Getting ready for Results Day

It’s safe to say that Results Day 2020 is going to be very different to previous years.

As a year eleven student myself, I understand just how different things are going to be; the polar opposite of the day we expected to have. It’s going to be strange, but we’re all in it together, just as we have been throughout this difficult time. So here is some advice, from one class of 2020 student to another, on how to deal with results day this year.

First of all, the days and weeks leading up to results day. It’s completely understandable that you may be scared and nervous. But there is absolutely nothing you can do at this moment in time to change what will be written on that piece of paper (or in that email). Worrying and stressing about something you can’t control isn’t good for you. And I know it’s easier said than done, because I’m nervous too! But in the run-up to results day, just try not to think about it. Do things you enjoy to take your mind off it. And most importantly, find reassurance in knowing that your teachers will have had your best interests in mind whilst predicting your grades.

Now, when the day finally comes, it’s an unfortunate fact that we won’t experience the usual results day traditions. The excitement of going to collect your results with your friends, opening them with your teachers, hugging people and celebrating when you’ve read what’s inside the envelope. But that does not mean you shouldn’t make it a day to remember.

It’s still a really exciting moment – a milestone in your life. Just because you’re at home reading your results from an email, or waiting until you’re off school premises to open the envelope, it doesn’t make it this day any less important! So have that celebration – have a meal with your family, video call your extended family, meet up with your friends (socially distanced of course). We deserve to still have an enjoyable day.

With every passing results day, there’s always a small chance that the grades you receive weren’t what you expected. When this happens, people tend to either blame themselves or blame other people. Perhaps this year, more than any other, it will be easy to blame your teachers if you’re disappointed with your grades, as they were the ones who predicted them. But it’s so very important to remember that it is no one’s fault. No one could have possibly predicted this pandemic happening. As you will know more than anyone, it has turned our lives upside down. I know that teachers have worked exceptionally hard to ensure these grades are as accurate as possible. And if they’re not what you wanted, it’s not their fault. It’s not your fault either. But do bear in mind that there will be an opportunity to re-sit your exams if you didn’t get the grades you needed.

These results are important, there’s no denying that. But they are not the be all and end all. If you have passion and determination to succeed in life, you will go far no matter what. Always remember that.

Perhaps my most important piece of advice is something that, in usual circumstances, would go without saying. However, this year people may need a little reminder. It’s to be proud. Proud of your results and most importantly proud of yourself.

It’s easy to think that we didn’t work for the results we got since we didn’t do the exams. In reality, this couldn’t be any further from the truth. These grades are based on the years of hard work we did throughout high school. Every mock exam, every revision class, every piece of homework counted towards these results. So don’t for a second think that we got an easy ride, and got these results ‘for free’.

We are the year group that had our last weeks of high school in the middle of a global pandemic. We’ve been there for each other and supported each other through something no one has ever experienced before. And we still got our exam results to set us up for the future. If that isn’t a reason to be proud, I don’t know what is.

Photo: images from results day at Cockburn School in 2017