This article was first published in August 2021.
Your exams are done and dusted and you now know your GCSE results. Firstly, you should be proud of yourself, whatever your result – but what can you do if your results weren't what you were expecting?
We've brought together Finneen Bradley, careers academy manager and deputy head of learner services at North West Regional College, Anne Richardson, a careers adviser at the Department for the Economy and Darren Nixon, expert education consultant, to give you some advice which will hopefully make your next steps a little more clear.
I didn't get the exam results I needed
If your results weren't as good as you had hoped, then don't panic, there are still plenty of options for you – this video explains some of them.
Finneen:So if you don't get the GCSE results that you were awaiting, then please don't panic, there's options out there for everyone. There's options at further and higher education college, which will give you the GCSE equivalent. It is also crucially important that you don't follow your friends or rush into making rash decisions, take your time, plan and explore all your options.
Anne:Irrespective of how you have done in your GCSE's, you as an individual always have options. You always have a way of moving forward in your career path. So come and speak to someone in the careers service, perhaps you and your parent, to get that information to allow you to make your decision.
Finneen:Don't rush into making the decision, make sure you have researched all your options that are suitable for you. Make sure you have the correct GCSE profile required for your next step in your journey. If you're unsure of your options seek professional careers advice and guidance from a qualified careers advisor.
Anne:We can help guide you then through the options to find the one that's right for you, to find the one that will help you in your career course and get you where it is you want to be.
I did better than expected in my exams
Your results may have been better than you expected – well done! Watch this video to see what you can do if you want to re-evaluate your plans.
Anne:If you have performed better than you felt you were going to at GCSE, first off, well done!
Darren:Firstly, celebrate. It's a fantastic achievement.
Anne:Does it make your question your career choices? If it does, there maybe other paths open to you, so explore them and find out whether or not you have options that perhaps previously you had this discounted.
Darren:Please bear in mind, do not contact the school to query it, because any appeal or formal appeal, can make your grade go up or down, so if it's better than you expected accept it and celebrate it.
Finneen:If you receive better GCSE results than you were expecting, then this gives you an opportunity to evaluate the plans that you have for your next step on your journey. Perhaps you had, for example, had envisaged a career in paramedic science and didn't think you would get the GCSE profile required to get into that. If you have got that, then at also opens the doors for you to have a variety of different career options to progress onto.
Anne:Come and research the information, either through our website or a by speaking with a careers adviser.
What else have I not thought of?
There are lots of things to think about when planning your next steps, watch this video to discover a few options you may not have thought about.
Finneen:Students can contact their local further and higher education college, and they can view a wide range of level three courses that offer the equivalent of three A-levels.
Anne:The Prince's Trust is also an organisation which provides training if you are not sure which area of work it is you'd like to take part in.
Darren:Please also remember the apprenticeship route, it sometimes gets the title "earn while you learn", that means that you would get the real life experience out in the workplace, maybe two or three days a week, whilst you are also studying in a more vocational style.
Finneen:Often students who, perhaps, get a good GCSE profile and maybe achieve a D at English or maths, it's crucially important that you come back and do a GCSE repeat maths or English or equivalent essential skills level two to ensure that you have no bother on your path. Your school or your local further and higher education college will offer this to you.
Anne:The further education colleges throughout Northern Ireland can take individuals in at entry level, so below GCSE Level, and work with you right through to higher education levels.
Finneen:If you are a student that has received your GCSE results and is unsure of the next step on the journey, or are slightly confused about your options, then please do seek a careers adviser apartment where they can provide impartial information, advice and guidance and it will enable to make an informed decision.
Anne:There are options for everyone out there.
Darren:Please make sure you talk all your options with your parents. They've been on this journey with you folks and school are well prepared in order to give you careers information, advice and guidance at this stage, so communication is the top thing to do at this stage.
For more awesome advice and top tips for before, during and after results day, check out our results day section of our Exams and Revision page.
If you need support
You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.
If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
There are more links to helpful organisations on the BBC Bitesize Action Line page for young people.
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