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!