CAO Tips

Dolls & Gents, 

Hope you all are keeping well. I am planning to do more college focused blogs next week so keep an eye out for that! 

Ah the good old Central Applications Office, the website that makes you feel it has your whole life planned out in just a list from 1-10. The CAO can be the most daunting thing you do, but it's important you chose purely for yourself because at the end of the day it is you and only you that will be spending 3-4 years in the course, not your parents, friends or the society that tells you what's best. Best thing is to go with your heart and the rest will all fall into place. Here are a few tips that will prevent you from pulling your hair out. 

1. Make a list- 

I make lists about everything and anything everyday, whether it be a what I need to do today list or study list, I will find any excuse to make one. Lists just keep everything clean, clear and calm. What I did last year was write a list based on 3 things, Interests, Hobbies and Favourite Subjects. All these three things correspond with Course Content, Subjects Taught and Careers or Further Progression that linked with course finder on Qualifax. This will help eliminate what you want and don't want to do. It helped me so much as for example on my list there below, I had Marketing. I found out while researching there was a lot of math involved and no english, writing, reading etc, therefore Marketing was scored out from my checklist. This is tedious but through endless searching I found my dream course that is English and Media Studies. I get to read and write on endless English classics whilst analysing advertisements and how to read film, it suits me down to a tee. This is your future, so base it around you and only you. 

2. Ask People who are qualified in the field you want to go into: 

This was something I found extremely useful, having wanting to study either teaching or media I went and looked for advice via my sister and my teachers. My sister is the PR executive for Lottie Dolls, she studied Communications in DCU. Marie being the big protective sister she is gave me great advice on her job, her college life and how Public Relations isn't just based on getting likes on social media. Same goes for teaching, I remember we had a careers day in school and English teacher Mr Harmon, told us all what it's like to be a secondary teacher, it gave me a real insight into both jobs. Both speakers were so honest, they gave the pros and cons which again is something you will need to know. This is something you hope to get job out of in the end of your 3/4 years so it is important you know what you are getting yourself into. 

My Beautiful sister

3. Know your back route ways & add right amount to CAO.

Although you may know in the back of your mind what you want to do and what course you are set on doing. It is important to know your options incase it doesn't go your way. Whether it be repeating the year or simply adding a few extra level 7/6's to get you into the course later. It is daunting thinking about that, believe me I use to feel so anxious about it.  DO NOT put any course down that you don't want to do but just feel as though it will get you into a college. That is the worse thing you can do, you will end up in a course you don't like, want to drop out and feel miserable. I heard of people that have done that and they regret it. Dropping out can affect you both financially and mentally. Just put down courses you actually WANT to do and not because you wanted to fill in the spaces. 

BridgingApps.com

4. Everyone is different: 

It is important to know that everyone has different choices and we all should respect that. If someone wants to do a back route course instead of repeating or vice versa it's important to respect that decision. Comments like ' I wouldn't do that' ' ,You can't get a job if you do that' etc, It can really affect some people and put them off their choices. At the end of the day, it's your decision and only yours. Don't listen to any negative comments or don't give any comments to others on your or their choices. Just keep doing you. Everything will fall into place and I'm a strong believer in  the old saying 'Everything happens for a reason.' 

Hope that is helpful to anyone, honestly the best advice is to do what you want to do. Whether it be a teacher, chef, nurse, writer, astronaut, or clown. As long as you are happy that is the main thing. 

Talk soon and stay happy and healthy! 

Niamh 

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