Not getting the points for a course you had worked so hard for seems like the worst possible scenario, but that wouldn’t happen, right? Lara Quirke from Claremorris, Co Mayo thought the same thing. However, the day came when the CAO released their offers, and Lara did not receive hers.That was back in 2021, Lara was 18, fresh out of the Leaving Cert with only dreams of going to college. Now, she was faced with the worst possible outcome. Instead of changing course, or taking her second offer, Lara decided the best decision for her would be a gap year.
“I didn’t decide to do a gap year. It was kind of forced. I didn’t get what I wanted on the CAO. I got offered a lot of level sevens, but if I’m being honest I thought I worked too hard to accept a course that wasn’t my first choice. I did my leaving cert in 2021, and the points shot up for everything. I was aiming for 500 and I got 494. So yeah, split second decision, I think the results came out at like two o’clock and I knew at like half two that I was taking a gap year.
“I did not plan for a gap year at all, but it was kind of my only choice. I didn’t want to accept a course I didn’t really want to do. I quit my job in the local pub in October, so for about a month I was unemployed and not in college and I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do with my life. It was probably the hardest month that I've ever gone through."
Maturing
Often times gap years are not planned but they can be extremely beneficial. College is expensive and the gap year allows a chance to save money, as well as chance to have a break before committing to four years of studying. Lara believes she has matured massively over her year out.
“I was a different person starting it than I was at the end. Its a lot more than just ‘Oh I’m taking a gap year and I’m working’. There’s highs and lows. The highs are you get to go on holidays because you have the money. And I did my driving test and I passed. I bought a car. And then the lows are sitting at home while all your friends are in college and wondering like ‘Why do they get to be there and I don’t?’, and kind of the FOMO of it all. Everyone works so hard for the Leaving Cert for getting to college and it doesn’t happen for everyone.”
'Growth is not linear'
While 85 per cent of applicants secure a course from their top-three places, it is possible that some students will be left disappointed. Lara has advice for those who might be in the same situation as she was; “Don’t settle for second best, you know, if there’s a course that you have your heart set on and you don’t get it, take a gap year. You will get it next year.
“Everything happens for a reason, and a big thing that I stand by is growth is not linear. You might have to take the scenic route but it's beneficial, you are going to meet so many people along the way. And everyone’s gap year is a different experience. But I think it's the most beneficial thing that you can do. You are going into college so much more mature because you wait a year to get there and you want it so much more than everyone else.”
