A study in 2014 by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI), which tracked about 900 students through the second-level system and beyond, found many ill-prepared for making decisions about college.

The ESRI found inadequate career guidance to help steer individual students towards the right path as a key problem. Thankfully, this issue is being addressed by the current government and is in the agreed programme for government that will hopefully ensure the restoration of a meaningful guidance counselling service for all students going forward.

On average, about one in six first-year college students does not continue to the second year of their course. They either drop out or switch courses. This is largely blamed on making the wrong choice.

The very multiplicity of courses out there at undergraduate level adds greatly to the complexity of the decision-making process, for example trying to decide the difference between, electronic, computer, mechanical, biomedical and civil engineering.

The more generic entry routes being adopted by some universities are welcomed in this regard, and will ease the pressure but currently there are still 1,400 (ie 900 Level 8 and 500 Level 6/7) courses in the CAO Handbook. The IGC supports the call from the steering group chaired by Dr Philip Nolan to greatly reduce the options on offer to students on entry and to allow them to refine their module choices as they progress through their degree programme.

The function of education is to develop the person. It is the holistic model that guidance counsellors support, which includes viewing the whole person, developing life skills such as resilience, flexibility, interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, communication skills and adaptability for change which supports lifelong learning.

In choosing a suitable bespoke course where a student can reach their personal potential, grow in confidence, taste success and develop their unique skills, students can flourish and develop in a most unbelievable way.

Many of our students are presenting with increasing mental health issues due to family circumstances. This is hardly surprising when you integrate depression, anxiety, self-esteem issues, sexual identity and, in more severe cases, self-harm and suicide ideation with such a high-stakes exam as the Leaving Cert.

This can come on top of parents and guardians who sometimes have very high expectations for their children or, at the other end of the spectrum, parents who relate poorly to their children and show little interest. This gives you an insight into the very demanding challenges that are put on the shoulders of our young students.

I am constantly hearing from fellow IGC members of the stresses that parents and guardians are experiencing in trying to help and support their students at this crucial crossroads in their lives. Parents and guardians are frequently overwhelmed as they try to support and influence in facilitating their children’s educational choices.

The guidance counsellor is the conduit between colleges, students and parents. Parents are encouraged to contact the guidance service in their school for reassurance and to address any concerns they may have.

Ní neart go cur le chéile – and wishing the class of 2017 well.