Do's and dont's: A-level results day
WITH results day fast approaching, the district’s secondary school pupils will soon be learning their fate.
The will be at the area’s schools when the AS and A-level results are announced on August 13 and the GCSEs on August 20.
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In preparation for the big day, the headteacher of St Gabriel’s School, Alun Jones, said that keeping calm and taking control were key to handling the tears and tantrums when you open that envelope.
He said: “What happens on A-level results day can alter the course of your life.
“You need to keep calm, remain focused and take control of your situation.
“Hopefully you will get the results and university place you want.
“But if not, all is not lost.
“Take stock, make a plan and phone universities yourself – they want to hear from you, not your parents.
“And remember that there is no longer a cap on the number of students universities can recruit – it’s a buyer’s market and most universities will be happy to consider last minute applicants.”
Some other dos and don’ts for A-level results day from the Girls’ School Association, of which Mr Jones is president:
Do go into school early with all the info you might need. Take everything you might need; details of your module results as well as GCSE grades, your UCAS clearing number and UCAS personal ID.
Do check Track – university decisions are communicated directly here.
Do take control if you go through Clearing. You and your parents may well be disappointed but you need to be realistic and positive and not allow yourself to be rushed into unwise positions. Remaining calm and focused throughout the day will improve your chances of a positive outcome.
Do seek advice about trading up if your results are better than expected.
Do visit the university before firmly accepting.
Do ask teachers about emergency re-marks. If you decide to pursue a re-mark, get your school or headteacher to ring your chosen university and secure a guarantee that you will get a place if the grade changes; don’t take that for granted and be prepared to fight – politely.
Don’t rely on your parents. Remember that they may not necessarily know best – it’s a long time since they were at university, if they went at all. Parents are, however, great moral support but when it comes to negotiating a place, it’s you universities want to hear from.
Don’t procrastinate or feel sorry for yourself. If your grades are disappointing, you can’t afford to go off to a quiet corner to lick your wounds. Time is of the essence.
Don’t be rude. There will be a large number of students trying to get through to the same universities so don’t get annoyed with people – it will pay to be patient and polite.
Don’t rush into accepting a European university.
Don’t believe that any place is better than none at all, and above all, don’t panic.