For everyone who has received their A level or GCSE results over the last couple of weeks student writer Priya has some advice if you didn’t quite achieve the grades that you expected. 

So the summer holidays have raced by and A level and GCSE results days have been and gone.

You may have been trying to put results day out of your mind. It can cast a big shadow over what otherwise can be a carefree and relaxing few months. Inevitably it will be smiles for some and for others disappointment.

So… what should you do if you’re in the unfortunate position of not achieving the results you expected.

Don’t panic about your grades

First things first – DO NOT PANIC.  Remember to stay calm and keep a cool head. This will give you the best chance of making good and solid decisions. I know it is easier said than done but trust me this is the best thing for you.

Not receiving the grades you hoped you’d get can be the most devastating feeling in the world, trust me – I’ve been there and whilst I cant promise you that you’ll wake up feeling fantastic the next morning or even in a months time I can tell you that there’s always a back up plan and the back up plan normally sorts you out!

Don’t clam up

It is a very human response to crawl into your shell when things don’t go to plan. Self-criticism can be super destructive and because of this it can be important to talk to someone about how you are feeling. Everybody has their bad days and no one will look at you any differently whatever grades you achieve. If you are not able to talk to your parents or carers then think about talking to one of your close relatives or friends, even a careers adviser is a good person to talk to who can always offer some friendly advice.

UCAS also offers lots of advice on their website: https://www.ucas.com/contact-us

Consider your Plan B

Right. So we’ve established that your initial plan hasn’t quite worked out. Super frustrating. Lets not waste time though, lets think about your plan B….

Even if you’re not completely set on another option or even if you only have a super vague idea of what you want to do, now would be a fantastic time to look into alternative options.

If you’ve not done as well in your GCSEs in a subject that you planned taking at A level then you could always reconsider what you are good at and take the subjects you’re obviously enjoying and progressing in.

If you’ve missed out on grades that are essential to get into your firm or insurance choice universities then think about going through Clearing. Remember Clearing isn’t the only option for students who have got different grades than they were predicted, sometimes if you’ve done better and you want to see if you can switch university – there are some really good courses available via Adjustment too.

Yes it can be hard receiving disappointing grades especially after you’ve worked so hard for them, but trust me you’ll be able to get past it. Missing your grades doesn’t mean that you’re a failure and doesn’t mean you won’t ever be able to achieve and have a great career. Look for the silver lining and soon with some courage, determination and a positive outlook you’ll still be on track to a bright and fulfilling future!

A word from the writer:

Hi my name is Priya! I study Biochemical Engineering – My area of expertise is in Bioprocessing of New Medicine with Business and Management. I am currently a 2^nd Dan Black Belt ITF Tae-kwon-do Instructor. I like to regularly train at UCL but also love to teach at my local club.

The past four years have flown by in a blink of an eye and now I’m left with the ultimate question of what I should do next.

Pharmacology is a broad subject meaning that there are a number of routes which I could pursue (read more about why I chose to study Pharmacology here). These range from roles both within science (e.g. scientific research in pharmaceutical companies, hospitals or academic institutions) and outside of science (e.g. finance, law or journalism). There is also the option of further postgraduate study in the form of graduate-entry degrees such as medicine or PhDs.

UCL Careers

Firstly, before exploring my possible options, I thought about the type of person I am and what work may suit me best. To find out more about my own strengths and weaknesses, I conducted personality profiling using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) profiling tool in addition to general self-reflection about my own skills and values.

Following the identification of personality traits which I could use in various roles, I searched for opportunities which fit my current skillset and match with what I hope to learn whilst working.

To help me to decide what to do next UCL offers a careers service to help plan each step of the way.

The types of opportunities I explored varied from short-term/long-term internships and placements to part-time and full-time graduate jobs. Moreover, I looked for research-based opportunities such as research assistant positions and PhD-studentships which each have a different project focus; whether it be human-based, animal-based or computational to name a few.

Preparing my CV

Once I had found a handful of suitable opportunities, I prepared for the different components of the application process which varied depending on the role. However, the one document I needed for every application was a curriculum vitae (CV) which is a written summary of your academic and professional experience and other achievements.

Additionally, many non-research based roles and PhDs require a cover letter and personal statement respectively, to expand further on why you would like to apply for the role and why you would be the best candidate.

If you are successful during the online stage of the application process, many employers will invite you for an interview whether it be face-to-face, over the phone or through Skype. Another form of assessment which can follow on from an interview is an assessment centre which predominantly examines how you work in a group in different scenarios or when working through various case studies.

Careers fairs

Something I personally found quite useful was to attend the Life and Health Sciences Fair at The Frances Crick Institute as part of the UCL Careers service organised Sector Themed Careers Week.

I had the chance to meet and network with several organisations to gain a better insight into what they can offer a future employee and what they look for in a potential applicant.

I also had the chance to speak to current employees to receive their honest and open opinion of what it is like to work for their particular company and to ask for any tips they could give me regarding the application process.

While it should be taken into consideration that different job roles have different requirements, this post gives a general outline of some aspects you may expect to experience as part of the career planning and job-hunting processes. Further information about the UCL Careers service is available online.

A word on the writer

I’m Nikita, a fourth year undergraduate on the Pharmacology MSci course here at UCL. I’m from London and currently undertaking a Master’s project at the Centre for Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics. I’m a Student Ambassador and Senior Transition Mentor and these roles allow me to interact with more prospective and current students at UCL. Outside of my academic studies, I like to cook and bake, go travelling and have a keen eye for photography. I’m always open to exploring and trying out new things!

Hanna, a soon-to-be third year in Biochemistry, tells us why it is good to do a summer internship whilst at university. 

Deciding on what kind of job you want to have when you leave university is always a difficult question to answer. That is why many students, like myself, apply for internships during the summer to figure out what they do and do not enjoy. As part of the Laidlaw Scholarship that I was awarded in my first year I had two opportunities to spend six weeks in a lab across two summers. As a science student, this invaluable opportunity allowed me to put into practice what I routinely learn in my lectures, as well as giving me an excellent insight into further education and future career prospects.

After all, you cannot know if you like something if you do not try it first! (more…)

Hanna, a second year student in Biochemistry, tells us about discovering all of the wonderful things being at university can give you on top of your degree. 

‘Go to university and get a degree, so you can get a good job.’ It was a sentiment that my parents drilled into me whilst I was growing up in Brighton. I was never made aware of how much you learn at university besides your degree! Whilst the main aim is to graduate, it is naïve to think that a degree is the only thing you can get out of the time you spend at university. Quite frankly, the more you get out of it; the better the value for money!

(more…)