ISSU concerned about second-level teacher cuts

05/12/2011

The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) is greatly concerned by proposals in Budget 2012 to slash the number of second-level teaching posts by 700 and restrict student services for the academic year 2012/13.We are extremely concerned by any cuts on this scale, but particularly concerned as there are significant reforms taking place in the Junior and Senior Cycle which will require a more diverse range of expertise in school’s teaching staff.  Cutting 700 teaching posts will hugely hamper school’s ability to implement the new Junior Cycle syllabus in 2014 – it is envisaged that students will be able to take short-courses in new subject areas, but significant teacher cuts will limit school’s capacity to maintain their current subject load. The Department is misguided in removing additional hours for guidance councilors in schools. A move which will impact directly on vulnerable students.The ISSU is also concerned at how DEIS schools are being disproportionately hit, and urge the Minister to revisit this decision. Furthermore, we are very disappointed that the allowance for 16 and 17 year olds participating in Youthreach, Community Training Centres and FAS courses is being reduced to €40, and may result in fewer vunerable students remaining in education.Speaking today, an ISSU spokesperson described the cuts to guidance and counseling services as "shocking". Sly cuts like this impact on vulnerable students directly. We must remember that guidance councillors do more than just guide students on their options after second-level education, but are also someone students can turn too when they are in need. Guidance Councilors are the bedrock of any school and it is unjust to target this invaluable service.It is also envisged that schools will have more atonomy over capitation and programme funding – which is a welcome step.Yet again, young people are suffering for the mistakes of the past decade - a decade in which, we, the celtic tiger cubs were heedless to the negligence of the policy makers that left us in the economic crisis we find ourselves.Contact:ISSU National Office: 01 443 4461www.issu.ie, email communications@issu.ie

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NEW JUNIOR CERT IN THE HANDS OF STUDENTS

PRESS STATEMENT

Irish Second-Level Students' Union

*** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***

NEW JUNIOR CERT IS IN THE

HANDS OF STUDENTS

Minister Quinn invites ISSU to open student consultation

8 November 2011

The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union (ISSU) is delighted to accept Minister Ruairi Quinn’s invitation for ISSU to host a national consultation on the new name for the assessment, which will replace the Junior Certificate Examination.Leanne Caulfield, ISSU President said: “We welcome this opportunity to invite our student members to come up with a name for the Junior Cycle process that is youth-friendly, and which will enable young people to identify more with their own education. It is vitally important that young people play their part in any changes to the education system, and this will provide the opportunity for students to do just that.”Niall Dennehy, ISSU General Secretary said: “We will be looking for a name that is exciting, dynamic and ensures that young people make a greater connection with their learning. Young people are best placed to take the lead in redesigning the way in which students learn at Junior Cycle level, and this will act as the crucial first step in allowing them to do so.” Contact:ISSU Head Office: 01 443 4461www.issu.ie, email communications@issu.ie ***************** ENDS ***************** Notes to Editor:The Irish Second-Level Students' Union is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to represent and connect Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. ISSU is a not-for profit student rights organisation.At ISSU we believe that young people are not merely citizens in waiting - we deserve better, we deserve to be heard. We can and will contribute positively to society. It is so important that our voices, views and opinions are (i) heard (ii) listened to (iii) and most importantly respected.  ISSU's main aims include:•    To provide training and development of second-level school Student Councils, in conjunction with relevant bodies.•    To develop policies on issues affecting Irish second-level students and bring the needs and rights of students to the attention of the relevant authorities.•    To provide a transparent, democratic and reliable organisation.•    To work in collaboration with other educational institutions and bodies both in Ireland and Europe.•    To work closely with educational curriculum policy makers and teachers’ unions to continually develop a transparent, fair and modern education system.And most importantly, to give students a structured platform through which the voice of the Irish second-level student will be heard. 

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LC Viewing Scripts and Rechecks

Viewing Scripts

Will I be able to view my scripts this year?

