With A Level results tomorrow and GCSEs next week it’s a bit of a tense time. The summer is nearly over and everyone is gearing up for their next step; whether that’s college, university, an apprenticeship or a job. We asked our Youth Ambassadors how they felt leading up to their own results days, or how they are feeling as they wait for their results this month! Here’s what they said:*
- Over half the ambassadors said they were nervous before their results days
- A third said they were excited
- 1/5th knew what they were doing next
- 1/5th didn’t know what they wanted to do
Here’s what some of them had to say:
“I was fortunate enough to be out of the country when my results came through. Instead of receiving my results at school alongside my equally-nervous friends, I had no internet access in rural Nicaragua and received my results through a phone call. Despite not receiving the grades I had hoped for, my first-choice university still accepted me. This is quite common for universities to do.
I remember the build-up and feeling like this would define me. It’s easy for me looking back now post-graduation and saying it isn’t that important. I ask you to look back at receiving your GCSE results, they meant everything at the time didn’t they? Now you can see that they weren’t the be-all and end-all. That’s what it’s like looking back at A-Levels.
Whatever happens, you are not defined by these results from one time in your life. They may mean that you don’t go to the university of your choice – clearing is there for a reason – or no university at all. That’s okay. You have a fantastic future ahead of you. “
Meg who has now graduated from university.
“For me results day was a rough time as I wasn’t sure what I’d be doing after; my Mum was ill and in hospital. I was worried that I wouldn’t do well enough to get into uni as I’d had to miss some lessons and stuff whilst looking after her too. I was excited though as it was going to be the result of all the work I’d done, and the beginning of the next chapter in my life whatever happened. I ended up not getting the results I needed to go to my first choice uni, and I decided that I didn’t want to go to my second choice, so I had to get ‘released’ so I could go through clearing. After this happened I applied to go to a totally different uni and do a totally different course! It was one of the best things that could have happened for me in the end I think, but back then I was pretty stressed and anxious.”
Jenny who’s also finished university.
“I feel excited about university. When I was doing my A levels, I was very much focused on the academic side of university and felt a great deal of pressure to get the grades to get into Durham. However, since I’ve finished my exams, I’ve decided that the social side is more important -especially student activism- so I’m going to go Sheffield instead, and I don’t feel at all worried anymore.”
Hugo, who is about to get his A Level results.
“Use failure as a springboard for future success. Listening to people say ‘it wasn’t meant to be’ is probably the last thing you want to hear, but it’s difficult to find encouragement in times like this. Whilst my advice is limited in that so far I’ve only done GCSE’s, I know something that applies to everyone; don’t worry about what you can’t control. You’ve done all the hard work prior to results day, but stressing about it won’t change your grades.”
Jake, who got his GCSE results last year.
*figures are approximate via an informal Facebook poll.
