Why not to despair if your A Levels didn't work out

   A few days ago, the dreaded annual A-Level results day swarmed mainstream media. Televised everywhere, tantalising truths were disclosed at the tearing of envelopes and tears that followed.

   Were you one of those students? In the heat of the moment, it might feel as if those typed grades will forever be imprinted on your life, defining your self worth, your future and your success. You couldn't be more wrong.


   Reflecting on my A-Level experience, I can honestly say that those were the worst two years of my life. Despite my chosen courses being very subjective, I found that almost everything I did was wrong. I did exceptionally well in my GCSE's achieving four A*s, seven As and two Bs but absolutely nothing prepared me for the shitstorm that was year 11/12. It certainly didn't help that things weren't so great outside of school either.

   The underlying problem with schools is that they never stop talking about university. Even in my years approaching sixth form, I was frequently told:

"Take part in extra curricular activities! Universities will admire that!"
"You should go for Class Captain! It will look good on your personal statement for university!"
"You need to pass all of your GCSEs or you won't get into university."

Who said all students wanted to go to university? Who said they needed to? You don't.

   Schools do talk about apprenticeships and going straight into the world of work but not even nearly as much as they push their pupils to go to university to the point that it becomes overrated. Unfortunately, parents can be deemed equally as guilty when they think they're pushing their children to do better. Stop dismissing apprenticeships and working as an 'alternative option' to university! They are not second best. No hard working student deserves to feel as though all hopes of success are diminished if they don't get into Cambridge.

   Let me tell you a story. Luckily, I did get into my second choice university despite not achieving the required grades. It turned out I made a 'good impression' at my selection day. I will forever be grateful to my university for that - for taking on board me as a person and my attitude towards my education and career. I am currently studying journalism, which I have wanted to do for many years.

   I am currently considering broadcast journalism as one of my potential career paths. One day, I had the pleasure of being invited to a BBC Radio studio for a tour and to ask questions. There, I met several employees, one of whom became embedded into my mind. A young woman. She was only a year older than me but there she was, sat at a desk in the recording studio as a Broadcast Assistant. 

   I asked her if she went to university. No, she explained. She was apprenticed to the BBC. After obtaining work experience in radio, she was taken on for the role and, already, she was familiarised with everything. It's safe to say that, if I were to return in two years time with my shiny new degree, this woman will probably be running the place... and she won't be in debt.

   It just goes to show that, even in a vast competitive field like Journalism, you don't need a degree. They're brilliant to have and so much hard work goes into them but they're not essential. It's down to experience.


   It is also very important to reiterate that A Levels are not your only shot at getting into University. Some careers do require a degree, for instance, medicine. This can be done through clearing, reapplying (perhaps taking a year off to obtain some relevant work experience) or even studying from home with Open University. I have known people to do the latter and literally transform their lives in their mid thirties/forties. It's never too late. 

   If you take anything away from this post, let it be this: your A Level results don't define you.
You may have done very well. It doesn't mean you always will so keep working hard to maintain your success.
You may not think you've done very well. That doesn't mean you didn't work hard. You are capable of so much. This is not the end!

Have you taken your A Levels yet? How did you feel about them then and how do you feel now?
Let me know in the comments!

34 comments

  1. So many good points!Even at gcse level alevels were deemed the be all and end all and I was criticized for choosing a college course. But that course allowed me to specialize early on and do things a lot of my peers didn't get to do in alevels! So many alternatives are looked down on just because the most common paths are seen as better; even taking a gap year people assumed I had failed my exams when in fact I got top grades. I think we are far to judgmental of peoples decisions in life and this piece of writing proves that! Such a good post on an important topic

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    1. Sometimes, I wondered if I would have been better off taking a college course. People on my journalism course took one and still got in! Your experience sounded quite fun whenever you talked about it, to be honest (even though it was still stressful!). You are right. People are very judgemental but it is down to ourselves to prove them wrong and show the world what we can do as we play by our own rules!

      Much love,

      Meg x

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  2. This is such a great post!

    Sophie xx // www.oneunique.co.uk

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    1. I'm so glad you thought so, Sophie! Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment.

      Much love,

      Meg x

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  3. I remember leaving school in 4th hear and going straight to college, it was the best decision I ever made yet I know others who done their a levels and it was the decision they made, everyone's paths are different so it always bugs me when some teachers harp on about not succeeding in life if you don't get high grades and do your a levels etc... I enjoyed this post, fab topic.

    Jordanne || Thelifeofaglasgowgirl.co.uk

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    1. Agreed! Everyone works towards their goals in different ways and some methods work better for individuals than others; teachers need to start addressing this more! I'm so glad that you enjoyed this post, Jordanne.

      Much love,

      Meg x

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  4. Well said. I did badly on my A'Levels and went in to get my degree as a mature student, years later, and am a qualified teacher. Despite my disability meaning I've not been well enough to teach I'm proud of my degree, and as a mature student my A'Levels weren't taken into account so I totally agree with you.

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    1. Wow, that's amazing! Well done on all you have achieved despite your setbacks; it goes to show that perseverance goes a very long way. Thank you for sharing your story and taking the time to comment!