Yes. The Viewing of Marked Scripts process provides Leaving Certificate Candidates with an opportunity to see how the script in question was marked. Each candidate will be allowed to bring one other person with him/her to the viewing session.Will I have access to my oral and practical marks?Only the scripts from the written and aural examinations are returned for viewing. However, the results of all examination components including written, oral, aural and practical components are re-marked on appeal.Is it essential that I view my scripts if I wish to appeal?No. An appeal application may be made without having viewed the script. However, the viewing facility provides a candidate, who may feel that his/her grade does not fully reflect his/her performance on the day of the examination, with an opportunity to see how the marking scheme was applied to the work.Can anyone else view my script?Only if they are accompanying you to the viewing. As the candidate concerned you must first decide whether or not you wish to view a script and then you must be present in person at the viewing centre in order to do so. Your scripts will not be released to any other person even with your permission. You may wish to take particular note of this requirement when making holiday arrangements.Where can I view my scripts?Marked scripts will be returned to the examination centre where you sat your examinations.How do I apply to view scripts?Application forms for Viewing Scripts are issued by the Commission to schools and other education providers together with the Leaving Certificate results. The forms are personalised and will show your exam details including your subjects. If you decide you would like to view a particular script(s) you mark the form accordingly. You must return the completed form to the school by Tuesday, 23rd August 2011. If you are an external candidate, your personalised application form will be sent to you with your results. The completed form should be returned directly to the school named on your personalised application form by the closing date of Tuesday 23rd August 2011.Is there a fee for this service?No. This service is provided to candidates without charge.What happens next?The Organising Superintendent appointed by the Commission to your school will assign you to a viewing sessions. The viewing sessions for the 2011 examinations are as followsSession 1.   Friday, 2nd September 2011 6.00 pm to 9.00 pmSession 2.   Saturday, 3rd September 2011 9.00 am to 12.00 noon.Session 3.   Saturday, 3rd September 2011 from 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm.What else do I need to know about viewing my marked script(s)?Click here to download the detailed information note for candidates viewing marked scripts.

Rechecks

What is the procedure for appealing results?The Commission will provide your school or education with a personalised appeal application form. In the case of external candidates the form will be enclosed with your results. This form is designed so that you can indicate the subject(s) you wish to appeal.What is the appeal fee?The fees for appealing a result in a subject in the certificate examinations are as follows:Leaving Certificate Established €40 per subjectLeaving Certificate Applied €15.50 per subjectAppeal fees must be paid in advance and will be refunded to you if your result is upgraded. The refund will be made through your school if you are entered by a school.How do I pay my appeal fee?If you decide to appeal, your appeal is clearly important to you. You alone have control over, and responsibility for, the vital first steps in making a valid appeal:use the giro/internet form provided, ensuring it is correctly completed.return it on time to the School/Organising Superintendent.Bank Giro facility: Your personalised appeal application form and associated bank giro form contains a unique reference number which enables the Commission to trace your payment and match it with your appeal application when it is received from your school. You should take the form to a bank and pay the fee through the bank giro facility. The form duly stamped by the bank should then be returned to the school so that your scripts can be associated with it and forwarded to the Commission. Please ensure that you use the bank giro form provided by the Commission. If you use a bank giro slip provided by the bank (which does not have a unique identifier) it may delay or totally invalidate your appeal because it could prove exceedingly difficult to subsequently establish that you actually paid the appropriate fee.Internet facility: When you have completed your appeal application procedure on the Internet you will be provided with a Form (which you must print) showing the subject(s) which you have opted to appeal. This Form should then be returned to the school so that your scripts can be associated with it and forwarded to the Commission.The On Line Appeals service will be available on the 26th August.If you are an external candidate (E10) you should return your personalised appeal application form/Internet form to the Organising Superintendent at the centre where you viewed your scripts so that he/she can forward your appeal application to the Commission with the script(s) concerned.What is the appeal closing date?The closing date for receipt of completed appeal applications for the 2011 Leaving Certificate Examinations is 5.30 pm on Wednesday, 7th September 2011. The closing date for Junior Certificate appeals will be announced at a later dateOutside of the formal appeal process, what can I do if, on viewing a script, I see what I believe is a clear discrepancy between the mark awarded and the grade awarded?In the event that you discover a clear and substantial discrepancy between the mark awarded and the grade awarded, you should ask the Organising Superintendent at the location where you viewed your scripts for a Form AP1 and complete it in accordance with the instructions. The Organising Superintendent will attach this form to your script and send it to the Commission in Athlone where it will receive immediate attention.You should note that this facility applies only where it is clear that the total mark awarded is inconsistent with the grade awarded and where the matter can be resolved administratively (i.e. without recourse to the question paper or the marking scheme).The test therefore for what can receive immediate attention after the viewing of scripts is a very rigorous one. Any issue of interpretation regarding disallowed questions, computation of marks within questions and in the script, in relation to the application of the marking scheme, or claims that work has not been fully marked can be resolved only through the formal appeal process and the re-application of the marking scheme by an appeal examiner.Candidates who opt for this administrative facility should be aware that, because of the short time interval involved, they are unlikely to know the outcome in relation to their claim before the passing of the appeal deadline. It may be prudent, therefore, to lodge a formal appeal, so that in the event that the point raised is not upheld, or requires interpretation by an Examiner, you will not have denied yourself access to the appeals process because of the passing of the appeal deadline.[issuu width=550 height=390 showHtmlLink=false documentId=110817104817-0ab6da68e2904b84b84abc8713cce2f2 name=a11 username=issu4u tag=education unit=px id=e40eab5e-c721-fab4-22bf-b7fc496db2f4 v=2]

