Sixth year students around the country have entered the second week of their Leaving Certificate exams.
The infamous end-of-school assessments are the ultimate test for students' educational knowledge, but are also a major mental challenge for the youngsters.
Every June adults will reminisce about their own Leaving Cert experience, offering advice to the current cohort or warning them of the nightmares about the exams that they'll have for years to come.
Nowadays, there are plenty of options for students to get on the career path of their choice even if the Leaving Cert doesn't go to plan, including countless apprenticeship and PLC programmes. Despite this, the exams continue to be a major stress for students, with many describing "panic and fear" after a difficult Maths Paper 1 last Friday.
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When the exams kicked off last week, Minister for Education Norma Foley acknowledged the pressure students are under and urged them to "reach out" if they come under stress.
"They have done the work and now is the opportunity for them to showcase the work," she told reporters.
"If there comes a point where you are under particular stress or there's a particular difficulty for you, reach out. I'm a great believer in reaching out.
"Everyone in the school community is invested in every student doing the best that they can. So I would say reach out, seek the support from family and friends and support one another."
Do you think the Leaving Certificate puts too much stress on students? Do you think more youngsters should consider career options that don't require CAO points? What are your memories of your own Leaving Certificate? Let us know in the comments below.
