Reconsidering your options on Results Day

Year 13 Results day can mean that some students need to change the study direction they were planning on. Here are a few things you might like to consider if that is the situation you find yourself in. Remember that if your results have been disappointing and you cannot access the course you were hoping for, there are still many options and choices available to you:  

Resits:  

• You may decide that you want to resit your exams to try to obtain a higher grade, you can discuss this option with your school or college teachers.  

Continuing to Higher Education: 

• You can apply through clearing for the same or a similar course with the grades you have: https://www.ucas.com/clearing-launch  
• You could defer the date you start your course– some courses may be full for this year, but they may offer a place on the same course for next year 

Taking a gap year:  

• As mentioned above, you may be offered a place on a specific course starting the following academic year  
• You may decide to reapply to UCAS next year. It is important to talk to your teachers and universities if you are considering this option as they will discuss how your current grades could affect this decision 

• Taking the opportunity to find work experience can help to confirm that your chosen path is right for you, alternatively it can help you decide whether to pursue a different route  

Considering other options: 

• Work experience can be a good opportunity to explore areas of employment you have little or no knowledge about and you can use that to make decisions about your future study and career pathway 
• Vocational Qualifications relate to specific career choices and often have more flexible entrance requirements  
• Apprenticeships can be ideal for people who want to combine practical experience with study; up to degree level and beyond:  https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/career-starter-apprenticeships  

• The National Careers Service has guidance about Post-18 options as well as a ‘skills assessment’ questionnaire to help you identify your strengths and the careers that match these: Skills assessment | National Careers Service  

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/careers-advice/career-choices- at-18  

• This organisation offers career coaching and mentoring for people who are neurodivergent: https://exceptionalindividuals.com/ 

Conclusion:  

There is evidence that illustrates that the average number of jobs a person is likely to have during their working life is between 8 and 10. Realistically, the job you have when you are 22 is unlikely to be the same as the job you have when you approach retirement and may not even be in the same field or industry. Whilst the decisions you make when you are 18 or 19 are important and should be thought about carefully, there are and will always be opportunities in the future to change direction and possibly return to study, retrain or move to another field.