Exam results not what you were expecting? Feeling like your world has fallen apart? Not sure what to do next? Don’t worry. Your Student’s Union are here with some tips to help you look after your wellbeing during what can be a very stressful time.

Managing any anxiety

This is a good tip for life, but it can be very helpful during important times like results season. Whether you are waiting to see how you’ve done, or you’ve already received the news, you can easily get stuck in unhelpful circles of thought.

What’s going to happen now? What if what happens isn’t what I want? What future will I have?

Thoughts like these can make general feelings of anxiety much stronger and can leave you feeling hopeless or trapped. Take some time to calm your mind, it will help you see a clearer way through. You can:

• Stay hydrated with plenty of water. What you put in your body can affect your mood and staying hydrated helps you focus and stay calm. Peppermint tea and chamomile tea are said to help reduce high stress, so you could always try those too.
• Keep your mind busy and release those ‘happy hormones’ by doing some form of physical activity. It could be going for a gentle walk or a jog, to the gym, doing some yoga or meditation or simply dancing it out around your kitchen to your favourite song.
• Try calming or stress relieving activities like colouring, sketching, baking, listening to music or reading a book.

Talk it out

It’s important to talk about your worries. Not only can this help you feel validated, but it can also put things into perspective, help you work through a problem, get some advice or just feel lighter for sharing your concerns. ‘A problem shared is a problem halved’, so turn to your support networks  and let them know how you’re feeling. Whether it’s older siblings or parents who have been through what you are facing, or friends who are in the same position as you, be sure to seek out and lean on that supportive community.

If you feel you need more formal advice from people with the knowledge to reassure and help you explore all possible options…no problem!

• Prospective University students: if you’re not sure where to go with your A-Level results, try talking to a trusted tutor or supervisor, or explore your options through clearing.
• Current Coventry University and CU students: if this years module/exam results have put your head in a spin, always remember the University's Health and Wellbeing Services are here for you. Or you can seek free, confidential advice on academic matters through Your Students’ Union’s Advice Service.      
• Wherever you are on your education journey, If you are really struggling, don’t be afraid to reach out to medical professionals like your GP or a walk-in centre who can help with structured strategies and safe talking spaces. UK organisations such as Anxiety UK, Student Minds and Samaritans can also help.   
• Never stay silent.

Consider all options

If you are an A-level student and don’t do as well in your exams as expected, or you don’t get the grades for your first choice Uni, it’s not the end! Your results do not define you and there are so many options out there:

• Clearing: If you didn’t receive an offer or didn’t meet the conditions of your offer (or if you want to change your course because your results are better than expected!) you can apply via Clearing. Find out more about clearing at Coventry University.
• Take a gap year: If exam results after college or sixth form leave you feeling lost, you can choose to defer and take a gap year where you can learn new skills, build your confidence, and become clearer on the direction you want to take. Of course, only a few of us can afford to pack our bags and travel around the world, but your gap year doesn’t have to be far away. You could spend it volunteering around the UK or local area.
• Look at other education-based options and resits: a traditional degree isn’t the only route you can take. You could consider alternative courses, foundation degrees and apprenticeships which offer on the job training alongside qualifications. Both prospective and current students can also look to resit your assessments or resubmit coursework. Speak to your educational provider who will be happy to help you.
• Gain Employment: not all careers require university degree or lots of educational qualifications. You could research to see if careers you’re interested in have alternative routes, and gain valued work experience on the job…plus a salary!

Always remember: you can’t control your results once you get them, but you can control where you go next.

We wish you the best of luck with your results. Regardless of the grades on paper, you’ve achieved so much by experiencing your exams and getting through them. Success comes in many forms and even if things don’t go the way you hoped, you can still be on the right path, it might just look a bit different.

“Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life that you are proud to live.” – Anne Sweeney