Exam Results Support
Results Anxiety is completely normal
There’s no doubt about it, waiting for and receiving exam results is a tense and difficult time. With all the uncertainty, expectation and anticipation, come feelings of stress, anxiety and worry.
And these are all perfectly normal (and understandable) emotions to experience.
It’s important to recognise that whatever your exam results are, they do not define you as a person! Nor do they define or predict your future.
It’s easy to give yourself a hard time but try and go easy on yourself - remember whatever you’re feeling right now won’t last forever.
Although it may not feel like it on results day, your future and career is not determined by your grades.
If you’re feeling anxious or nervous waiting for your results, have a read of our blog to help you overcome these feelings:
What can I do if I am struggling?
Sometimes how we feel can start to have a negative impact on our life.
This is where we come in.
At Wellbeing, we’re here to help you and your mental health. Feelings of stress, anxiety or worry are understandable around exam results and we have a range of different support available to help you take back control of how you feel, and your future.
Everything we offer is free of charge, easy to access, confidential and you don’t need to visit your Doctor to get our help.
How we can help you
You could try joining one of our free online workshops. These are one-off sessions presented live by our experts and are full of tips and strategies to help with anxiety, relaxation, sleeping and mindfulness (to mention a few - you can view them all here). Select a date, fill in the short form with your details and email address, and we’ll send you a link to join the workshop of your choice.
We also offer one-to-one therapy. Talking therapies can help you work out how to deal with negative thoughts and feelings and make positive changes. You can refer yourself by completing our online form. We’ll then be in touch within 3 working days to book your first appointment. Find out more in this video.
Once you’re referred to us, our team of Employment Advisers might also be able to help you. They’re here to help with employment advice, finding work and support in creating a CV and interview techniques.
Check out our Podcasts too, where some of our peer support workers share their lived experiences of mental health challenges and recovery.
Tips to reduce feelings of anxiety, stress and worry
Here are some other things you can try, to help alleviate feelings of anxiety, stress and worry during exam results time…..
Listen to our Exam Results Day Podcast
Podcasts are a great way to distract yourself and can be a great way to relax; whether you listen whilst you’re on a mindful walk or you listen as you’re winding down at the end of the day.
This Podcast is about sharing our experiences and the experiences of those in the community not getting the exam results that we expected or wanted, and how we coped with those feelings. It will show you that you are not alone, and that others have been in the exact same position as you and they have felt how you feel now, but ultimately everything turns out okay.
Grounding Technique
Grounding exercises can be helpful in managing overwhelming feelings by helping us to regain our focus and stay in the present moment. Here is a simple exercise you can do to help you feel grounded:
After you’ve got your results
Congratulate yourself no matter the result - a big part of your education has been through extremely challenging circumstances, but you’ve made it to the end, and you should be proud of yourself no matter what.
If your results were better than you expected, you might find new opportunities are now open to you, so take a step back and consider all your options.
If you’re disappointed with your results, you may be able to appeal, resit, or even apply elsewhere through clearing.
As one door closes, another opens - results that aren’t as good as you were expecting doesn’t mean that you’re out of options - there are opportunities out there for everyone.
Either way, allow yourself time to process - whether you’re happy or disappointed with your results it can be easy to get caught up in your emotions.
Be proud of what you have achieved and how far you have come! You’re doing your best and that’s the best you can do.
Useful Resources
Kooth is a free, safe and anonymous online chat and emotional wellbeing service for young people aged 11 to 25. Kooth has a brochure that can support you through the process of waiting for and getting your exam results. You can view the brochure here.
Planning on going to Uni? Check out our blog here, Mental Health & University: Making the most out of Uni life.
The ACE Project supports young people aged 16-24 with mental health difficulties to Achieve, Connect and Enjoy for wellbeing.
The Source offers young people in Suffolk information, advice and support on health, work, training, relationships and more.
SupportLine provides a confidential telephone helpline for children, young people and adults offering emotional support to any individual on any issue.
4YP provides guidance with issues such as emotional wellbeing, housing and benefits, life skills, budgeting and signposting to other services such as legal advice, healthy living, and volunteering.
The Mix offers support to anyone under 25 about anything that’s troubling them.
InvestinSuffolk has lots fantastic opportunities for employment for young people across a range of industry sectors.