YOUR GUIDE TO GCSE RESULTS DAY
You’ve put in the work, had a break from them, and now here they are: the Dreaded GCSE Results. Well, don’t worry, we got in touch with our grads via Instagram to get their take on Results Day, the positives and negatives and what it really means for your future.
YOUR RESULTS, YOUR RULES
How you open your results is COMPLETELY up to you, no one else. Decide whether you want to open them with your family, friends or by yourself, and really, REALLY don’t feel forced to share them if you don’t want to. But, if you do, Paige has some stellar advice: “Don’t compare yourself to others. This is your life and your journey, not theirs”.
It’s also worth remembering that it’s a big day for everyone in your year, regardless of how they might be coming across about it. “Just remember, everyone’s in the same boat,” says Amy M. “Even if they don’t look stressed, they are.” With that in mind: go easy on everyone. Some people will be really happy, some not so much.
YOU OPEN THAT ENVELOPE AND FEEL...
Happy? Disappointed? Too stunned to think? It’s a big moment, don’t feel pressured to feel anything too quickly. These numbers on the sheet of paper in front of you are the culmination of so much hard graft, hope and study. It’ll probably take a little while for it all to sink in. And, when it does, Amy K has some advice: “Be proud no matter what, because exams are hard and you did it!”
And, if you didn’t get the grades you wanted, it’s important to remember that it’ll all be alright. “GCSEs feel important at the time, but in a couple years no one will ask about them,” says Jacob.;
Or, in other words: “Keep going… Failures are the stepping stones to success.” says Mallika. Choose whichever view helps you the most.
CELEBRATE YOUR HARD WORK
The work is done now and, regardless of the outcome, you did it! You’ve revised and made mind maps and stayed up all night and your GCSEs are over! You’ll never have the day again, and it’s worth celebrating everything you put into it.
Make sure to take some time to digest what’s happened. or, as Megan says, “Take time before and after results day to practise some self care, regardless of the results”.
We totally agree with this advice from Dan: “Plan something nice to do, whether you get the results you want or not, either way you deserve it!” Too right!
WHAT’S NEXT?
There’s multiple advice sites out there, but sometimes the best people to speak to are your teachers. They’ve been with you along this journey and have a lot of experience helping students go on to the next level – whatever that may be.
The important thing to remember, whether you got the grades you wanted or not, is that you have options, more than you realise – they might just look a little different than you expected.
Take a breath and think: right, what’s next. Or, as Daniel wisely comments, “These results don’t define your future, you do”. It’s in your hands.
If you want to talk to someone about how you’re feeling, you can speak to any of the organisations below:
Young Minds: If you need urgent help text YM to 85258
Childline: 0800 1111
The Mix: 0808 808 4994