How to prepare for Results Day

Results day can feel like a rollercoaster of emotions. Of course, there's the overwhelming sense of anxiety, but you might also experience a rush of adrenaline as you refresh the UCAS page for the hundredth time that morning. No matter how prepared you think you are, your heart still beats quicker when you see that the status of your offer has finally changed.

I’ve been in that exact position – sitting in my room, distracting myself with whatever I can get my hands on, all while my brain envisioned every single possible outcome. And as someone whose results hadn’t been what they expected but ended up thriving in a cybersecurity course at Kingston University that I never expected to love, I want to share some advice with you on how to prepare yourself for the big day.

Have your personal information and key numbers ready

As straightforward as it sounds, trust me, future you on the morning of results day will be grateful. Make sure you know your UCAS login details, and have your clearing number written down somewhere, even if you don’t think you’ll be needing it. Have some university admissions’ numbers on hand, just in case you wish to ring them later. I remember fumbling for my phone and searching frantically on the internet for clearing hotlines with shaky fingers. Having these numbers ready beforehand can save you precious time and stress for when the lines get busy on the day (which they will be, believe me!)

Think of a plan A and a plan B (maybe even a plan C)

Looking back, one of the best things I did was having a rough idea of what I might do if things shifted on the day. Here’s an example:  

Plan A would be getting the exact grades I want, happily accepting my firm choice.  

Plan B would be missing the grades by small margin, where I would wait and see if my insurance will accept me.  

And Plan C would be missing the grades by more, where I would explore clearing and see what courses are available for me.

While I didn’t have a plan like this specifically (though I wish I did), having a guideline like this for yourself to follow means you don’t have to make big decisions in the heat of the moment – you can follow the plan and adjust as the day progresses.

Remember, Clearing is nothing negative

This is important! Before results day, I thought Clearing was only for people who had underachieved. Now, as someone who went through Clearing and is enjoying their course, I know that’s just a load of nonsense. Clearing is simply a system, and some of the most motivated, high-achieving people in my course had also joined through Clearing. Some of them even had the grades that met their offers but changed their mind at the last minute and found a better course through Clearing. So, keep an open mind! You might find a course that you’d never considered before that might end up being perfect for you.

No matter what happens, you are still you  

That’s the biggest thing I wish someone told me. When you open those results, whatever numbers or letters you see, they do NOT change who you are. You are someone who sat your exams, someone who tried their very best, and you simply happen to be standing before a fork in the road. And whatever path you choose leads you to a new direction.

I didn’t get into my original course, and I’m honestly grateful for that. If I had gotten what I expected, I wouldn’t be here at Kington surrounded by amazing people, writing meaningful blogs for my university.

So – save those clearing hotline numbers. Make those plans for yourself before the day. But most importantly, be kind to yourself and remember that whatever happens, you will figure it out!

You got this!