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IT’S NOT THE LEAVING. ONLY THE BEGINNING

PRESS STATEMENT
Irish Second-Level Students' Union

IT’S NOT THE LEAVING. ONLY THE BEGINNING

Second-Level Students' Union congratulates the Class of 2011

17 August 2011

The Irish Second-Level Students’ Union would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the 57,532 examination candidates upon receiving their Leaving Certificate and Leaving Certificate Applied results today. However, the ISSU questions the suitability of the Leaving Certificate Examination structure and the points system.Speaking this morning, an ISSU spokesperson said:“Leaving Cert results day is different for everyone. There will be people who are dying to find out how they did and people who’d rather hide under the bed. Whatever happens and however you did, it’ll be ok. It is not the be all and end all. You have the next few days to take stock, and maturely evaluate your options. Seek advice from your school guidance councilor, talk to your parents and make use of the various exam help lines. Most of all enjoy today, and celebrate today’s passing sensibly”.The ISSU spokesperson went on to say:“As a society we need to strongly evaluate the suitability of our examination structure and indeed the, infamous points system. We welcome and strongly support Minister Quinn’s commitment to look into this matter. The Leaving Certificate encourages rote learning whilst stifling creativity, lateral thinking and individuality. Although the examination structure has elements that are fair, there must be a better, fairer way. The points race puts our young people to the pin of their collar physically, mentally and emotionally. It is widely accepted that the time has come for change, let’s not waste time or money researching it and put a plan into action. The ISSU would facilitate a student consultation to ensure young people are consulted and to guarantee that their voice is heard. It’s time we left the Leaving behind us”.***************** ENDS *****************Notes to Editor:The Irish Second-Level Students' Union (ISSU) is the national umbrella body for school Student Councils, aiming to represent and connect Irish second-level students the length and breadth of the country, ensuring that the voice of the Irish second-level student is heard and striving for innovation and democracy within the education system. ISSU is a not-for profit student rights organisation.At ISSU we believe that young people are not merely citizens in waiting - we deserve better, we deserve to be heard. We can and will contribute positively to society. It is so important that our voices, views and opinions are (i) heard (ii) listened to (iii) and most importantly respected.ISSU's main aims include:

  • To provide training and development of second-level school Student Councils, in conjunction with relevant bodies.
  • To develop policies on issues affecting Irish second-level students and bring the needs and rights of students to the attention of the relevant authorities.
  • To provide a transparent, democratic and reliable organisation.
  • To work in collaboration with other educational institutions and bodies both in Ireland and Europe.
  • To work closely with educational curriculum policy makers and teachers’ unions to continually develop a transparent, fair and modern education system.
  • And most importantly, to give students a structured platform through which the voice of the Irish second-level student will be heard.
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Getting your Leaving Cert Results

Leaving Cert results day is different for everyone. There will be people who are dying to find out how they did and people who’d rather hide under the bed. Whatever happens and however you did, it’ll be ok. It is definitively not the be all and end all. Some of history’s brightest people didn’t ace their exams or get where they wanted to be straight away.

Online or at school?

You can get your results at your school or from 12 noon online at www.examinations.ie. Do whatever you feel most comfortable with. Going to school can actually be a good option as you’ll be with your friends and you’re all in the same boat, and the camaraderie can get you through. Your principal and teachers should also be around to give you help and advice.That said, you might not want to be surrounded by people and that’s ok too.

Working out the points – take your time, don’t panic

After all the exams, adding together a few numbers might seem like a walk in the park, but with nerves, it’s easy to count things twice or not at all. Take a deep breath, and take your time. If you’re not the best at the old arithmetic, get out your calculator, and if you’re not sure ask someone to double check it for you. There is also a points calculator here.

