A Level Results Day is fast approaching and it can be a busy time, especially if you're exploring your options through Clearing. To help you feel more prepared, we’ve put together a few things to think about as we head into Results Day.
By Elsa Tatam. Published 12 August 2024.
Overprepare
Preparation is the key to avoiding panic. Set your alarm, find out where you need to be and when, and make sure to save those all-important links for checking your offers.
You’ve worked hard and we’re confident you’ll get the grades you need, but it doesn’t hurt to have a back-up plan too. Consider selecting three to five universities as your alternative options and note their Clearing phone numbers before the day. UCAS opens their Clearing portal from 3pm, but that doesn’t mean you can’t call universities’ Clearing lines prior to this.
Remember, your grades can also be higher than you expected. So if you had a few universities in mind, but didn’t think you’d make the cut, note them down too. The question to ask yourself is ‘would I have chosen the same universities and courses if I knew I would do better?’. If the answer is no, then Clearing is also for you.
Not being ready and panicking on the day could put you in a negative mind-set. Having a back-up plan will save you time and most of all, it’ll save you stress.
Prepare your tech
Bookmark UCAS Track so you can log in and check your offers first thing. Your offers will be released at 8am on August 15 and UCAS Track will be offline for the days before Results Day to allow for updating.
UCAS Clearing options will be available from 3pm on Results Day, so don’t worry that you can’t access this feature until the afternoon.
Mental preparation
It’s important not to forget your mental health on Results Day. Remember - the hard part is done and your results are the reward.
A lot of A Level students will want to share their experiences on their social channels. Try to avoid social media today as watching your peers celebrating (or commiserating) can heighten your Results Day anxiety.
If you live with a mental health condition, we would recommend you talk to someone prior to Results Day. Whether it’s a friend or a family member, sharing any concerns could help alleviate some of the worry.
It can be comforting to open your results with your friends, but it’s also okay if you’d prefer to open them on your own. How ever you want to do it, it’s your decision.
Having a good night’s sleep will also help the nerves, along with having a good breakfast. Protein, fruits and grains have been linked to brain productivity and focus.
Clearing
If you’re planning to come through Clearing, use our Clearing checklist to prepare everything you need ahead of time.
Make sure you have your Clearing number ready, as well as the phone numbers of the universities you are planning to contact written down. Things move quickly on the day so having a plan of action will make it much easier.
If things don’t go to plan (for better or worse) and you decide to use Clearing based on your results, check out our dedicated Clearing webpage or call our Clearing hotline on 0808 301 9834 where our friendly Admissions team can help answer all your questions.
After you get your results
Organise an activity with your friends or family. You will remember this day for a long time to come, so make the most of it. Some of your classmates’ dreams may have come true, and some may be disappointed. Being there for others will allow you to share the emotional highs and lows, and help it seem less daunting to all of you.
Whatever the outcome of Results Day, the key thing is to stay positive, and be proactive about your future. You worked hard for your grades and now is the time to make your grades work for you.
Head to our Clearing hub for more advice and information in the lead up to Results Day, and good luck to everyone getting their results this week.
