Time for Results!

August 13, 2015

• A Levels
• / GCSE

Results Day is upon us – the day when students return from the sunny Continent to face the dreaded reckoning of Results Day. Well, perhaps it’s not as dramatic as that, but it’s certainly an important and nerve-wracking experience for almost everybody involved, and for A-level students especially it can sometimes seem like a single day that will determine the rest of your life. It’s vital to remember, though, that this day is supposed to be a celebration of your achievements, no matter what they are; it’s also not the end of the world if things haven’t gone the way you expected them to.

Nevertheless, it’s a good idea to come prepared, so make sure you bring the following:

–        Mobile phone to call your grandparents/distant relatives/other universities

–        Calculator to add up module marks, etc.

–        Pen and pad in case you need to jot anything important down

And, if you’re collecting A-level results, also don’t leave home without:

–        Your AS results

–        Contact details for your firm and insurance choices, if applying for university

–        UCAS letter

–        A copy of your personal statement, a reference (if you have one) and details of your referee (if you have one), in case you need to look at other options on the day

When you arrive at your school on the day, try not to freak out at the knowledge that the outcome of two years of work is stored in an envelope somewhere inside the building. It’ll come round to you eventually. If you really don’t want your parents to go with you, make sure you have somebody else to support you, even if that’s just your fellow students – whether you’re jumping for joy or looking at new possibilities, it’s much easier to do so with someone by your side.

When the fateful moment comes, take a moment to recognise everything you’ve done in the past two years, not just academically but outside of school as well, and this will help you place the results you’re about to open in the wider context of your life. That might sound soppy, but it’s important. Anyway, without any further ado, go on and rip that envelope open. If it’s what you wanted – great! Go ahead and start the celebrations. If it isn’t – don’t worry. Find a nearby teacher and explain the situation, then work towards getting the best outcome. If you’re getting A-level results, this probably means looking at the Adjustment and Clearing processes. Your teachers will be experienced in dealing with this, and they’ll be able to help you. Keep in mind, this doesn’t mean your life is over, just that you might be heading in a slightly different direction to what you thought! In all likelihood, it will be the same or better in the end. And if you’re really focused on going somewhere specific, you can look forward to a gap year full of adventures and money-making schemes instead, which isn’t bad at all when you think about it.

So we here at Kings Tutors would like to wish everyone the best of luck with their results today!