Results Day can be an emotional rollercoaster filled with anticipation, joy, relief, and for some, disappointment. If you didn’t get the grades you were hoping for it’s important to remember you’re not alone. In fact, many A Level fall short of the grades they were predicted or had hoped for, with Ofqual reporting almost 25% of students don’t achieve C or above. But how do you manage those feelings and what should you do next?
Written by Dr Adam Jowett. Published 13 August 2025.
Pause and acknowledge how you feel
First, take a moment. Breathe. Whatever you’re feeling right now is valid. You’ve invested months, even years, working toward these results. It’s okay to feel upset.
Psychologically speaking, we don’t just respond to grades, we respond to what we believe those grades say about us. When things don’t go to plan, it can feel like the future we imagined is slipping away. That sense of loss can be painful because it challenges our sense of self and direction.
Choose a growth mindset
In moments of disappointment, it’s easy to spiral into self-criticism or catastrophic thinking. You might tell yourself: “I’ve failed. My future is over”. But psychological approaches like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) teach us to pause and question those automatic thoughts. What we tell ourselves matters.
This is where mindset becomes crucial. We all have a choice in how we interpret setbacks. We can choose to adopt a fixed mindset and tell ourselves that our abilities are unchangeable. You could convince yourself that your A Level results reflect your ability and that you’re not cut out for university. Or you can choose to adopt a growth mindset. Your ability can be developed through effort, strategy and perseverance. If you adopt a growth mindset, tell yourself: “These grades are a setback, but they don’t define me. I can learn from this and come back stronger”. Setbacks can be powerful motivators, if you let them.
Research shows that people with a growth mindset are more resilient, adaptable and successful in the long run. Many of the world’s most successful people, such as Michael Jordan, Oprah Winfrey and Steve Jobs, have faced rejection or failure at the start of their journeys. What made them so successful was not their inherent ability but how they responded to setbacks.
But I didn’t get the grades I need to go to university
Don’t panic, you have options. If you didn’t meet your firm or insurance offer, check your UCAS account and emails as some universities may still accept you through Clearing. If you were close to meeting your offer, you may get accepted to your original university still.
If you don’t have a confirmed place, remember thousands of students go through Clearing every year and go on to thrive at universities that value them. You may even find a course better suited to your interests at a university that’s a better fit for you. After all, don’t you want to go somewhere that believes in your potential?
We see more than just grades
This may not have been the Results Day you imagined but your journey is far from over. You are not your grades. With the right mindset and environment, your potential is limitless.
Remember: Take a deep breath. Be kind to yourself. Explore your options. Your future is still ahead of you and we’re here to support you when you’re ready.
Our team of friendly Clearing advisors are ready to help you, whether you simply have questions about our courses or are ready to apply.
Find your place with us this September. Call us on 08000 846 068 (UK) or 08006 911 848 (International) or you can send us a WhatsApp message. Check our Clearing hub for opening hours.