The CAO offers

Results are out on Wednesday the 17 August, then come the celebrations (no matter how you did, it’s over, right?) and on Monday 22 August, the ‘first round’ of CAO offers will be sent to your house and uploaded to www.cao.ie – log on to find yours. The ‘second round’ will come out on the 1 September.Each offer will come with a date that you must accept it by – this is usually seven days later, so it’s important to be on the ball in terms of accepting it. There should be instructions about how to do that within the offer. The points required for each course will be published in the newspaper, so you should have a good idea what you might be offered in the coming days. Even if you haven’t hit the nail on the head in terms of points, if you’re not too far off you might still get an offer in the ‘second round’.

The rounds

In the first round, offers will be sent to people who got the required points or more for their CAO choices. In the second round, offers start to go out for any places that haven’t been filled and this keeps going until all places are allocatedIf you got the points for your first choice on either the degree or diploma list in the first round, you’ll be offered those and that’s it– you don’t have the option to pick your second choice, but hopefully you’ll be delighted with your choice.If you got the points for your second, third, or fourth choice on either list in the first round, you will be offered that, but may receive offers of your higher preferences in the second round. It’s ok to go ahead and accept these offers, and change to a higher preference if this arrives in the next week or two. Your latest acceptance will automatically undo any previous acceptances.However, if you deicide you’d like to stick with the original offer, you can, just by ignoring the new offer.In some cases, where too many people got the same points compared to the number of places available, there will be random selection of people accepted. Don’t worry, this doesn’t happen very often. You might still get the offer as people accept and turn down places.Offers will continue after the second round until places are filled, and this might take a little while, but it also means that you might have options that you weren’t expecting. That said, it’s good to keep making plans in the mean time.

Views, checks and appeals

If you want to view a paper, either because you want to have something re-checked or maybe because you’re thinking of repeating and want to see where you could improve, you need to apply to do this by the 23 August – so next Tuesday. There should be a form in your school that you can fill in.Viewings will take place on the 2 and 3 September in your school, and you can bring one person with you – it might be good to ask the teacher of the subject you want viewed, as they should have the most helpful perspective on whether or not you should appeal.To re-check or appeal your result, you need to apply by the 7 September and pay a fee, and results of appeals are out in October. There’s more information on this process on www.examinations.ie.Good luck with your exam results from all at ISSU

Anxious whilst waiting for you results?

Waiting for exam results can be a scary time; it's like you have an appointment with fear! As the hype starts to ratchet up, your stomach may very well start to churn. Of course this is normal. It is to be expected that you feel stressed, nervous, panicky and anxious. You may not even realise that you are feeling the effects of stress.  If you feel like you would like to talk to someone send Headsup a free text and they will text you back a list of helplines and support services. Just text HEADSUP to 50424.You may not even realise that you are feeling the effects of stress. The stress of waiting for exam results could mean that you are experiencing the following:

  • Difficulty in concentrating
  • Headaches, abdominal pain, tightness in your chest, pounding heart or breathing difficulties
  • Difficulty in getting to sleep at night
  • Recurring nightmares
  • Abnormal eating habits – eating more than usual or having no appetite for food
  • Irritability
  • Loss of sense of humour and a feeling that things are out of proportion
  • Increased intake of coffee
  • Increase in number of cigarettes smoked
  • Negative thoughts
  • Withdrawal from friends and social situations
  • Lack of motivation
  • Overly tired despite adequate sleep
  • Feeling run-down

What causes stress around exam results time? Apart from the obvious fear of receiving results that are not what you expected, a lot of other factors are at play during this time. These include:

  • Wanting to obtain results that reflect the work you put into your studies
  • Pressure to fulfil the expectations of others
  • The need to obtain results to progress to the next step in your career, the course, university or area of work of your choice
  • The fact that these exams results may signify a new phase in your life. You may be leaving home, leaving your friends, leaving the country or changing your normal routine
  • The whole uncertainty of your decisions – have you chosen the right course for you, have you made the right decision?
  • Wanting to get results similar to your friends and peers
  • Fear of failure

