It's the time of year when exam results come out, with Highers, A-levels all out.
For many people it will be the happy end to months of hard work, but for some it won't be so positive.
I never forget the emotional rollercoaster I was on during the time my results came out. I too like all was really concerned about that single sheet of paper which held my future. Looking back to that situation now, I often laugh at how I reacted. Merely results don't decide your career path and in my case luckily all went well.
But for those who didn't get the grades you were predicted or wanted, there's lots you can do.
Below are some tips that can help you..
1. Find someone to talk through your options with
"If your chosen pathway isn't now possible. Find somebody to discuss your options with - like getting a re-mark or a retake or alternative courses, checking offers criteria if you're applying for universities.
"People will straight away want to know what you got, your friends and your family. You can try to be honest and be upfront.
"What would really impress them is if you say, 'OK, I didn't get the results that I wanted and I can't deny I'm disappointed but now I've decided I'm going to do x and y instead.'"
2. Move on - they're just grades
"Never forget that they're just grades. In a few year's time they'll probably be long forgotten. So stay focused on the most important aspects of your life.
"Take time to relax and unwind from it all. I think we all need to remember that school is really important, but not at the cost of your mental health.
"Keep yourself around people that can allow you to relax but do ask for help if you need it. Everyone does need help from time to time."
3. What can I learn from this?
People commonly attribute academic success to internal causes like ability, and academic disappointment to external causes like task difficulty or bad luck. Internal attributions are important because they encourage you to take responsibility for change.
For example, if you are disappointed with your results for external reasons, like being marked too hard, the questions being too difficult or bad luck, these attributions may make you feel better in the short-term but don’t help you plan to do better in the future.
But reflecting on factors within your control like study preparation and motivation (internal attributions) helps you consider your strengths and weaknesses and how to learn from this experience in the future.
4. Let your parents know they can support you
In the face of a disappointing outcome, it can be difficult for parents to know the best way to help.
Let your parents know you need their support and understanding, and that well-meaning anecdotes and stories of how others triumphed over similar setbacks may be helpful down the track but not right now.
Similarly, let them know that attempts to downplay your results by minimising them or dismissing them as ‘nothing to worry about’ are also unhelpful.
Instead, ask them to listen to what the results mean to you, and help you plan your next step.
Don't bog down kids, let these results be an opportunity for introspection rather than critism.
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