It is August which means that Results Day is just around the corner. With this day approaching, you may be feeling anxious or worried about your GCSE results. With the impact of these results on future education and employment, receiving exam results can be a stressful situation. You may need to change plans if things don’t turn out as expected or you may be nervous about the changes involved if you do get the results that you want. Please be reassured that feeling anxious or apprehensive about this day is a completely normal reaction, and anxiety can be heightened if you already manage mental health issues. Additionally, we all respond differently when waiting for important news, and some of us can find this easier to manage than others.

Here are some signs that you may be experiencing stress and anxiety:

• Poor sleep or experiencing nightmares
• Loss of motivation to carry out daily activities
• Withdrawing from friends and family
• General low mood and feeling negative

To ease the worry surrounding this day, we have comprised a list of tips to help:

1. Talk to friends/ family: Try not to bottle up your emotions and make sure you talk to someone about how you are feeling. It may help to talk to someone in the same situation who is experiencing similar emotions to reassure you that you are not the only one to feel this way.
2. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself: It is always best to prepare yourself and plan for the best and worst outcomes. Exams do not always go the way we want them to and we may not always get the grades that we need. It is important to remember that exam results do not define you as a person and no matter what the outcome, there is always something that you can do.
3. Make a plan if things do not go your way: It may be a good idea to research all the options you can take depending on the results you receive. This will help to reduce the anxiety of not knowing what happens next if you do not get the outcome that you wanted.
4. Have someone with you on the day: If you can, try and turn up to results day with someone else. Whether that be a friend, family member or guardian. Going with a friend who is also collecting their results means that you can offer each other reassurance and talk through options together. With that being said, there can be a lot of peer pressure to share your results with others, so don’t feel bad about not wanting to discuss your results with anyone else.
5. Focus on yourself: You may want to make plans with friends and family after receiving your results. However, if you would like to spend some time by yourself afterwards, that is absolutely fine too! Also, try not to compare your results to others – this is your future and their results should not make a difference.
6. Be kind to yourself: Probably one of the most important tips we can give you is to be kind to yourself no matter what your results are. You cannot change the past and worrying about this is not helpful or useful. Keep your mind on the future and what your goals are.
7. Celebrate success: If you did receive the grades you were aiming for, take the time to acknowledge and appreciate your hard work and dedication. Achieving your academic goals is a significant milestone, and it’s important to celebrate these moments as they reflect your perseverance, discipline, and commitment.

In conclusion, anxiety around exam results day is a shared experience that can feel overwhelming, but it’s important to remember that your worth isn’t defined by a set of grades. Whether the results meet your expectations or not, they are just one step in your journey. Focus on the bigger picture, celebrate your efforts, and be kind to yourself. Take the time to process your emotions, lean on your support network, and remind yourself that there are many paths to success. The future is full of opportunities, and this is just one chapter in your story.

If you’re feeling uncertain about your next steps after receiving your exam results, you should consider exploring apprenticeships. Apprenticeships offer a hands-on approach to learning, allowing you to earn while you gain valuable experience. An apprenticeship not only equips you with practical skills and qualifications but also opens doors to a rewarding career. It’s an excellent opportunity to start building your future in a nurturing and supportive environment, regardless of your exam results. At Showcase Training, we deliver Early Years Apprenticeships at Level 2 and Level 3. If you would like to have a rewarding career in Early Years, please do get in contact with us, we would love to hear from you!