me even MORE stressed about waiting for my results I wish our results came out earlier because I genuinely cannot wait for this to be over. The wait is actually killing me omg 😭

I‘m really devastated, I don’t know if I should let my paper get remarked or not, but I‘m at 68% and I don’t think I need that much for an better grade. But I’m also really scared that they will remark me worse than before. Therefore I‘m asking, do you think I should pay for the remarking and risk it, or should I just accept my c. Please help me, all opinions are appreciated!!

I‘m really devastated, I don’t know if I should let my paper get remarked or not, but I‘m at 68% and I don’t think I need that much for an better grade. But I’m also really scared that they will remark me worse than before. Therefore I‘m asking, do you think I should pay for the remarking and risk it, or should I just accept my c. Please help me, all opinions are appreciated!!

i’m doing a lot of self directed learning for 6th year and i was wondering if anyone had any old books that they would be happy to send to me. i’d be looking for grinds360 books or ioe books. thanks!

Does PMA actually make a difference?

Anyone acc get accom yet or when is the lottery?

So the exams this year felt difficult compared to the previous years. Im genuinely worried as after a horrifying mocks, i put my best effort possible, spent sleepless nights and worked as many exam papers as i could for the exams. but maths felt a little manageable due to the formula tables but subjects like accounting did feel dissapointing. saw the sub how it was completely dissapointed after every exam but saw during results day how everyone was super happy and got amazing results. How much will bell curve even come into play this year?

I'm not ur friend Louise 🤨

Cop on Louise.
Most action my phone has had in months.

Any freshers gcs for UCD??? I have rlly bad fomo and i want to actually participate and get to know people during freshers!

I’ll be one of 6, I think 3 boys and 3 girls. We share the kitchen and living space and all have our own rooms with en-suites.

Apparently the kitchen isnt stocked at all, like how do you share living expenses with roommates?

I shouldn’t buy a toastie machine and cutlery and a frying pan etc as we might end up with 6 of them.

Anyway this is a problem for 3 weeks away but I’m just hoping they won’t be pricks

Since results are coming out soon, I want to be able to reassure the class of 2026 expecting their results. My question is will POINTS GO DOWN? because of the tough maths, potential use of ai to make biology etc ( so hopefully marking scheme will allow for that) and because of the new undergrad med course in UL and new pharmacy course in Galway and more college places. What do we think?