Results Day Is Coming… Here’s How to Prepare Yourself (Whatever Happens)
For many families, the countdown to GCSE and A-Level Results Day can be just as stressful as the exams themselves.
As the day gets closer, it’s perfectly normal for students to start asking themselves questions like:
“What if I haven’t done enough?”
“What if I don’t get into college?”
“What if I let everyone down?”
Parents often have their own worries too. You want your child to succeed, but you also know how much these results seem to matter to them.
If that sounds familiar, you’re certainly not alone.
The good news is that there are things you can do now to make Results Day feel a little less overwhelming.
Remember… Nothing Has Changed Since You Finished Your Exams
One of the hardest parts of waiting for results is that there is nothing more you can do to change them.
The exams have been taken.
The papers have been marked.
Whatever happens on Results Day has already happened.
Worrying every day between now and then won’t change the outcome—but it can stop you enjoying the rest of your summer.
Instead, try to focus on the things you can control.
Spend time with friends and family.
Enjoy your hobbies.
Get outside.
Stay active.
Keep your mind busy with positive things rather than endless “what if” thoughts.
To Every Student Reading This…
It’s completely understandable if you’re feeling nervous.
Almost everyone does.
But before you start imagining the worst, remember that your exam results measure how you performed on a handful of papers over a few days.
They do not measure:
- Your kindness.
- Your determination.
- Your creativity.
- Your resilience.
- Your sense of humour.
- Your character.
- Your potential.
Those qualities will stay with you long after Results Day has passed.
A Message for Parents
Your child may not say much over the next couple of weeks, but don’t assume they aren’t thinking about Results Day.
Many young people carry their worries quietly.
Rather than repeatedly asking, “Do you think you’ve done well?”, try asking:
“How are you feeling about Results Day?”
Sometimes they don’t need answers.
They simply need someone who will listen without judgement.
Knowing they have your support—whatever the outcome—can make an enormous difference.
If the Results Are Better Than Expected…
Celebrate!
Your child has worked hard and deserves to enjoy the moment.
Take photos.
Share the good news.
Be proud of everything they’ve achieved.
If the Results Aren’t What You Hoped For…
Remember this before Results Day arrives:
Not getting the grades you expected does not mean you’ve run out of opportunities.
Every year, thousands of students across the UK:
- Join different colleges.
- Change courses.
- Apply through UCAS Clearing.
- Take apprenticeships.
- Study vocational qualifications.
- Complete Foundation Years.
- Resit subjects.
- Discover a different route into the career they love.
There is rarely just one path to success.
Make a Plan Before Results Day
One of the best ways to reduce anxiety is to know what you’ll do if things don’t go to plan.
Over the next two weeks:
- Find out what time your results can be collected.
- Keep your school or college contact details handy.
- If you’re applying to university, make sure you know your UCAS login details.
- Talk as a family about the different options that are available.
- Agree that, whatever happens, you’ll deal with it together.
Having a plan can make Results Day feel far less frightening.
We’ve Got You Covered
To help families prepare, we’ve created two free guides that we’ll be sharing over the coming days:
📘 Parent Action Guide
A practical guide explaining who to contact, what questions to ask and the different options available if your child doesn’t get the grades they were hoping for.
📗 Student Guide
Simple, reassuring advice to help students understand their options, look after their wellbeing and take the next steps with confidence.
Keep an eye on our website and social media over the next week—we’ll share both guides before Results Day.
Success Is About More Than One Day
At SESMA Martial Arts, we’ve spent more than 35 years helping young people overcome challenges, build confidence and develop resilience.
One lesson we see time and time again is this:
Success isn’t about never facing setbacks.
It’s about how you respond when things don’t go exactly as planned.
Whether your Results Day brings celebration, disappointment or a mixture of both, remember that this is only one moment in a much bigger journey.
Keep believing in yourself.
Keep asking questions.
Keep moving forward.
Your future is still full of possibilities.
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