Students up and down the country will be pacing about nervously today, ahead of receiving their A-level results on Thursday.
When we asked our readers to share their stories, themes consistently emerged. We heard a myriad anxieties over grades and the cost of going to university, plus teenagers trying to get through their exams amid struggles with their mental health and family breakdowns.
Below are six stories from students who will be picking up their results tomorrow.
‘I hope my results can serve as a ticket to a better place’
A-levels taken: English Literature, Government and Politics, Creative Writing
I attended a very poor sixth form college in London, which has now closed down. The two years I spent there were plagued by gang-related violence among fellow students, discontinuity of teaching, and a general lack of resources. Despite this, I persevered there as no other local college offered my subjects.
I felt very let down by my teachers for their failure to notice the flaws in my exam technique, and in my second year have been essentially teaching myself, refining my exam skills using tips from the internet. I have been determined to achieve the grades which I know reflect my ability, but the disruptive classes and poor teaching have inhibited my progress. Attending classes became an ordeal, and I learnt everything by reading at home. It was a lonely process.
It goes without saying that the results day on Thursday is an important day for me. I hope my results can serve as a ticket to a better place, but I will always be mindful of those students I encountered at my sixth form college: despondent, with an underlying belief that the academic system cannot provide anything for them. The divides in society are becoming greater, and I strongly believe that more access to good quality education in deprived areas would help to address this.
I have heard many people bemoan the rising number of university students - some people argue that too many new undergraduates aren’t really good enough for university. I disagree. I view accessible tuition as a path to generational change; if my guardian had not been able to study with the Open University, she would not have encouraged me to take A-levels and strive academically. My college is now entirely vocational, and university has for many young people become too expensive to aspire to.
James Antonio, London
‘The maintenance grants being cut have really hit hard’
A-levels taken: History, History of Art, English Literature
The maintenance grants being cut this year has really hit hard - it’s sad because it’s a cut that only affects the poorest. Aren’t the poorest the group that should be most encouraged to go to university? After all, it’s the most likely way for them to move up the social ladder, and social mobility is a key goal for the government, right? Okay, more apprenticeships are being created but do your hear of kids with affluent parents ever being encouraged to take a path like that?
Out of all the costs for university, I’m most concerned about living costs because the maintenance loan is only enough for me to survive since I’ll be having no support from my parents. Whereas, other students will have money to join a number of societies and sports teams and do various things to make the most of university life. The loan is also sent to my account at a point after I have actually started university, so for the first few weeks at university I’ll have to fund myself with money I’ve saved up from working for the past year (which may have had a negative affect on my grades). I’ll also have to pay my accommodation deposit and possibly the first month’s rent myself. There is no information about any of this yet. The future looks uncertain and I really hope money issues won’t interfere with the successful completion of my degree.
Imani Ali, London
‘I just want everything to be perfect’
A-levels taken: English Literature, German, Chemistry plus Biology at AS
It feels like I’m going to miss out on my dream because of factors beyond my control, and so will the rest of my class, so results day terrifies me. I know I’ll have just as good an experience if I go to my insurance university, but I only have one chance to go, given how much it costs, and only one chance to live the student life at 18-21: I just want everything to be perfect. I can’t stop worrying and it feels like nobody cares because theoretically, we all get an equal chance. But one thing I have learned from Chemistry: the theory doesn’t always match up with the practical experiment.
Going to university is also really bittersweet for me because it’s been a really rough couple of years. I’ve had a lot of trouble at home and also with depression. My mum’s downsizing, and everything has to come with me to university, be stored in my grandmother’s attic or get chucked out. I always knew and planned on leaving London but it’s much more final now: there will be no real home there for me to return to, since my mother’s moving to a boat that barely fits one.
I have no idea what my address will be once my accommodation at university runs out, and no idea where I’ll spend Christmas. I’m glad to be going to university, but also upset that I’m losing my home because of it: part of why my mum’s moving is because once I leave sixth form, she won’t be able to afford to keep our - or any - flat.
Jasmine Ketch-Neumann, London
‘I may collide with the A-level barrier’
A-levels taken: Maths, Biology, Chemistry, French, Critical Thinking
During my first half-term break at college, I spent a week shadowing several doctors in a hospital. I was instantly hooked; everything I saw fascinated me. Since that week, I’ve been determined to secure a place to study Medicine at university.
