It’s that time of year again! No, not Christmas, A-Level results day! And as usual, a day full of mixed emotion. For so many, these results can determine their future, be the deciding factor in whether they get into university, or shape where they go next.
But do not panic. Help is out there, from guides to results day advice on what to do if you don’t get the grades and of course, lots of advice on other options.
And yes of course, getting good A Level grades is important and it will be disappointing if you miss out on getting what you hoped for, but it is not the be all and end all of your life if you don’t quite get what you want. You may just have to rethink your plans, and who knows, this could be a blessing in disguise! For example, you may not make the grades you need to get into university to study medicine, so why not use the next year to re-sits and do some overseas volunteering to get some work experience that could seriously boost your personal statement/CV and help support your university application.
Taking a year out, if you need to defer your entry to university to get the required grades or if you need a break before you decide what to do next, could definitely be the way forward for you. Even just to get some experience that could help boost your current grades, volunteering overseas, for example, shows universities and employers that even though you might not have been academically successful the first time around, you are willing to work hard and gain extra skills that will subsequently probably make you a more focussed person when you do come to go to university, or into work.
Use your time wisely. If you realise that, whatever your results may be, a year out is now on the cards for you, make sure you chose something worthwhile to do, that you will get something out of. Volunteering overseas is a fantastic way to help you gain lifelong transferable skills, give you invaluable life experience and will show you what’s out there. It may even change your mind about what you want to do next, as you will have time to think and consider your options, coming back fresh and ready to go into further education or will a good leg to stand on when going into employment.
Think positive – life is out there!