There is a fortnight to go before the Leaving Cert exams get under way on Wednesday 5 June.
Many students will be planning the next two weeks of study carefully.
But while Alannah McGrath prepares for a final push ahead of her exams, she must also make time to care for her family.
18-year-old Alannah is a pupil at Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh in Limerick.
She has been studying for her Leaving Certificate while also helping to care for her father, Ciarán, who has a long-term illness.
"My dad has had a series of strokes or brain haemorrhages, technically, which has left him with a long list of lasting effects.
"Overwhelmed, stress and worried are day-to-day feelings and emotions along with the Leaving Cert," she said.
According to a 2024 ESRI report, young carers in Ireland tend to receive lower Leaving Certificate grades than their peers.
But Alannah is taking all higher-level subjects and hopes to study nutrition at university.
"I won't be aiming for the highest grade in the class because I know I don't have the time to get the highest grades in every single class. And I have come to terms with that," she said.
Watch our video to hear more about how Alannah balances her studies and her caring responsibilities. We will hear more stories from students in the Leaving Cert Class of 2024 over the course of the week.
