What happens now?

It's the day you've been waiting for all summer- Results Day. 

Whether you got your grades or not, finding out what you're doing next year can be daunting. 

Despite having received good grades and a place at Durham University, results day was probably when my life started going downhill. Here are my tips for how to cope in the weeks/months after results day: 

If you didn't get into uni- 

You're probably feeling pretty rubbish right now, so there's no point in me trying to tell you that "everything will be okay".  But just try to look at the bigger picture. If you've got to reapply for next year, in the grand scheme of things, taking one year off is nothing. In this year, you can earn money, go travelling, increase in confidence, as well as make sure that you definitely want to do the course you've chosen. It may seem like the end of the world right now, but in a few years time you might be glad that you took some time off and had a break from studying. 

If you're off to uni in September- 

For some of you, this may be the most exciting thing that's ever happened to you. Maybe you just cannot wait to leave home and start your new life at uni. But for others, you might be feeling pretty scared now that this is actually happening. Like, you're actually moving away in a few weeks. If this is you, then today might feel like a massive anti-climax. 

But what can you do about it?

Remember it's completely natural to be nervous about going away.  It's important to try and work out whether you're just a bit worried, or whether you're actually not ready to go to university yet.  

Talk to someone about how you feel: don't just keep quiet and get on with it. 

Think about the possibility of taking a year off and going next year. It's honestly not too late, even though it may seem like it. Pulling out now is not a failure, it's actually pretty brave. 

Work out what you're worried about, then think about what you can do to overcome it. 

Try and enjoy the rest of your summer with family and friends. 

Hopefully some of the points above have been a little helpful. If you just take one thing away from this though, please let it be that you shouldn't go to university if you don't feel ready. A year off could be the making of you. 

(Thumbpress.com)

Harriet x