Results day: what to do if you didn’t get the grades you wanted

Results day can be nerve-wracking, like one moment in time that can define your entire future. Whether you’re waiting for GCSE or A-Level grades, it’s a rollercoaster of emotions that pays off for many, who move on to the next step in their plan.  

But what if you don’t get the results you were expecting? 

Our advice: just take a moment. We know it can be painful, especially if your friends and classmates have secured the grades they wanted. But it’s not the end of the world, we promise. Yes, your plans might change now, but you still have unlimited potential and plenty of options open to you.  

If this means that university is no longer on the cards – it may even be a blessing in disguise. A survey by TotalJobs.com showed that 44% of respondents wished they’d picked a more vocational or hands-on subject as a way of boosting their chances of bagging a good job. 

And take comfort from the fact that there are many people who’ve reached career heights despite missing the grades they wanted – whether that’s Jeremy Clarkson’s annual boast of success despite a C and two Us at A-Level, or our own Chief Operating Officer’s journey up the ranks from a young apprentice – so we thought that some practical tips about taking control of your destiny might be useful. 

Could an apprenticeship be right for you? 

Simply put, an apprenticeship is a paid job where you can learn and gain valuable experience. 
An apprentice’s time is typically split between what we call ‘on-the-job training’ and ‘off-the-job training’.  

Apprenticeships are a great option for young people who want an exciting career and the opportunity for career progression, with the chance to immediately enter the workplace and earn while you learn! 

They are best suited for someone who is clear about what type of job they want to move into after leaving school but would prefer to pick up more practical learning than purely academic means. 

The best part is that apprenticeships are open to anyone over the age of 16, although some courses do have minimum maths and English standards.