Anxious wait for West Notts College A-Level students almost over

If that’s you or you know someone who is, West Notts College have produced a handy quick guide on what to expect and how to prepare for the big day.

But whatever happens, it is important to realise that your A-Level results don’t decide the rest of your life - it’s what you make of them that counts.

Good luck!

On the day

It’s always good to arrive early so you can meet up with your fellow classmates, and find out where you need to be in plenty of time.

There will probably be a hive of activity as some very anxious students and their parents and friends queue to receive their results.

It’s a good idea to come prepared and bring any UCAS information or university application letters along with you, should you need to talk to a member of our team or ring clearing hotlines.

You may also find a pen and paper useful, and don’t forget your mobile phone, so you can ring friends and family to share the news – and capture those all-important selfies (using #madeatwestnotts).

Once you’ve received your results, have you thought about what’s next?

All the hard work is done, you’ve sat the exam and your coursework has been handed in – so why worry?

Easier said than done we know, but worrying unnecessarily will not change your results now (unless you find reason to appeal).

It’s much more important to have plans and steps in place for every potential outcome.

I got the grades I wanted:

Congratulations – you’re probably feeling pretty good right now.

Before you go out and celebrate with friends, you’ll need to make sure everything is put in place to allow for a smooth entry into university or the world of work. Have you got your next steps firmly in place?

If you’d like any careers or employment advice you can speak to the dedicated careers team at college who will be happy to help.

The college’s HE team would also be happy to help with any questions about going to university.

I did better than or not as well as I expected:

If your results have surprised you (whether that be positively or not) we can help.

If your results were better than expected, you may decide that university is now the path you wish to take.

Did you know that West Notts offers a number of university-level courses which are both flexible and affordable?

We’re not part of UCAS which means you can apply for a university-level course at the college right now, ready to start in September.

Didn’t do as well as you’d hoped?

You’ll probably have to go through the clearing process.

This allows you to look at the universities across the country to see where places are still available.

Speak to the dedicated HE team at college who will be able to advise you on your options.

We may still be able to offer you a position on a higher-level course right here at the college.

I didn’t get what I wanted – what now?

First things first, don’t panic.

If your results came as a bit of a shock – remember there’s always a plan B.

Why not speak to our careers and employability team? They offer impartial advice and may be able to help you take your career plans forward.

Have you considered an apprenticeship? They’re a great alternative to university-level study, and you can earn qualifications and get paid too.

You can find live vacancies at www.visionapprentices.co.uk or visit our VA recruitment stand where you can get advice and guidance on the day.

You could also choose to defer university and employment and take a gap year. There’s plenty of opportunity out there, it’s up to you to go out and grab it.

We wish everyone the best of luck for their results and look forward to seeing some of you in September.