A-Level Results day.

The unexpected.

Like many years, but this one especially, results day is a day that brings about a lot of fear, anxiety and stress amongst many students. I for one remember this exact feeling on August 13th 2016, the day I received my results. As you can imagine things did not go according to plan. I was away on a trip in the states (doing Camp America) when I received my email. I slowly opened it one hand in my eyes, the other hovering on the link. When I opened my eyes, I saw grades lower than I had expected or hoped to see. I remember crying and feeling low for the first few hours, basing my worth and entire existence around the letters I was seeing on the screen, sounds dramatic but true. I had put so much on my grades that I had never considered what would happen if I open them and did not see all A's. I cried for a little while longer, while struggling to connect to my family because of time zones, the pay card running out of money and the laptop reception dying every half an hour.

Eventually, after crying for a few hours, I sprang into action. I began calling my university of choice, Oxford University, and explained what had happened and plead my case, explaining that I really wanted them to give me a chance despite missing my grade offer. The conversations went on for a while and they told me they would get back to me. After a few hours, or what felt to me like 10 years, I received a telephone call confirming that the tutors and admissions team at Lady Margaret Hall had accepted me to study Classical Archaeology and Ancient History on the Foundation Year. They decided to give me a chance despite missing my offer because I had a real promise of potential and ability. And thus, my journey at the University of Oxford began.

I am confident that my results day story resonates with many students across the nation, the worry of feeling like a failure, disappointing your family or getting rejected from your dream university. These are all feelings that go through our minds as we build up to that moment of opening that email or UCAS portal. I am here to tell you all that you should NOT worry and that you have to remain positive. Life does not always go according to plan and sometimes the best moments come from this. The results you will receive will help you in your next steps in life BUT do NOT define you or give a concrete answer regarding the trajectory of your life. You MUST be proud of yourselves regardless of what you see on that screen, whether its A* or a C grade, you have done an OUTSTANDING job. You have managed to get through this global health crisis, keep your head above water and make it through, that within itself deserves an award.

Also, please remember that universities understand what has been happening in the world and are doing their best to ensure they help students who have worked hard to apply for their universities, so please do not be afraid to send emails, make phone calls and look through clearing apps and websites on the day. The world will understand if you have only received predicted grades, or the fact that you have been awarded results for exams you may not have sat. Make sure you take the time to see what all of your options are and have them on hand on the day. No matter what the results are tomorrow, please remain positive, proactive and seek help from those around you (teachers, sibblings, friends and university forums). And most importantly, remember to be proud of yourselves for even making it this far.

Whatever your goals are or plans for the future, you will get there regardless! There are many paths in life such as university, apprenticeships, internships and many more and no matter what happens you will end up exactly where you NEED to be. You will find a way and any form of 'rejection' that you may face in the next few weeks, or years, is simply redirection and a chance for you to try again. Remember to stay motivated even when people tell you your goals are unattainable!!

I must note that my heart is broken for the students of 2020 because they have been somewhat robbed of the chance to prove themselves and apply the knowledge they have acquired over the years. Moments like these remind me how important it is now more than ever to fight for equality, access and more care for mitigating circumstances within higher education.

Also, please remember to turn to places like LinkedIn and other forms of social media for opportunities, building relationships and having meaningful conversations. about the things occurring in the world.

YOU are amazing, YOU have got this and YOU are going to be ok, no matter what happens.

This article was written as part of the LinkedIn #Changemakers partnership – a 12-month campaign shining a spotlight on individuals who are using LinkedIn to drive genuine change in the world of work. To find out more about the partnership, read more here: https://blog.linkedin.com/2020/may/10/follow-the-changemakers-driving-change-in-the-world-of-work