A hug for a waiting parent or jumping for joy with elated friends - for many pupils there were scenes of jubilation on A-levels results day.
The tense wait was over at 8am on Thursday as anxious students visited their schools or logged in online to receive their A-level and AS grades.
While for some there was disappointment, for most there were broad smiles as they opened their A-level results.
At St Dominic's Grammar School in west Belfast, students arrived from early morning, eager to find out their long-awaited results.
Among them was Gabrielle Monaghan, who achieved two A* and an A in her three subjects, PE, Irish and Health and Social Care.
Her success comes just months after her beloved father Kieran died following a battle with cancer.
Mr Monaghan, a father-of-two who dedicated much of his life to his career in social work, passed away in May after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in August 2022.
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Gabrielle spent much of her time studying at her father's bedside as he battled his illness.
"I'm just delighted with my results, I'm all bizz," she said.
"I'm wanting to do teaching at St Mary's, teaching PE through the medium of Irish.
"I feel like it's my birthday again, getting lots of cards and everything.
"It was difficult studying with everything going on, but I knew I had to do it, my daddy would be all bizz."
With her mum looking on, Julia Szkopinska opened the envelope to reveal she had achieved an AAA*.
Smiling broadly, Julia, who moved to Northern Ireland from Poland 15 years ago, said she was "very happy" adding that it was a "massive relief".
"I got my two As in Chemistry and Spanish and an A* in maths, " she said.
"I am delighted and very happy.
"I'm going to be going to Queen's to do medicinal chemistry, so I am delighted, it's a massive relief."
At Lagan College in south Belfast, there was happiness among pupils and teachers as they celebrated what the school described as "our best ever outcomes".
Principal Amanda McNamee welcomed students into the school to receive their grades, including head girl and boy Mirran Morrison and head boy Chris Cassells.
The school said its class of 2023 had seen 84 per cent of its young people gain three or more A* -C A-level grades, which was "an even greater increase than last year".