      Much love,

      Meg x

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  5. I agree with so much of what you said, university is pushed so much during school and college but there is so much more than that! It's made to feel like uni is the only option but I know people who left school and went into a job and are doing well and others did college or apprenticeships. Everyone has their own path and there's nothing wrong with doing something different to others x

    Tiffany x www.foodandotherloves.co.uk

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    1. I am completely in agreement with you, Tiffany! There's more than one way to succeed and none should be deemed superior to others because this puts a lot of pressure on students and makes them feel hopeless if they don't get the grades. Learning should be enjoyed!

      Much love,

      Meg x

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  6. Love how positive this was! Couldn't agree more with your points, your results don't define you or your future completely!
    With Love Yossy x

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    1. Thank you, Yossy! It makes me happy that you agree with the overall message of this post. The sooner people realise this about their grades, the better. A levels are only the beginning!

      Much love,

      Meg x

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  7. Great post. I never did my A-Levels at all because at the time nearly ten years ago I was told I had to do them to get into University and because I did't want to go there I didn't do my A-Levels. There seems to be so much more pressure on students but I'm glad there are posts like this.

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    1. Not everyone wants to go to university and it's not something that should be frowned upon. It's great that you've chosen a different path for yourself and I wish you all the best for reaching your life goals (if you haven't reached them already!).

      There is so much pressure and it's honestly heart breaking to see students not enjoying their education because of it. Thank you for your lovely comment.

      Much love,

      Meg x

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  8. I completely agree. I completed my A-levels over 15 years ago and honestly? I don't remember what I got! apart from getting into uni, nobody has ever asked me, they just don't care, now experience counts for so much more.

    https://the-writeblog.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/why-not-to-despair-if-your-levels-didnt.html?fref=gc

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    1. Exactly! At the time of taking my GCSEs, I was under the impression that it was a matter of life or death whether I get good grades or not. Literally nobody asks for them! I'm fairly certain that A Levels are purely there to get you into University and then they don't matter. It's all down to attitude and experience in the world of work.

      Much love,

      Meg x

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  9. Yeah I don't think they are that important really - they got me into uni but I have never used quotes from Death of a Salesman or Great Expectations in my daily or work life! x
    Lola Mia // www.lolitabonita.co.uk

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    1. I studied Death of a Salesman at A Level as well! Good play but, like you said, completely useless in the real world ;)

      Much love,

      Meg x

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  10. I fully agree with this post, I'm so happy for people who got amazing grades in their A-Levels but those who didn't shouldn't be disheartened. So many successful people didn't get their wanted grades in school or college and they've done as well as others! My mother unfortunately didn't get much education after school due to having my brother and being a mother to him but she was a fully qualified chef for years after and she loved it! Xx

    Itsallzara

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    1. Come to think of it, a lot of successful people didn't do very well in their education at all but still found other ways to become successful! Your mother is a BOSS; a massive well done to her!

      Much love,

      Meg x

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  11. Well said! I definitely don't think Alevels and exams determine your future and everyone takes different paths in life

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    1. I'm very glad you agree! Just because a path happens to be more commonly taken, it doesn't mean it's the only route to your destination.

      Much love,

      Meg x

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  12. Such a great post for those who maybe didn't get the results they had hoped for.

    Sophia xo // https://sophiaaaxo.com

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    1. Thank you, Sophia. I did see a lot of faces drop when results were disclosed and my heart broke for them because I knew exactly how it felt to be so disappointed in yourself and feel hopeless for the future. I don't want anyone to feel like that ever if I can help it.

      Much love,

      Meg x

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  13. This is advice I wish I'd be given before I even started my A-levels. A ridiculous amount of pressure is put on young people to achieve highly academically and it often results in the opposite happening.

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    1. I wish someone had told me all of this as well! The jump from GCSE to A Level is RIDICULOUS. The pressure becomes so much that you no longer enjoy certain aspects of your education and it's just so upsetting.

      Much love,

      Meg x

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  14. I fall in love with your posts a little more with every new one. Such powerful, well-written words Meg and I agree with everything you've mentioned. Personally, A-Levels always seemed like the be all and end all in my mind, and I never considered any other options that were out there. It annoys me that schools pressure us into thinking like that! x

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    1. I fall in love with your comments, Rach! I'm so glad you agree and that's exactly how it was for me. It was just: "Ace your A Levels or that's it." The stress is just not healthy.

      Much love,

      Meg x

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  15. This is such a great post. It is so true, you don't NEED to go to University. I'm doing an apprenticeship this year and finishing at the end of October, and it's such a great experience. You get to learn so much while you are working, so it's definitely worth it. A lot of jobs really value the experience too, so I'm not sure why Schools/Colleges put it down so much they are definitely worth it! Xx

    https://allaboutamy.uk

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    1. That's brilliant to hear, Amy! What are you apprenticing in? Work experience is vital and all employers push for it so it should never be undermined!

      Much love,

      Meg x

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  16. Things will always turn out brill in the end, Im at uni now and I never thought I would be! xx
    Abbey-hearts.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. I'm so happy to hear this, Abbey! I didn't think I would get into a University I would love so much but here I am! We did it!

      Much love,

      Meg x

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  17. There's many ways to get into uni or persue a career, there's always more than one pathway! PS I love the mug! Where did you get it? 🙈 xx

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    1. Always! Thank you, Billi, it was a very lovely personalised present from one of my closest friends. I believe she ordered it online from somewhere! So thoughtful of her; I love it!

      Much love,

      Meg x

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