Are you on a rollercoaster of emotions today after getting your A-level results? You might be pleased with your results, you might be disappointed, or a whole raft of other emotions when thinking about your future.
What to do after A-levels can feel challenging, but it doesn’t need to be that way.
I know that making the right choices after A Level results might feel difficult, but there are ways to take control and reduce the stress.
As a counsellor and hypnotherapist, I have helped lots of people around exam time, so let me highlight some things that will help. As a person who has studied a lot myself, I also know the pressure you have been under.
1. Acknowledge the hard work.
Only you know how hard you have worked for these exams. Even if you didn’t do as much studying as you would have liked to do, you still sat the exams and worked on giving the best answers that you could to help yourself in the future.
So remember the work you put into this time of your life, and if you can learn from it.
2. Exams don’t define you or guarantee the future you want
Stop telling yourself that you aren’t good enough, because exam results won’t be the only things that shape your life.
If you haven’t achieved the desired results, consider retaking the exam and exploring other options.
Furthermore, even if you had obtained the results you wanted, that may not have shaped the future you wanted.
3. Think about the next steps after the exam rather than festering over the results
Coping with the results will feel better as time goes on.
Look at your options and talk with trusted people, like a counsellor, to help yourself understand how you are feeling.
Understanding your feelings on results day
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed on the results day, as you have built up to this moment for many months.
Some people feel joy, while others feel disappointment. Whatever your emotions are, it’s essential to stay calm and give yourself some time to reflect, knowing that you are okay.
One of my biggest tips from the clients I have seen over the years is to take some time to pause especially if you are upset on your results day.
Where are you now?
Its time to take stock now.
It doesn’t matter about other people and the marks that they got. You are not in competition with them, rathe ryou are gaining something for yourself.
How about sitting quiety somewhere and reflecting on your exams and results compared to your expectations.
Did you give yourself too hight expectations?
Were other people involved in expecting too much from you?
Now assess your strengths and skills beyound grades. What are you good at? What have you already achieved in your life? What are you best attributes? Think about the good things that your best friend might say about you.
Planning your future is about self awareness and self assessment before making future plans.
So what might the next steps be for you now?
Exploring your options
There are four main options that you could take for the future.
- University path. Now I’m no expert at university placements but there are a lot of universities to choose from including online options. There is clearing, adjustments, gap year entry and defering a place. Talk to the univerities or your teacheres to find out more. Remember to enquire about funding.
- Apprentiships and vocational routes. Many people prefer to learn on the job because thay are more practical or they want to get paid while working. Find out how they work and what opportunities are available.
- Work and internships. You might choose to work in a job that is a stepping stone to the career that you want. Working will gain you real world experience before deciding to study again.
- Gap year and travelling. You don’t need to make your lif’s career choices now. Some people have enought money or a plan to travel and get experience of the world before settling down in their career. You might also be able to do volunteering at home or abroad. You could even have cultural exchanges, teach English in some countries and learn a language.
Decision-making strategies to reduce stress
Coping with results could be easier that you first thought.
To reduce overwhelm, break down big decisisons into managable chunks.
One method that people always tell me helps is by getting a piece of A4 paper and writting down the pros on one side of the sheet and the cons on the other side.
Some people also use mind maps. There are lots of online mind maps that also help you to understand your thoughts and help you to see the full picture.
As a coach, I always think its essential to allign your decisions with your most important values, goals and your long term wants and needs.
You need to avoid rash choices and reduce your stress levels.
When things don’t go to plan
Many people don’t follow a straight academic path. For example, did you know tha that Richard Branson attended public schools and didn’t do very well academically? In fact, he was described as a school dropout.
Branson tried many businesses.Today he is an entrepreneaur and head of the Virgin group.
So you can achieve much more in the future if you keep learning and looking for opportunities.
In the end its resilience that matters more than results.
Reframe your set backs into an opportunity. It might even be the time to consider a different career path.
The role of counselling and hypnotherapy for stress and clarity
Sometimes we all need time and space to talk if something big has happened and we have lots of emotions and decisions to make.
Counselling for exam stress , before and after the exams is not about giving you advice but it is about helping you to explore your emotions, understand them and make better decisions.
There are many different types of counselling. The important thing is to get someone that you feel comfortable with and someone who deals with exam stress and the feelings after the results.
Counselling can help with emotional balance, clarity and building your confidence.
Hypnotherapy is different because you just listen to the hypnotherapist who talks to your subconscious mind; the part of you that is responsible for patterns and emotions.
Hypnotherapy is proven to help with all types of stress and anxiety that get in the way of making the right decisions. It can be very relaxing, although you do not go to sleep.
Hypnotherapy for stress is a bit like day dreaming when you can help yourself to focus on the things you want in life to make them happen.
Hypnotherapy can help in the following ways:
- Hypnotherapy for confidence
- Hypnotherapy for exam nerves
- Hypnotherapy for goal setting
- Hypnotherapy for decision-making
- Hypnotherapy to reduce anxiety
Finally…
There is more than one path to success after A-levels.
Life doesn’t need to feel difficult.
There is lots of help around through schools, career advisers, universities and Government projects.
You should talk to friends and family if you are feeling low.
Alternately, consider a free initial consultation with me to talk about counselling and hypnotherapy and how it might help youj.
For more information visit my website, Awaken the Change and book a 30-minute consultation.
I would love to help.
Linda
