In British culture one of the most important days in an ambitious young person’s calendar is A Level Results Day! If you or someone you know doesn’t get the results they were hoping for on Thursday, it’s not the end of the world. There are always options at every crossroads and the key is to be calm, take stock and plan your next moves strategically.
This year is different! Due to Covid-19 no exams could take place in 2020. It is apparent that students this year will have their grades calculated from information supplied by their place of education. This will be a combination of centre assessment grade and the rank order position of the student.
Students will be ranked from best to worst and grades allocated accordingly. The risks around this are huge. Unconscious bias has been weaved out of most sectors now but not when it comes to academic assessment. Furthermore, only last week there was a large outcry in Scotland when it transpired that those from less wealthy schools would be allocated lower grades regardless of performance because of historic data of the overall performance of that school.
It’s fair to say that this year is going to throw up some anomalies in terms of results.
If you or someone you know doesn’t get the results they were hoping for on Thursday, it’s not the end of the world. There are always options at every crossroads and the key is to be calm, take stock and plan your next moves strategically.
Here are our top 3 tips on what to do should the results not go your way and you want to win the Clearing process:
Have your Clearing number ready with a good professional personal statement and your list of questions that you want to ask the University. Questions can include areas of clarity around course availability, course content, methods of teaching,location, accommodation costs and fees.
Ensure you have to hand the reason why you would want to study that course, remember, you want them to be as positive about securing you as you want to be about securing the course.
You will usually be given a window of opportunity to reflect on your discussion. Take your time to consider your options fully and don’t feel rushed into making a decision. This is a big moment and whichever route you go down you can make it a huge success for you but it’s still worth making sure emotions are not in control of the decision making process. It is completely fine to tell the university you want to take some time to get some advice, speak with friends and family and get back to them. They will be completely okay with this.
Remember, covid-19 has changed the landscape for many. It is highly likely that universities will struggle financially through losing many of their cash cow international students. They will be scrambling to secure additional candidates. Don’t be pressured into signing on the dotted line, don’t settle. You’ve just had a setback with your results but remember who you are and what you want to achieve long term and stick to your guns.
Finally, remember this key message:
Careerships understands this is a very stressful time for those that are impacted by the covid-19 pandemic.
Follow us on social media, tag 5 of your friends in the comment section, and share this post by the end of the day on Saturday 15th August 2020 and 3 people will be chosen at random and be given a completely free professional personalised CV and a one-to-one 1 hour coaching session via Zoom to help them plan through their next steps. Winners will be chosen on Saturday 15th August 2020.
All the best,
Richard Edge
CEO & Career Coach | Careerships
Book in via info@careerships.com for a free 30-minute Zoom call to learn how we’ll clear your path to success.
Careerships help professionals across 31 countries make substantial changes in their careers and lives.
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