Immediate and diary: 18 August, 2005
Keep Cool at Exam Results Time
Like it or not, exam results time is fast approaching. Whether your results have been worse, or better, than you expected, a Connexions Personal Adviser will be available to advise you on your options.
On A-level results day, on 18 August, you can talk to a Connexions Personal Adviser at the Connexions Centre on Union Street.
On GCSE results day, 25 August, your Connexions Personal Adviser will be available in your school to provide advice, guidance and support.
Heather Potter, Connexions Education Team Manager, offers the following advice: “The first thing to remember is not to panic or rush into things. Important as exam results are, whatever has happened, you will have options open to you."
GCSE Results
“If you haven’t got the GCSE grades you need to get into 6th form or college the first thing to do is try to talk to teachers or tutors about what is available. If you have only missed out by a couple of grades you may still be OK. If not, there may be other courses available to you.
“If your grades aren’t good enough to start an Advanced (level 3) course in the Autumn you may consider doing an Intermediate (level 2) course, which would last one year and could lead you on to an Advanced course the following year.
“Of course, you may have done better than expected. If you get higher grades than expected you might want to reconsider your options. Perhaps you might want to go on to college or sixth form, or on to an Apprenticeship?"
A-level Results
“The basic advice is the same for A-level results. If you are planning to go to University but your grades are lower than you needed, don’t panic. The first thing to do is contact your first choice institution. It may be that if you have dropped a grade or two they may still be able to offer you a place. It all depends on how popular the course is and how well other applicants have done.
“If your firm offer turns you down, check with your insurance offer. If both turn you down then you can go into the clearing system. All universities alert UCAS about which courses they still have vacancies in. Course vacancies will be listed on www.ucas.com and in The Independent, The Independent on Sunday and Daily Mirror newspapers – they go quickly so you need to act fast! Contact as many universities as you like until you find the course for you."
”These are obviously just the main tips you should bear in mind when waiting for your results. Your Connexions Personal Adviser will be able to give you much more personal, one-to-one advice.
The Connexions Centre on Union Street is open from 9am to 5pm every day, and until 7pm on Thursdays. Pop in or phone for an appointment on 0161 621 9300
Ends
For further information, please contact Andy Swain, Marketing and Information Officer, Positive Steps Oldham, on 0161 621 9321.
