Results day can be full of emotion and also mark a key milestone as you make important decisions in regards to your future.
This applies to both those confident of doing well and also those who are worrying they may not get the results that they want.
However, with a little preparation you can ease some of the pressure on yourself.
So whatever your next steps – here’s our exam results survival guide.
With a little bit of planning you can be ready to make the most of your results whatever they are.
Top tips:
- In the days before, try to relax and keep yourself busy
- Do some research and list other courses that you might like to think about if your first choice isn’t an option.
- Make sure you have all your application info and any useful contact details to hand.
- Ensure your mobile phone is charged – so you can tell everyone your good news or speak to people who could help turn disappointment into a positive move.
- If you are disappointed with your results – be quick off the mark and get on the phone to follow up on your back up plan. Make sure you have a pad and pen handy to record names and numbers of people you should speak to if this is the case.
- Wake up early, get everything ready, have a good breakfast and face the day with confidence no matter what
Right, it’s time, you’ve received the text or opened the envelope what now?
You got the grades!
Well done if you’ve achieved all the results you wanted…
- If you had a conditional offer for a course at Forth Valley College – congratulations you’re in! There’s no further action required from you – if we need anything else we’ll be in touch.
- If you’ve applied to university, you can log onto UCAS and see the word ‘unconditional’ appearing next to your offer. Sometimes it can take a while to update, but confirmation of your place will be sent to you quickly.
- If your results are even better than expected…you might want to think about considering a course at a higher level at Forth Valley College. Visit our Qualifications Explained guide to see if there's something else that might suit you. If you find a different course that you're interested in, you can contact the individual department or a Support and Guidance Advisor to discuss this further.
- Now all that’s left to do is celebrate!
Time for Plan B…
There are many ways to achieve success and we are here to advise you on your options.
- Didn’t get the grades for your Forth Valley College course? Contact us on 01324 403000 to discuss your options. It might also be worth having a nosey on our website here to have a look at other courses starting this August with places still available.
- Ok you perhaps didn’t get the grades for your first choice at university, but your back-up choice has accepted you and a letter confirming this will be on its way.
- Also it is worth checking on UCAS Track that you still haven’t been accepted on your first or second choices – sometimes this can happen regardless of your grades.
- Alternatively you may have been offered another course at university termed ‘Unconditional Changed Course (UCC). Obviously it is up to you whether you take up on this offer.
- It is possible to pay to get your papers marked again… but grades can also go down as well as up and time is of the essence as colleges and universities look to fill places.
- If you are adamant you want to do a certain course at that university, then you could re-sit the exams or do another course and try again the following year.
- If all else fails why not look at the UCAS clearing process! Click here to find out more.
- It might also be worth checking out the degrees on offer at Forth Valley College in partnership with Stirling University, Strathclyde University and Heriot-Watt University. You can apply to these through the College directly or also through the UCAS clearing process.
If you haven't received your results, please contact us to check we have the correct contact details for you.
Any queries in regards to exam results – please call 01324 403000.
Good luck!
Other sources of information:
0800 917 8000
0345 279 1000