What you can do before the exam results?Look after yourself: In the days leading up to the exam results try to allocate some time for relaxation. This is really important as we often are too busy or too worked-up to think about taking a certain amount of time to just do something that relaxes you. This could include a long soak in a bubble bath, a walk by the beach, time spent on your Xbox or Playstation or just listening to your favourite music. It will be different for everyone and that's ok as long as you know what relaxes you and you put the time aside for that activity.Exercise: Exercise is an excellent way of dealing with stress and pressure. You may find it difficult to start exercising but hormones such as endorphins released during exercise help you feel better about yourself and the challenges you face.Talk to your friends: Consider talking to your friends who no doubt are going through similar feelings as you.Acknowledge your feelings: During this time you may feel anxious, nervous, excited, hopeless, nauseous or down. It's important that you recognise how you are feeling and express those feelings. If you feel you don't want to talk to someone about them, consider keeping a journal or expressing it through art. Check out our Art from the Heart section that allows you to express your feelings anonymously through art. http://www.headsup.ie/heart/Realise your own expectations: Take time to realistically consider your expectations for your exam results. Find out what results you would be happy with based on your own targets and not on the expectations of others. What subjects are you good at? What results are you hoping for in that subject? What subjects are you not so strong at? And what results would you be happy with in these subjects? Remember everyone has strengths and weaknesses.Address the unrealistic expectations of others: If you feel your stress is the result of the unrealistic expectations of others, sit them down and talk to them about what you feel is realistic and why. Dealing with the unrealistic expectations of others can be very difficult to cope with. Once this expectation is discussed and managed properly, it can be a huge relief.Consult a GP: If you feel like the stress you are experiencing is impacting negatively on your daily life and normal activities, consult a GP for further advice and treatment.How to manage stress after you get your exam resultsOnce you get your exam results, the immediate stress may be reduced. Congratulations! The wait is over and now you can consider your next step. Some people will be celebrating; others may be a bit disappointed but it is important to consider the following:After you receive your exams results, trust yourself and have the confidence to know you did your best: It can be easy to look back over your study time and think 'I could have done more' but this is not a very useful thing to do. Retrospective thinking may not always be realistic thinking.One person's disappointment is another person's success: Remember that everyone has different expectations of themselves and goals in life. Be aware of this during the exam results period.Put your results into perspective: Whether you have achieved the results you expected or not, remember that exams are stepping stones to something bigger. Exams are not always goals in themselves; they can be a means to a goal. Stepping stones can be of different sizes and sometimes may be difficult but the important thing is for them to be used productively to reach where you want to be. Marks should not be the goal; they only help you reach the next class or a level closer to your desired career. If you are disappointed about your results, your goal does not need to change but how you reach that goal may be different. Check out the goal setting fact sheet in the well-being section. http://www.headsup.ie/goalsetting.phpLearn to disassociate your performances from who you are: Everyone is made up of a lot of abilities and skills. Exams judge skills and knowledge; they are not a judgement about a person or a reflection of a person's self-worth. Remember this, it is important. If you find yourself thinking negatively recently, check out the Noticing Unhelpful Thinking and Changing Unhelpful Thinking modules in the Self Help section. http://www.headsup.ie/selfhelp/index.phpTreat yourself: The exam results are a stressful time and the hours of work put into achieving them deserves a reward. Whether you are delighted or disappointed with your results, allow yourself the time to treat yourself. If big celebrations are planned, be careful around your alcohol intake. Visit www.drinkaware.ie for more information.How can I prepare mentally for receiving my Leaving Cert results?Looking after your general mental health is something we should always do but especially around stressful periods. There are a lot of things you can do to prepare mentally for your leaving cert results. Set aside relaxation time and include rest in your daily schedule. Do not allow other obligations to take up time set aside for relaxation. This is your time to take a break from all responsibilities and to recharge your batteries.

  • Connect with others. Spend time with positive people who enhance your life. A strong support system will buffer you from the negative effects of stress.
  • Do something you enjoy every day. Make time for leisure activities that bring you joy, whether it be exercising, listening to music or dancing or any of the suggestions listed above.
  • Keep your sense of humour. This includes the ability to laugh at yourself. The act of laughing helps your body fight stress in a number of ways.

