globalbridge tips on how to cope on exam results day
Having been there and done that, when collecting exam results, we at globalbridge completely appreciate and understand all the emotions that come with it! We have put together some strategies below for you to look at on the ‘big day’.
Don’t bottle your feelings up
If you are nervous or anxious, talk about it. Tell your family or friends, or write it down in a diary. Don’t be embarrassed about your feelings – you might think nobody else is feeling this way but chances are they are.
Sometimes when you’re anxious you can feel shaky, light-headed and nauseous. Some people have panic attacks; The main thing to remember is that it’s just anxiety – it can’t harm you, and it will pass.
Make a plan
Be organised! Know what time you’ve got to go and pick up your results and where you need to go.
Have a plan B - Think about what you might need to do if you don’t get the grades you were hoping for so you’re not panicking on the day.
If your university place or job offer is dependent on you getting certain results, have their number handy so that you can call them on the day to see if they’re still willing to offer you the place. Also read up on the UCAS Clearing system in advance.
Plan something nice to do with friends or family later in the day so that you have it to look forward to regardless of what happens.
Get plenty of rest
Sleep may be the last thing on your mind the evening before results day but a good night's sleep will put you in a good frame of mind to face what lies ahead.
Get up nice and early the morning before rather than having a mammoth lie in and do some exercise at some point during the day so that you’re nice and tired when you go to bed.
Avoid too much caffeine, and have a nice, relaxing bath in the evening.
Resist the urge to go over and over your exams in your head because it won’t help and there’s really nothing you can do about it now.
It might be an idea to stay off social media if exams are all everyone seems to be talking about because it’ll only make you feel worse. Try reading one of your favourite books, or listen to some music, this should help you unwind.
Don’t go alone
You may not think you want to take your mum along with you to school, but you’ll probably really appreciate having a family member with you when you get there and the nerves set in.
Firstly, if you need to go by car they can drive you there and bring you home again, saves you having to drive and deal with all your emotions.
Secondly, if things don’t go according to plan, two heads are better than one when it comes to gathering as much information as possible about your next steps, assessing the options and coming up with a plan of action.
Finally, if they haven’t really been needed for either of the above, they still might take you for a well-deserved lunch!
If you didn’t get the exam results you were hoping for
Do not panic. You have plenty of options if you didn’t get the exam grades you wanted.
Take a deep breath and start talking. Speak to your teachers, careers adviser, or anyone you can find, to help you discuss what you should do next.
Be familiar with the UCAS Clearing system, and the possibility of exam resits should you need to. You could also consider taking a gap year while you think about what you want to do next or, if you’re keen to keep going with your studies, why not think about an apprenticeship?
Find out as much as you can before making a decision and remember, this is not the end of the world. There are many extremely successful people out there who didn’t get the grades they were hoping for either. There are lots of paths to success, so use your disappointment as motivation to find yours.
If you got the exam results you wanted
Fantastic, well done to you and make sure you celebrate your tremendous achievement.
But be aware that others around you may not have had such happy news – so tone down the gloating, shrieking and general madness until you know that there’s no one nearby who’s upset by their results.
From everyone here at globalbridge, we wish you all the very best with whatever your next steps involve, and remember your gb profile is a lifetime toolkit, so keep it updated, ready to showcase your talents and skills to your prospective employers or HE - you never know when you may need it!