What to expect on Results Day
Gower College Swansea principal, Mark Jones, offers advice to students on what to expect leading up to, and on, Results Day.
Your final exam may seem like a distant memory after what I hope has been an enjoyable summer. Results Day has crept up on all of us, so it’s time to take on the next challenge of facing the results you receive on that piece of paper.
Just like thousands of young people across the country you may feel panicked and fear the uncertainty of your future, all of which is understandable.
The question is, what can you do now to help lessen the stress, and prepare yourself for one of the biggest days of your life so far?
Firstly, if you’re nervous or anxious, don’t bottle these feelings up. Instead, talk to your family or friends who are there to help you. You might think that nobody else is feeling the same way, but you’d be surprised at how many people around you have been through the exact same experience, meaning they can offer useful advice and support.
Secondly, take some time to make a plan for Results Day. You need to know what time to collect your results and where you will need to go to. Keep certain telephone numbers to hand – because if your future college, university place, or job offer is dependent on receiving certain results, you’ll need to confirm things right away. Alternatively, you might want to keep the telephone number for UCAS Clearing or your local college close by, just in case you don’t receive the results you were expecting and need additional support.
Thirdly, and I know it is easier said than done, try to get some rest. On Results Day you need to be ‘on your game’, confirming your place and congratulating - or commiserating - with your friends requires a lot of energy. A good night’s sleep the night before is the best way to prepare, try to avoid social media, because everyone will be talking about the same thing – the results.
Then comes Results Day itself. My key piece of advice is to never pick up your results alone. You might not like the idea of taking your mum, dad, or older sibling with you, but they can always wait for you outside or in the car. If things don’t go according to plan, you’ll have someone there who is focused solely on you. Someone to help gather the information you need, assess your options, and help come up with a plan of action. Two heads are always better than one and this support could be invaluable to you. Of course, in the likely situation that everything goes to plan, they can join you in celebrating your achievements.
Finally, and most importantly, if you don’t get the exam results you were hoping for, DON’T panic. There will still be plenty of options for you to consider. Find someone to talk to about your worries, ideally a teacher or careers advisor who has supported you during your studies. They will be the best equipped to help you, having provided similar advice to thousands of students before you.
This is where Gower College Swansea really comes into its own. We understand these various routes and pathways that are available to leaners, as the majority are delivered within the College. We also know university admissions teams and employer recruitment teams operate. This allows us to work with students to determine the right path for them and create a bespoke plan to help a person achieve their individual ambitions and goals, at a pace that best suits them.
Our personal tutors, dedicated Futures team, and career coaches are there to chat through your results and suggest next steps or employment possibilities that could work for you.
Once you have all this in place, and you feel comfortable with how the day is unfolding, it’s time to catch up with friends and family, share your news, and celebrate your hard work, no matter the outcome.
More information: How to get your exam / qualification results August 2023