How to stay calm while waiting for results

1. Keep yourself occupied

It’s easier said than done, but incredibly effective. I know how tempting it can be to lie on your bed and wallow in anxiety and anticipation for results day, but it’s honestly doing you more harm than good. Try to find things to do that keep you distracted, entertained and happy. Some things that helped me were:

Going to the gym and taking long walks/hikes. This kept my mind clear and improved my overall health and wellbeing.

Watching movies and/or shows that I hadn’t been able to watch during exam season. Come on – there must have been something that you’d put off watching because you were busy revising! Treat yourself and give it a watch while you wait.

Working on small personal projects (as a Cyber Security student, doing these projects helped me feel productive without giving myself any pressure. And the best part was that I was working on things that I loved!)

2. Create a post-results plan (then put it away)

It is useful to prepare yourself for every outcome to save yourself the stress on the day. Make a plan, but make it once so that you don’t overthink anything. Think about what you’ll do if you get the results you want, and if you don’t. You can try looking into alternative courses that you may be interested in studying, or looking into modules of your choice, or gaining a better understanding of the clearing process. This way, you’re spending your time proactively and preventing yourself from any hassle in the future.

3. Focus on what you can control

A shift in my mindset helped me to separate what I could control from what I couldn’t. For example, I couldn’t control the exam questions I’d already answered, or the marking process, or any university decisions. However, I could control how I spent my summer, how I took care of my wellbeing, and how to prepare for what was coming. So, be sure to focus on the realistic things, such as looking after yourself, and worry less about what you’ve already done!

4. Be kind to yourself

Remember that it is absolutely normal to feel anxious or nervous. If you begin to feel shaky, or unable to sleep, take a deep breath. Whatever the result happens to be, it is never the end of your story. There are so many open doors waiting for you that you have no idea exist at the moment! You’ve survived every single difficult day in your life so far, and you can survive this one too.

You’ve put in the hard work, sacrificed your time, showed up, sat your exams. That’s what counts, and waiting is simply the challenging part of it all. But in the meantime, busy yourself. Be proactive. Be mindful. But most importantly: be proud of yourself and how far you’ve come!