According to Prospects: ‘Students can collect their A-level results from schools and further education (FE) colleges any time after 8am on results day – when they’re released by the exam boards. However, you’ll need to find out their exact opening and closing times, as these will vary.
‘UCAS receives your A-level results directly and will update UCAS Hub accordingly – typically around 8am. As the system will be busy with students keen to find out if they’ve received offers, you’ll need to be patient.
‘In Scotland, if you registered for MySQA you’ll be emailed and/or texted your results from 8am on the day they’re published. Alternatively, you’ll still receive your certificate through the post.’
When students receive their A-level or BTEC results this morning, some may be elated with their grades; others may be less or even disappointed.
It is a feeling Coventry University psychologist Dr Rachael Molitor has experienced. Now she is sharing her top tips to deal with disappointment and stresses the importance of positive thinking.
Dr Molitor hails from a family of perfectionists and always felt pressure to succeed.
When she graduated with a 2:2 in psychology at Birmingham University, her upbringing led her to believe she had failed. Still, after reflecting, communicating her emotions, checking her expectations, and redirecting her mindset, she was able to plan her next steps – continuing her journey.
Those tips helped Dr Molitor refocus. Instead of giving up on her dreams, she signed up for a master’s in psychology at Coventry University and continued her studies at the University to gain her doctorate.
Now she is pursuing her passion by continuing her research journey and training the next generation of psychologists in her role as a lecturer at the University.
Dr Molitor’s key advice for young people who might have had a setback this results day is to try and see the longer-term picture, despite social media pressures.
She said: ‘It is completely normal for you to feel disappointment, something you may have worked so hard on and not get the grades you hoped for. Everyone has been there, whether in exams, a job offer, hobbies, home and social situations.’
‘One of the best ways to deal with disappointment is to redirect your thinking. Although we have less control over the situation we may have been disappointed with, we have control over how we think and react to that situation.’
‘Dwelling on disappointment is not beneficial. Yes, we all need time to give sad, annoyed, or even frustrated with the situation, but dealing with the disappointment is important when understanding how to use the situation to your advantage or to ‘come out the other side, an even better and more well-rounded individual.’
Regarding perfectionism, psychologist Judith Johnson said: ‘ We often use the term “perfectionist” in a light-hearted way, to refer to a friend or colleague who’s being that bit too fussy about something. However, research suggests that having higher levels of perfectionism as a personality trait is one of the strongest factors that can reduce our resilience and make us vulnerable to the negative impact of stress.’
