Results day: What if I don't get the grades for uni?

Panicking about exam results day? You're not alone. Thousands of students will be going through the same experience and feeling the same feelings, but at Student Roost we're here to help. Our guide covers all you need to do on results day, even if your results weren't as expected.

Firstly, don't panic.

Results day approaching? Brace yourselves for an emotional adventure! All those late nights studying, and epic cramming sessions have finally led up to the moment you tear open that envelope filled with a handful of letters. We’re exhausted just thinking about it.

With the government announcing grades will return to pre-pandemic levels, limited places on courses, and some universities announcing they're at full capacity even before results day, we understand how you'll be feeling.

Take a breath. We've got you.

While we hope that you and your friends get the desired results and a place at your chosen universities, what happens if you don’t get the grades you hoped for?

Below are our tips on how to navigate results day and clearing.

What to do on results day?

Give the university you applied to a call

Didn't get the grades you were aiming for? Keep in mind that your chosen university could still be open to having you join them. The first thing to do is to have a chat with your first-choice university and discuss your situation. They might have some ways to help you out, such as giving you a place on a different but similar course to what you applied for, or even offering a foundation year of study.

If it doesn’t go to plan with your first-choice university, then follow the same approach with your insurance choice and discuss the available options.

And don't forget: not getting the grades you expected might mean you exceed your expectations! If so, you might want to explore different courses or unis that weren't on your radar before. That's where clearing comes in...

Go through clearing

What is clearing? Clearing is the time when UCAS allows students to apply for university spots that are still available, even after the usual application period is over.

Think of it as giving university applications another shot, but this time it's way easier because your personal statement is good to go and you already have your results. You can use this service from July to September, but of course, the super popular spots might get snatched up as more students find their places. Don't worry, though – you've got a chance to find a great fit!

University clearing might sound a bit intimidating or chaotic, and sometimes it may be seen as a backup plan. However, that’s not the case. If you find yourself using it, there's absolutely no need to be scared.

In fact, the opposite is true and in recent years, many more students are utilising clearing to get the best out of their futures. Keep reading for some interesting facts about university clearing.

Interesting facts about university clearing

• According to UCAS, clearing is now quickly becoming the go-to place where students can discover an array of study choices.*
• 22% of students are now considering entering clearing voluntarily if they achieve higher grades than expected. They are willing to turn their firm choice into plan B and explore what other options are available based on their overachievement.*
• In 2023, 82% of students are now confident that they understand clearing’s role and how it works, compared to only 65% in 2022. As more and more students get what clearing is all about, ditch any unnecessary worries, and jump into it with open arms, this could set off a chain reaction that transforms what happens after you’ve been accepted by universities.*

*Source: https://www.ucas.com/connect/blogs/3-cs-how-student-mindsets-are-changing-clearing-kicks

Consider your other options

Whether you had your heart set on university or were always a bit unsure about it, finding yourself uncertain after receiving different results than expected is completely normal.

If your results weren’t what you wanted and you’re now wondering “what’s next?”, don’t worry. This is the perfect time to reassess what you want. The saying ‘rejection is redirection’ has never been truer.

Life doesn’t stop at 18, 21 or even 25. There will be so many changes in your life as you progress; this is just the first big one, so be gentle with yourself.

If you’re not ready to get back into education just yet, you could take the remaining part of the summer to relax. Clearing doesn’t end until September so you have plenty of time to think about what you really want and defer your studies for a year. Or you could find a job and start saving, or even take a gap year to explore new horizons.

How to cope with stress, disappointing A-level results and university clearing

This period of your life can be extremely overwhelming, so it’s important that you take the time to look after yourself.

Feeling stressed? It's important not to rush into decisions when you're in panic mode – you wouldn't want to do something you'll regret later. According to the Law Society Journal Online, long-lasting stress could make you more prone to taking risky choices, which could keep that stress going. On the flip side, if you're super anxious, you might lean towards avoiding risks or struggle to make any decisions at all. Just remember, a clear head leads to better choices!

To help you reduce your worries and anxiety, we spoke to a psychologist about how stress can affect young people, and how you can look after your mental health.

Kasia Richter is a London-based psychologist and wellbeing expert. She comments that “research indicates that teenagers face unique challenges, with the burden of academic expectations, social pressures such as bullying and cyberbullying, and personal development.”

Dealing with stress all the time can really mess with how you make decisions. Alongside stress, teens often deal with emotions like sadness, anger, and fear, which might show up as things like headaches, dizziness, backache, and tummy troubles. Just remember, your feelings are a big deal, and they can show up in your body too!

Richter states that “when we make decisions while experiencing strong negative emotions, we tend to selectively process information. In such situations, we rely on simplified decision-making strategies.

“This phenomenon is linked to the activity of norepinephrine in the brain. Norepinephrine serves as both a neurotransmitter and a hormone, influencing our body's responses. It leads us to analyse less data and instead make quick judgments automatically and without conscious awareness.”

To ensure you’re making the best decisions for your future, it will help to understand what causes you to feel stressed. Below are some useful tips on how to look after your mental health:

• Try not to compare yourself to others (limit time on social media).
• Talk to friends, family, teachers, and support staff.
• Get enough sleep (try not to make a habit of staying up until 3am!).
• Avoid alcohol and drugs, including lots of caffeine ( we're looking at you, energy drinks).
• Try mindfulness and breathing exercises.
• Hang out with pets.

Check out our wellbeing blogs and head on over to our wellbeing hub for more information, including how to access support on some handy apps.

We hope our guide on what to do if you don’t get the grades for university has helped alleviate some stress. We wish you all the best for the future and send positive vibes your way! If you’re considering university, either through clearing or not, don’t forget about student accommodation. We have everything you need at Student Roost to get the best from student life, so why don’t you check out our locations?