Learn the relaxation responseYou can control your stress levels with relaxation techniques that evoke the body's relaxation response, a state of restfulness that is the opposite of the stress response. Regularly practicing these techniques will build your physical and emotional resilience.Adopt a healthy lifestyleYou can increase your resistance to stress by strengthening your physical health. The following can help with strengthening your physical health:

  • Exercise regularly. Physical activity plays a key role in reducing and preventing the effects of stress. Make time for at least 30 minutes of exercise, three times per week. Nothing beats aerobic exercise for releasing pent-up stress and tension.
  • Eat a healthy diet. Well-nourished bodies are better prepared to cope with stress, so be mindful of what you eat. Start your day right with breakfast, and keep your energy up and your mind clear with balanced, nutritious meals throughout the day.
  • Reduce caffeine and sugar. The temporary "highs" caffeine and sugar provide often end with a crash in mood and energy. By reducing the amount of coffee, soft drinks, chocolate, and sugar snacks in your diet, you will feel more relaxed and you will sleep better.
  • Avoid alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs. Self-medicating with alcohol or drugs may provide an easy escape from stress, but the relief is only temporary. Don't avoid or mask the issue at hand; deal with problems head on and with a clear mind.
  • Get enough sleep. Adequate sleep fuels your mind, as well as your body. Feeling tired will increase your stress because it may cause you to think irrationally.

How can I relieve the stress of exams results day?In the build-up to receiving your Leaving Cert results there are many things you can do to ensure that you are as stress-free as possible. If you have been keeping a stress diary, you will know what type of things stresses you out, how you react to stress and how to best deal with stress.If you have not been keeping a stress diary, you can still benefit from stress relief techniques. There are many healthy ways to manage and cope with stress. You can either change the situation or change your reaction. When deciding which option to choose, it's helpful to think of the four As: Avoid, Alter, Adapt, or Accept.Avoid the stressor, which means changing the situationAlter the stressor, which means changing certain aspects of the stressorAdapt to the stressor, which means changing your reaction to the stressorAccept the stressor, which means accepting the stressful issue in your life and learning from it.You cannot change the fact that the Leaving Cert results will arrive but you can alter the stressor, adapt the stressor or accept the stressor. For example, if the idea of going into the school to collect your results, meet your teachers and friends causes you stress then get your results online or via telephone.In order to adapt the stressor you could adapt how you think about the Leaving Cert results. Instead of seeing them as a major milestone, view them as one step to where you want to be in your future life and career.In order to accept the stressor, just acknowledge that getting exams results is a stressful time but something that a lot of people go through in order to get to the next point in their lives.Suppose all my friends do better than me, how can I show that I am happy for them if I'm disappointed with my results?It can be difficult experiencing mixed emotions. On one hand you are disappointed with your own results but happy for your friends. Remember these people are your friends. Just tell them how you feel. Honest conversations between friends are what keep friendships alive. Don't let this situation be any different from others.Are there any physical signs to show that I'm stressed? How do I deal with these?There are some physical signs that may indicate that you are stressed. These include some of the following:

  • Headaches
  • Aches and pains
  • Indigestion
  • Feeling faint
  • Constant fatigue
  • Dizziness
  • Blurred vision
  • Diarrhoea or constipation
  • Nausea, dizziness
  • Chest pain, rapid heartbeat, tightness in chest
  • Loss of sex drive
  • Frequent colds

If these physical symptoms are persistent, consult your GP.What are the emotional symptoms that indicate I'm stressed? How do I deal with these?Some of the emotional symptoms of stress include the following:

  • Moodiness
  • Irritability or short temper
  • Agitation, inability to relax
  • Feeling overwhelmed
  • Sense of loneliness and isolation
  • Depression or general unhappiness

In order to deal with these symptoms, take some time to relax and look after yourself. Do something you enjoy and that takes your mind off all your worries. Talk to someone you can trust and tell them exactly how you are feeling. If you would prefer to talk to someone you do not know, free text HEADSUP to 50424 for a list of support organisations.

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Leaving Cert Results HELPLINE

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ISSU recommends the exam advice helpline courtesy of National Parents Council in association with the Irish Independent, the Institute of Guidance Councillors, Eircom and supported by the Dept. of Education & Skills.The Institute of Guidance Counsellors provides qualified guidance counsellors to give advice and support to both students and their parents.The Leaving Certificate Results for 2011 will be released on Wednesday 17th August. The Helpline will be in operation at 8am on Wednesday 17th of August and continue as follows;

Wednesday (17th) 8am – 7pm

Thursday (18th) 8am – 7pm

Friday (19th) 10am - 3pm

Monday (22nd) 8am - 7pm

Tuesday (23rd) 8am - 7pm

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