by Nyree Myers | Aug 6, 2024 | Parent Guides
Navigating stress as A-level results day approaches can be daunting. However, there are numerous effective techniques to help you control your anxiety and keep a positive mental outlook!
Below, you’ll find several useful tips and links to help you deal with the nervous time ahead :
1. Stay Busy with Activities
- Engage in Hobbies: Spend time doing activities you enjoy, whether it’s reading, painting, sports, or playing a musical instrument.
- Exercise: Physical activity can significantly reduce stress. Try to incorporate regular exercise into your routine, such as walking, jogging, yoga, or team sports.
2. Practice Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques
- Meditation: Practice mindfulness meditation to help calm your mind and reduce anxiety.
- Breathing Exercises: Deep breathing exercises can help relax your nervous system.
- Progressive Muscle Relaxation: This technique involves tensing and then slowly relaxing each muscle group in the body.
3. Stay Connected with Friends and Family
- Talk About Your Feelings: Sharing your concerns with trusted friends or family members can provide emotional support and help you feel less isolated.
- Social Activities: Spend time with loved ones and engage in fun activities to keep your mind off the results.
4. Maintain a Healthy Routine
- Sleep Well: Ensure you get enough sleep each night. A well-rested mind is better equipped to handle stress.
- Eat Healthily: A balanced diet can positively impact your mood and energy levels. Avoid excessive caffeine and sugar.
5. Set Realistic Expectations
- Accept Uncertainty: Understand that worrying about the outcome won’t change it. Try to accept that the results are out of your control at this point.
- Plan for Different Scenarios: Think about your options for various outcomes. This can help you feel more prepared and less anxious about the future.
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6. Limit Social Media and News Consumption
- Avoid Comparison: Social media can increase stress by prompting comparisons with others. Limit your time on these platforms.
- Stay Informed Wisely: While it’s important to stay informed, constantly checking for updates or news about results can heighten anxiety.
7. Engage in Positive Self-Talk
- Affirmations: Use positive affirmations to boost your confidence and reduce negative thoughts.
- Focus on Strengths: Remind yourself of your strengths and past achievements.
8. Seek Professional Help if Needed
- Counselling: If your stress becomes overwhelming, consider speaking to a counselor or therapist who can provide professional support and strategies.
9. Plan Fun Activities for Results Day
- Celebrate Regardless: Plan to do something enjoyable on results day, regardless of the outcome. Having something to look forward to can reduce the stress leading up to the day.
10. Stay Organised
- Prepare for Next Steps: Have all necessary documents and information ready for results day, so you’re prepared to take the next steps, whatever they may be.
Summary
Managing stress in the run-up to A-level results day involves maintaining a balanced lifestyle, staying connected with loved ones, practicing mindfulness, and preparing for various outcomes. By focusing on these strategies, you can reduce anxiety and face results day with greater confidence and calmness.
Good luck to all of our Year 12 & 13 students and to everyone collecting results soon!
Nyree & The Academic Coach Team star
Useful Links:
by David Quinney | Aug 16, 2023 | Uncategorised
Clearing is available to students who do not meet the conditions of their offer on A-level results day, as well as those who did not receive any offers. If students have changed their minds about what or where they wish to study can also use clearing. Here’s everything you need to know about how clearing works and what will happen if you don’t get the A-level grades you wanted.
When do A-level results come out? A-level results day for this year will be on Thursday 17 August.
When can I pick up my results? Results can be picked up from schools and further education colleges any time after 8am on results day.
However, you’ll need to find out the exact times from your school as these may vary. If you don’t get the grades you were hoping for there are plenty of options available for you. The first thing students are advised to do is to speak to a teacher or adviser who will be able to assist with exploring options and next steps.
Here are a few other options according to UCAS:
- Speak to the university or college as they may be flexible especially if you narrowly missed your offer.
- Appeal your grade. According to UCAS you should discuss this with your school or college but it should not stop you from researching opportunities in Clearing.
- Apply through clearing.
- Explore apprenticeships. You can find out more on the UCAS apprenticeship hub.
- Consider other options such as a gap year or going straight into the working world.
If you’re still feeling stuck there is support available for students with guidance available via telephone, social media, and through the UCAS Hub – including information on how to prepare for results day, how Clearing works, the options available, and much more.
How does clearing work? According to UCAS, clearing matches applicants to university spots that have not been filled yet and is available to anyone who has applied via the UCAS Undergraduate application and does not yet have any offers.
Clearing runs from 8 July to 18 October and you are eligible if:
- If you are applying after 30 June
- If you did not receive any offers or none you wanted to accept
- If you did not meet the conditions of your offer
- If you’ve paid the multiple-choice application fee of £26.50
- If you have declined your firm place using the ‘decline my place’ option on the application
Courses in Clearing aren’t just the ones nobody wants – there are many reasons why courses are still available. It’s an opportunity for those who have missed their conditions or had a last-minute change of heart about the university or course they want to study.
How do I use clearing?
- The best place to start would be to check if there are any vacancies available on the UCAS website. In the search tab, you can enter the course of your choice, study level and entry year. After you have found the course you want to apply to, you should give the university of your choice a call to see if you meet its entry requirement and if there are still spots available.
- UCAS state that if the university gives you an offer and you wish to accept it, you can add the clearing choice to your application. This can be done by clicking ‘Add Clearing Choice’ and filling in the course details by the date the university gave you on the phone.
- Applicants can only add one choice at a time, but if the university/college doesn’t confirm your place, you’ll be able to add another.
- Students that only applied for one choice in their original application will need to pay an additional £4.50 to go through Clearing.
How should I contact universities? Students should take the following steps when contacting universities for clearing:
- Prepare what you can in advance: You should have a shortlist and alternatives when browsing university-clearing sites. If you have a shortlist of alternative universities to contact, it may help you save time on the day.
- Check entry requirements: This can be found on the university’s website.
- Make sure you have important information at hand: You will need your UCAS ID number as it will be the first thing you might be asked for when contacting universities. You should also say the course or subject area you are interested in (if you have the course code, that’s even better) and the grades you have achieved. If you’re an international student, you may also need your English language qualification.
- You will also need to provide your name, date of birth and potentially your email address and phone number.
- Take notes: It’s important to write down any important information given to you.
- If given an offer, the applicant will receive an email that will explain when the offer should be accepted. It is important not to rush a decision. Take your time looking at the pros and cons of each course and university.