Anyone who has ever applied to study it will know how much work is required. Not only do you need to maintain your high grades in the classroom, it’s also essential to fill your free time with volunteering and various clinical placements – not to mention the arduous task of revising for the UKCAT and BMAT exams.
Thankfully, having worked tirelessly for the last two years (including the summer holidays which I spent working at a university), I was lucky enough to receive two offers for Medicine - both contingent on me getting three A grades, including an A in Chemistry and an A in Biology.
I’m waiting to overcome the last hurdle. This hurdle may be a tricky one, though. I may collide painfully with the impenetrable A-Level barrier and then break several limbs upon impact with ‘UCAS clearing’, forcing me to wait another year for a second attempt.
I may even end up in hospital.
At least I’ll get some more clinical experience while I’m there. That will be useful for my personal statement next year ...
Tom Brisk, Oldham
‘I’ve been waiting for this since I was 18’
A-levels taken: English, French and German
I started my A-levels at 22 after a period of illness in my teenage years and working full time for a while. It was only when I was 21 I discovered my passion for languages, so I decided to get back into education to pursue it. I feel much more pressure now than when I had my GCSE results at 16 as I feel at my age I’ve taken more of a risk. I feel that if you mess up as a teenager you have plenty of time for a “do-over”, but this is my only chance.
Add in the fact I’ll be the first in my family to go to university the pressure is really on. I also can’t really afford another year to try again, I had to drastically cut my hours in work to have the time for college and currently wouldn’t be looking to graduate until I’m 28 as it is.
Both my firm and insurance university choices are Russell Group with AAB-ABB grade requirements, I think it’s just nerves but I’m really doubting myself. I did French in school so I have an academic background in it, but with German I was entirely self taught before starting my A-Levels and it was quite hard to adjust. There are some advantages though, while I didn’t focus a lot on grammar and accuracy when teaching myself (which examiners obviously look for!) I spent a lot of time speaking with German natives, which made me much more comfortable and confident in the language than my younger classmates.
It’s also been interesting to see how my priorities have changed since I was 16; back then I received 2 B’s in my English GCSE’s, but for my English A-Level I’m strongly predicted an A*. A part of me is kicking myself for not doing better back then!
Deep down I think I’ll be okay come Thursday. If I drop a grade I’ll probably still get in anyway - the advantages of “life experience”. While it’s been two years of hard work, really I feel I’ve been waiting for this since I was 18 when I saw all my friends leave for uni. It’s been six years in the making, so no wonder I’m so nervous.
Jenna-Mae Price, 24, North Wales
‘I’ve never felt so invested and I’ve never worked so hard’
A-level taken: Biology
I’m 33 and a full time mum to an energetic two-year old. Last September I began studying independently (via the National Extension College) for A-level biology. In June I sat the final exams at a local high school after nine months of naptime and bedtime study sessions. It’s been exhausting. But, whatever the outcome, it’s been one of the best things I’ve ever done.
The subject was fascinating and my understanding of the living world has shifted perspective. I want to learn more, but perhaps next time under less time pressure.
My offer to study midwifery at university is conditional on achieving a B. I hope I’ve done enough. Everyone in my acquaintance knows about my A level. They’ve had constant updates about my home experiments, coursework and the struggle to revise while tending to a poorly toddler. A grade announcement is now expected, and I fear delivering an anti-climax to the saga. I guess a dose of humility is good for the soul.
But I have to get the grade. I’ve never felt so invested, I’ve never worked so hard. The last few months have also included forward planning: setting up childcare arrangements, retrieving references (before my previous employers forget who I am), and making the bursary application. This is the last year of funded places, so there is a sense of urgency in securing my place on the course. I can’t afford childcare without the financial assistance set to be revoked next year.
I spent the entirety of my 20s feeling directionless and indecisive. Motherhood has sharpened my focus. I now know what I want to do and who I want to be. Achieving this A level is the first step in proving to myself I can put a pin on a map and reach it.
Tabetha Scott, Hertfordshire.
