Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire TD and former teacher, Mary Mitchell O’ Connor, today (Wednesday) called on Leaving Certificate students getting results today to remember that they have plenty of options.

“Today is an exciting day and hopefully a very good day for most students. There are however many people who will be disappointed with their results. It is important to remember that you have options and it’s not the end of the world if you didn’t get the points you hoped for.

“The results you get today will not determine the rest of your life; it is what you do with these points and which direction you choose to take that will make the difference. No matter how you feel today, you have choices.

“Students should also remember that it is often a good idea to get their results checked if they are not happy and they felt, on the day, that they did better. There is an option to view your paper with your teacher and then together, with advice, you can choose if it is worth paying to have the result rechecked.

“Today is an important day because it marks the beginning of the next chapter for thousands of students. Well done to everyone who achieved the results they hoped for but for those who are disappointed today, remember that there are PLC courses which you can still apply for. Stay calm and consider all of your options.”

“The Exam 2014 helpline is 1800 265 165 or you can log onto the Irish Times helpdesk at irishtimes.com/results.”