Alternative way to reach for that A
There are few more tense moments i n life than receiving your A-level results. For some, i t is the prelude to a big party, as plans for university or vocational study are realised and expectations achieved. But for others, it can be a profoundly depressing experience. Whether you have missed your grades by a whisker or by a mile, all those plans and ambitions are suddenly tantalisingly out of reach.
But the good news is: while lowerthan-expected grades are a setback, it will be only a temporary one — as long as you react positively and take the correct action.
Give yourself a day or two for the shock to leave your system and then begin to work on a plan. Thousands of students around the country go on to achieve their academic ambitions after an A-level blip and there is always the chance that, with renewed focus and dedication, you will do better second time around than you thought possible the first time.
Marie-Do Reza, principal of the DLD College in central London, has sound advice for those who find themselves in this position. She says: “If you have just missed your target grades, lost your place at university and your world has just collapsed, do not despair: there is a solution.You can indeed retake your exams and improve your results. It can definitely open up new doors and set you on a different path for the future.”
She adds that it is vital not to lower your standards or expectations at this point. “Your A-level grades are your passport to university and will also feature on your CV in any future work application. So don’t be tempted to settle for less and rush to accept a lower offer from a university or course you have never considered before. With fees now commonly set at £9,000 per year, this could be an expensive mistake. You may eventually regret not having given yourself a second chance to achieve your ambitions.”
Rather, you should sit down and work out the best course of action.However, do not enter yourself f or a re-take without a course of study, thinking that the original grades we r e j u s t b a d l u c k . Do this and your grades could be lower the second time around. Ms Reza s a y s : “The reality is that you need the help of expert teachers and an appropriate retake programme to maximise your chances of success. First, you need to understand what went wrong. Do ask for a copy of your script, so that teachers can give you a feedback and you can learn from your mistakes.
“There are many reasons why students do not achieve in exams; it may be a lack of work, poor exam techniques or misunderstanding. You may suffer from anxiety at exam times and so panic when faced with the exam paper; maybe you have been ill and missed key explanations or essential exam practice.
“Whatever the problem, there is a solution and a plan of action that can address your specific issues. This is why at DLD, we interview students so that we can design the best programme according to individual needs.”
The situation is different from a few years ago, when there was the possibility of a quick re-take in January. Now that all exams take place in June, there may be an opportunity to go off and travel for a month or two before regrouping in 2014.
Ms Reza says: “If you have narrowly missed your grades, you do not need to spend the whole year re-doing the course. You probably want to enjoy some time on your gap year and may consider a January or February start.
“However, you need to think carefully about your new UCAS application. Find out who will be responsible for it. Will your former school be happy to help?
“It may be best to join your new college right from the start of the year, at least for a few weeks, so that they can help you with your UCAS application. Universities like to get an up-to-date reference from the college where students are retaking the exams.”
By applying a second time, you will not necessarily be at a disadvantage compared to first-timers, says Ms Reza. “Your determination to improve your grades is a testimony to your increased motivation and you are more likely to be better prepared once you start your university course. You will have honed your study skills and matured further. If you narrowly missed your grades, the key to succ e s s i s t o i m p r o v e yo ur e x a m t e c h n i q u e . But if you performed below par in several subjects, you will need more time to properly develop not only your skills but also your knowledge and understanding of the subjects. A new approach and personalised guidance can have a huge impact on students’ performance. It is not uncommon for students to improve by several grades and the confidence booster and sense of achievement can eliminate the earlier sense of failure and shame. Retaking exams can indeed bring a new perspective on your future potential.”