12 Ways to Prepare for Your Results Day!By Jobhop

RESULTS DAYFor students across the country, this is what all of the hours of study and hard work comes down to. If your results day is looming, no doubt the nerves will be running high.The best thing any student can do ahead of the big day is to get organised and have a solid plan in place. With the right preparation, you will be able to make the best choices, no matter what happens when you open that envelope.

Here are 12 ways you can make sure you’re prepared for your results day…

1. Remember that you’ve done everything you canAll of the hard work has been done, so there is no use in worrying now. Tell yourself that you’ve done everything you can do at this point and the income is now out of your hands. Whatever will be, will be, and you will be more than ready to handle it.

2. Do your researchIf you think there is a chance that you won’t hit your expected grades, then don’t panic, there are plenty of options available to you. Even if you feel confident about your results, it’s wise to do your research and talk through all of your options with your friends, family and teachers. Courses with vacancies will be on the UCAS website, so go through the current vacancies and make a list of universities, course codes and their phone numbers ready for results day, just in case things don’t go to plan.

3. Ensure you have everything you need on the dayA couple of days before, root out your UCAS Track login details, a working mobile phone and contact details for your chosen universities. This is bound to make everything easier and fuss-free.

4. Get a good night’s sleepIt might be difficult to fall asleep the night before results day, but feeling well rested is essential if you’re going to be making big decisions clearly. Try staying off social media at least an hour before you go to bed, as this is bound to make you feel more restless and reading people panicking about their results is the last thing you want to do!

5. Start the day rightResults day can be highly stressful, an experience that can exhaust you emotionally and physically. The best way to kick things off is with a hearty and healthy breakfast. You can’t make celebrate or make clear decisions about your future on an empty stomach.

6. Getting friends or families to pick up your resultsIf you’re away on results day, you can arrange for friends or family to pick up your results for you. Just make sure you let them know who’s coming in on your behalf. Take your UCAS login away with you and have someone back at home who also has access so they can check it for you if you can’t access the internet.

If you get the grades…7. Make sure you read your confirmation letter carefullyCongratulations, you’ve been accepted! Read your confirmation letter carefully as it may contain important information from your chosen university about what to do next. You should also double check the contact details you’ve registered with them so that any communications from them go to the right place.

If you missed your grades by a little…8. Speak to your chosen universityIf you missed your grades by just a few marks, contact your chosen university and explain. They may still let you in, or at least offer you an alternative course, which you can accept or decline via UCAS.

9. Prepare a list of back-up universitiesNot getting into your chosen university can feel less than ideal at first, but many people end up feeling that everything workedout for the best. Before results day, do some research into back-up universities you would genuinely consider going to, as well as similar courses to your own that you would be happy to accept.Deferring your place…10. Prepare a good reason for deferring your placeWhether or not you get accepted, you may decide to defer your place until next year. This could be to travel, do work experience or re-sit any exams to get the grades you want.11. Keep your options openRemember that university is only one pathway. There are lots of other great alternatives out there, from apprenticeships or internships, to taking a gap year, or going straight into employment. Take time to consider all of your options.Last but not least…12. RelaxYou can’t change anything now, so there is no point in worrying. There’s no point in thinking ‘my life is over’ because it isn’t. Just relax and enjoy your holidays. As long as you’re prepared for any outcome, you will be fine!Above all, Jobhop wishes all students the best of luck! Still have questions about results day? Tweet us over on Twitter and we’ll do our best to help!