By KLTV Newsdesk –

Helping students navigate disappointment and uncertainty

A-level results day is often a time of celebration, but for some students, the day can bring panic, confusion and disappointment when their grades fall short of expectations.

For parents, this can mean helping their children navigate the pressure of deciding what to do next. Knowing how best to offer support and guidance can be crucial during what can be an emotional and uncertain time.

Dr Richard Anderson, Director of Learning at online training provider, High Speed Training, has shared advice for parents whose children have not achieved the results they were hoping for.

Dr Anderson said: “Whatever results students are faced with, remembering that each individual has experienced their own, personal journey to get there is vital.

“Remind them of the obstacles they’ve overcome to get to this point – it’s a credit to their work ethic in such challenging times.

“For students who haven’t done as well as expected, they’re going to be feeling a whole mixture of emotions, including disappointment and panic.

“It’s important to remind them that they did their best, which is only something to be proud of – these results won’t be the sole determinant of their future success.

“Avoid asking questions like ‘why didn’t you revise harder?’ or focusing on subjects they underperformed in.

“If they’re already disappointed in their performance, these questions will only serve to undermine their self-confidence and make them feel worse.”

Consider the career path your child wants to take

Receiving unexpected results can leave students believing that their plans for university or a particular career are no longer possible.

However, Dr Anderson says parents should help them reassess their options before assuming their ambitions are out of reach.

Dr Anderson explains: “Many students will be under the impression that not receiving their desired results means they can’t pursue the career path they had in mind – it’s important to reassess and rationalise these thoughts.

“It may be that their chosen university will still accept students who speak to them directly, whether on their preferred course or a similar course that they can later transfer from.

“Alternatively, there are many other routes to go down, including clearing, apprenticeships and internships to reach their goal.”

He added: “There isn’t one linear process that every student needs to follow. By reminding yourself and your child of this, you open up a much wider variety of possibilities for them to explore.”

Don’t rush into decisions

While students and parents may feel pressure to make immediate decisions following disappointing results, Dr Anderson recommends taking time to process what has happened before deciding on the next step.

Dr Anderson said: “In the unfortunate case that your child doesn’t receive the results they need, take time to let feelings and emotions die down so that you’re both able to see the bigger picture. There’s no immediate rush to make a decision, regardless of the outcome you’ve been faced with.

“Your child’s educational support system will already provide a network of people available to consult with on what the next step should be – these people are trained and knowledgeable in this specific field so it’s really important to utilise them.

“Trained careers advisors can also help your child by providing a personalised plan of action based on the career path they have in mind.”*

A-level results are not the end of the road

For students who do not receive the grades they hoped for, results day can initially feel like a setback. However, there are a range of alternative routes into higher education, training and employment.

Parents can play an important role by offering reassurance, avoiding criticism and helping their children explore the options available to them.

Rather than seeing unexpected results as the end of their plans, students can use the support around them to identify a different route towards their long-term ambitions.