Navigating Through GCSE and A-level results day

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Date: 14th Aug 2025

Author: Blueprint for All

Type: Blog

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GCSE and A-level results day can be overwhelming, with many feeling nervous, excited, hopeful, disappointed, or confused. Remember that exam results are not the only indicator of success. If things don’t go as planned, there are many other ways to reach your goals, and we’re here to help you get back on track. 

So, instead of feeling stuck on what didn’t go to plan, here’s what you can do next. 

Pause, Reflect, and Reach Out 

Before jumping into decisions, take a moment to breathe. Whether you are feeling proud or disappointed, give yourself a little time to process. If you didn’t get the results you wanted, it’s natural to feel disappointed, angry or anxious. But rushing decisions while you’re upset can make things harder.  

Ask yourself: How do I feel? What am I proud of? What support might I need right now?

Here is what you can do: 

  • Talk to someone you trust: Share how you are feeling with family, friends, or another trusted person in your life. They might have their own experiences to share, and even saying things out loud can help you think more clearly.  
  • Speak to a teacher, Head of Year, or careers advisor if you have one. They can help you explore options like retakes, remark requests, or alternative certifications. 

Understand and Review Your Options 

You might have had your mind set on a particular course or place, but it’s worth looking at other alternatives. Once you have a moment to pause, the next step is to look at your options, and trust us, there are more options than you think. Consider these:

  • University Clearing: UCAS Clearing is a student-support system that matches students with available university places. It offers many excellent courses each year. Your school or college can help guide you through the process. 
  • Foundation Years. You can do a foundation year, certificate or diploma before the first year of an undergraduate degree course. This is perfect if your grades didn’t meet the direct entry requirements. 
  • Retakes: You can resit specific subjects to improve your grades. Talk to your school about support for retaking, or look into local colleges. 
  • Vocational Qualifications & T-Levels: Vocational courses can provide hands-on skills that employers value. T-Levels combine classroom learning with industry placements. 
  • Apprenticeships & Traineeships: Learn and earn at the same time. Apprenticeships cover many different fields, provide tangible opportunities and expertise for young people in a specific industry of interest. 
  • Work Experience and Internships. Taking time to gain practical experience can strengthen your applications if you decide to study later. 
  • Blueprint for All regularly shares information in these areas. So, keep an eye on our website and social media channels. 

In England, 2024 saw 73% of A-level grades at C or above, and nearly 70% of GCSE entries were at grade 4 or higher, according to Ofqual. So, if you didn’t get the results you wanted, you are not alone.  

Take Care of Yourself 

How you feel about yourself now can shape your next steps just as much as your results. When things feel unbalanced, your well-being is one of the main priorities, and it will help to better understand your emotions. Here is what you can try: 

  • Build a routine: Keep regular sleep, mealtimes, and breaks to help manage stress. 
  • Set small goals: Focus on daily or weekly tasks – such as researching a course, drafting a CV, or filling out an application. 
  • Explore structured support. At Blueprint for All, we offer programmes that include workshops on resilience, professional skills, mentoring, and goal-setting. 
  • Stay active: Even short daily walks or exercise can reduce anxiety and improve focus. You cannot be productive or work 24 hours a day. Sometimes, giving yourself a bit of space to think can be fundamental to making better decisions. 
  • Stay connected: Lean on friends, family, or professionals. They can guide you through this process and help you feel supported and less alone.
  • Find a new interest or hobby: Nourishing a skill that is not directly related to your academic success is fundamental. It can ease anxiety and give you a different sense of achievement and progress.  
  • Blueprint for All shares downloadable guides, live Q&As with mentors, and interactive events that can help you build confidence and skills. 

Plan Your Next Steps 

Now that you have had time to reflect, understand your options, and look after yourself, it’s time to look ahead. Step by step, you can create the future you want and deserve. Grab your notebook or laptop, and: 

  • Make a list of interests and goals: What subjects or career paths still excite you? What are the things that are most important to you? How could those things relate to your career future? 
  • Research pathways: Use sites like UCAS, apprenticeships.gov.uk, tlevels.gov.uk, and Prospects.  
  • Connect with organisations: Blueprint for All can help you build confidence for your next move. We have free mentoring, skills workshops, and networking opportunities available for you to explore.
  • Stay flexible: Your path might look different now, but that doesn’t mean it can’t lead somewhere exciting and intentional. 

Remember: These Numbers Do Not Define You.  

 

Your marks don’t measure creativity, empathy, work ethic, or potential, and they do not dictate your future. Your results matter, but they don’t capture everything about you. So, take a deep breath, reflect, reach out, and know that you’ve got this. 

Your journey doesn’t end on results day – it begins here.  

Connect with us on social media (TikTok, LinkedIn, and Instagram) for resources, advice, and more information about our programmes.

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