Results day: How to stay positive and move forward

We use the phrase ‘focus on what you can control’ a lot here at Good Thinking – because it’s really helpful! 

In your current situation, it means try not to worry about what grades you’re going to get (you’ve done your best and it's now in the hands of the exam board). Instead, put your energy into all the positive things you can do this summer, such as:

• Seeing friends and family
• Exercising regularly
• Spending time in nature
• Getting some work experience
• Supporting a cause you believe in
• Taking up a new hobby
• Catching up on sleep

If you’re waiting to find out if you’ve got into uni, it’s a good idea to create a list of back-up options that you could explore through Clearing if you need to. You might also like to revisit your personal statement and prepare for possible phone interviews on results day. Clearing is a great option if your grades are not what you expected – in 2024, more than 68,000 students secured their university places this way.

Another way to focus on what you can control is to know exactly what happens on results day and immediately afterwards. Here are a few things to do in advance so that it doesn’t seem so daunting:

• Confirm what time your school or college will open on results day
• Decide if you want to collect your results on your own or with a friend or relative
• Find out which teachers will be there to provide advice and support
• Make sure your phone is fully charged and topped up
• Put any important phone numbers in your phone (e.g. your firm and insurance universities, your chosen college or sixth form and any potential employers)
• Pack a pen and paper so you can take notes if you need to make calls to colleges, universities and/or employers on the day
• Plan your journey and allow extra time for any transport delays
• Work out where there’ll be a quiet place to sit if you need some space after getting your results

If you’ve applied to university, make sure your UCAS details are up-to-date and have your UCAS number and log-in and your Clearing number to hand (and remember, the UCAS hub will be very busy on results day, so you’ll need to be patient).

Don’t bottle up your emotions or put on a brave face. Talk to your family about any concerns you might have and discuss how they can support you now and after you get your exam results. You might like to ask them:

• Are/were you worried about getting your exam results?
• What impact did your grades have on your life and career?
• Will you help me come up with plan B (e.g. research other apprenticeship/job/ study options)?
• How will you feel if my grades aren’t what I/you hoped for?
• Will you come with me to collect my results (or be available on the phone that day)?

Open up to your friends too and be there for them in return. They’re probably feeling just as overwhelmed and worried as you are so it’s important that you support each other over the next few weeks. Use Good Thinking's guide to looking out for your friends which contains tips on checking in and letting them know that you are there for them.

Whether you’re delighted or disappointed on results day, you should be really proud of everything you’ve achieved. After all the stress of studying, this is the time to celebrate with your friends and family.

Even if you don’t get the grades you want, it could lead to exciting new opportunities – whether that’s doing A Levels, a VTQ or NVQ, finding an apprenticeship or a job, doing a different university course or taking a gap year. Remember, your grades do not define you or your future!

Don’t feel pressured into sharing your exam results publicly if you don’t want to and try not to compare yourself to your friends or other people you follow on social media. Everyone has different strengths and weaknesses.

Of course, if you get your results and you don’t believe the correct process has been followed, you have the right to appeal or, if you don’t feel that your grade reflects your ability, you can choose to resit the exam. Talk to your teachers about the options available to you.

You can find a range of free wellbeing resources on Good Thinking, including

• Clear Fear (app)
• Feeling Good Teens (app)
• Five ways to wellbeing (posters)
• How to deal with stress (guide)
• Looking out for your friends (guide)
• Move Mood (app)
• Results day: How to deal with anxiety, stress and imposter syndrome (blog)

Lots of other organisations offer advice and support to students ahead of results day. We recommend the following websites:

• Childline
• National Careers Service
• stem4
• The Mix
• The Student Room
• The Uni Guide
• UCAS
• YoungMinds

If you feel extremely distressed about your exam results, speak to your GP or call the 24/7 NHS mental health helpline in your borough. If you’re in immediate danger and it’s a medical emergency, call 999 straight away. Please don’t suffer alone – find out more here.