Our Guide to UK Results Day 2015

No matter how tempted you might be to find the nearest sandpit and bury your head deep, deep inside it, results day is well and truly nigh…and there will be no escaping!

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This year, the date that has A Level students all across the country quaking in their boots is Thursday 13th August…

That’s right, all those late-night, caffeine-infused study sessions

I’m had so much coffee my brain hurts.

— AaronRyanRamos. (@Gemini_The_Poet) June 2, 2013

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All those torturous, sleepless nights

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All of those personal pep-talks that got you through revision

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All that ‘using your initiative’ to pass exams

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All of those post-exam ‘sessions’

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They were all leading to this

very

DAY

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It’s the 13th August 2015 and you’ve had a restless night’s sleep

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You rise with a start at some un-Godly hour

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And try hard to control those shaking nerves

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And desperately try to force something down

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You tell yourself that your results don’t define you and at least you tried your best

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But every time you see that victorious results day jump in the headlines

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You always forget to breathe

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Well, to all the little college nuggets who are struggling to cope with the stress of results day, here are our Top Ten Tips to get you through:

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1. Be sure to plan ahead!

Make sure you have thoroughly considered your options- including the worst ones, because although it’s not the end of the world, it could happen, and it’s best for you to be prepared for this if it does.

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DON’T PANIC! You don’t know what’s going to happen, and you might pass with flying colours! Just be sure to discuss every possibility with someone that you trust, that way you’ll be ready for anything, and it will be a lot less stressful when you’re planning your next move.

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2. Familiarise yourself with the clearing process

This doesn’t mean you need to learn it all by heart- after all, it’s likely you won’t even need it! Just take a quick look at the Guide to Clearing at your chosen University so you know the steps to take if you haven’t made the grade.

‘Results day can be stressful, so make sure you know how it works and what to expect.’ http://t.co/yNksOqbkdu #UCASClearing

— UCAS Clearing (@ucasclearing) August 11, 2015

3. Focus on yourself

Now’s the time to think about Number 1! Don’t compare yourself to others- what’s done is done and you can’t change it now. You tried your best and that really is all that matters. Don’t get sucked into other people’s drama- there will definitely be a lot of it around. It’s not going to achieve anything except make people think that maybe you didn’t have enough brain cells to pass…

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If things don’t go your way, of course you’re going to be upset! Just leave your inner Diva at home and deal with it like an adult who can take it when things go wrong.

4. Take a trip to your local career service

Say you don’t get into university- what are you going to do then? It’s probably something you really don’t want to think about but again, it’s better to be prepared. Deciding the path you want to take in life could be the biggest decision you’ll ever make, but you don’t have to make it alone. There are a wealth of career services available with trained professionals who can help you decide on the next step. You may have taken a step back from your academic career, but it’s time to step into your future.

Wondering what to do with your #ALevel results? Join our live Facebook Q&A with @NationalCareers adviser on Thursday, 11am to noon

— National Careers (@NationalCareers) August 11, 2015

5. Make sure your phone is fully charged

You need to be able to tell the world just how great you’ve done!

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6. Take your time

Whether you got the results you needed or not, you still really need to think about what you want to do. These days, University is far too expensive to just go for the sake of it.

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7. Embrace the turning point!

For so many students, results day really is a turning point. Some decide they actually do want to further their studies, while others conclude that University really isn’t for them. Everyone is different so just do what feels right for you.

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8. Get yourself together

If you’re finding the stress too much and are struggling not to panic, that’s fine! Just find yourself a quiet room to sit and take some deep breaths to clear your head. It might seem like the end of the world- but really, it isn’t! Some of the greatest minds in the world have absolutely no qualifications- you don’t need to pass exams in order to be successful. You have the power to be whoever you want to be and do whatever you want to do, and it really doesn’t matter whether or not you’ve been to university.

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9. Appreciate your achievement!

You rock! Seriously- you just sat a million exams and handed in your body weight in course work. Since doing your A Levels you have grown, developed and matured as a person, and whether you go to uni or not, you will continue to flourish. Be proud and hold your head high! Whether you aced it or not, that is an amazing achievement and you definitely deserve a beer…or 20…

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10. Don’t forget the Champagne!

Go on- what better cause is there to celebrate?! Drink up and remember- it’s best served cold!

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