Wednesday 17-08-2022 - 00:00

Tomorrow is A-Level results day for many, so here at the SU we have come up with 3 ways of keeping calm and getting yourself through this potentially stressful time! 

Exams are important. They are the stepping stone to get you to where you want to be going forward in education and your professional life. Having said that, it can also be a time in your life that creates feelings of stress and anxiety. 

Your grade doesn’t define you

When you go and collect the envelope with those results in, the first thing to remember is that the grade you receive does not define you as a person. Don’t be disheartened if you don’t get the results you had hoped for. Grades do not equal failure or success… all it means is that you may just have to take a different route than someone else to get to where you want to be, and that’s ok! 

Don’t compare yourself to others

That brings us onto the next most important thing when it comes to collecting those results… Comparison. Comparison is the most significant cause of depression amongst teenagers, and it is the thief of joy in life! Everyone is different and has different abilities and your friends will be going down different paths at different times in life. Only you can reach for your own goals, so it is important for you, no matter what the outcome of your results and your peers, to do your research and find out what your options are, and what are the next best steps to take for YOU with the results that YOU have.  

Take care of yourself

Lastly, the day before results day, remember to take care of yourself. Take your mind off things with a good film, podcast or book, or get outside with friends or family. Make your favourite meal that evening and try to get a decent night's sleep. When collecting the results remember you did everything you could during your exams and once you have them, remember to celebrate no matter what grades you got because sitting your A-levels is an achievement in itself and one you should be proud of!  

A few words from our SU President, Vice President and C.E.O of the SU on their experiences of exam results day! 

Lauren Hole – President of the Students’ Union -  

‘For me, personally, my A-Level results day wasn’t everything I hoped and dreamed. While I did ok and my firm university choice at the time offered me my place, that option didn’t result in being the best choice for me. There were so many that didn’t get offered their firm choices and in the end those people still ended up exactly where they needed to be. It’s important not to get too hung up on that, as at the time it may seem as though things aren’t going to plan. In the end, though, the best option for you isn’t always staring you in the face, and the cliché does ring true that when one door closes, another one opens. You’ll have people around you who have done better than expected, and if this hasn’t been the case for you then it can add to your feelings of disappointment. It’s really important to focus on yourself in this scenario and try to rationalise your thoughts in the chaos of it all.’ 

Kate Little - C.E.O of the Students’ Union - 

‘I remember being super nervous on my A-Level results day, and it was the best feeling to get into my first place University. But if you miss a grade, don’t panic – loads of unis recruit students on to great courses through Clearing, or you could do a foundation year. There are loads of ways to get into higher education if you want to, whatever your grades, and always remember you are more than the grades on a piece of paper – don’t let them define you!’ 

Amy Rowley – Vice President of the Students’ Union – 

'My A-Level results day was nothing like I had ever expected. I always thought of myself as the type of girl to get straight A's and get straight into University. However, mid way through my A-levels I actually changed my mind on my future career, meaning the A-Levels I had originally picked weren't going to match what I wanted to do. So I went away and I got as much work experience as possible over those few months before clearing opened so that the minute those phone lines opened I rung around every University in alphabetical order to try and see who would take me to study Paramedic Science, despite having only English, History and Drama A-Levels. On that day, I got all the way through to the Universities beginning with W. I was beginning to worry that no one would take me and all this work experience would have been for nothing and I wouldn't be able to go to a University to study what I wanted to, despite getting good grades (admittedly in irrelevant courses). Finally, the University of Worcester agreed to take me on for a foundation year! It was the best news ever! I accepted and went looking for accommodation the very next week! It all happened so quickly! But, after a year of studying, I actually realised it was not all it was cracked up to be and I wasn't ready to become a paramedic, so I re-evaluated and decided to leave after my foundation year and return home to North Wales. Now, originally when I studied my A-Levels, I did apply to Wrexham Glyndwr University for Childhood and Education studies as my A-Levels were relevant, and there just happened to be a day when I was at home, and I checked my junk inbox... and there was an acceptance email from Glyndwr! I spoke to my Mum and said do you think I would make a good teacher? She said she always imagined me doing that and didn't understand why I moved away from home so quickly to study something I literally only decided on 6 months ago. So I instantly rang up Glyndwr to ask if they would still accept me for the coming year, and especially now as I had got extra marks by studying for a foundation degree! I came the next week for an open day tour and met with the lecturers, who then offered me a place on the Primary Education course with QTS. As soon as I entered Glyndwr University I knew this was much more suited to me and was kicking myself why I didn't come here in the first place! However, everything happens for a reason, and although my A-Level results day started off with me waking up not only worried what my results would be, but wondering whether I would get into any University as I had changed my mind on future career!? But now looking back on this experience, knowing that doing that actually resulted in me learning a lot about myself and ending up exactly where I wanted to be with a degree!

Just know that even if you don't get what you had hoped for, there is always another path in life, whether this be a different University to what you expected, studying from home, or even going through a degree apprenticeship, you will get to where you want to be in life!

Also remember, you're not alone, so many other students out there are feeling just as worried about their future as you might be, but you will no doubt have a great support network around you! Also remember to celebrate your hard work, no matter your results because you tried your absolute hardest and that's all anyone can ever ask of you!'

 

Written by Sarah O'Brien, Social Media Assistant

 

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