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How to Prepare for A-Level Results Day and Beyond!

Results day is a nail-biting time for everyone! Follow our advice to make sure you're ready for whatever it brings. 

Getting Ready for the Big Day

There are a few key things you need to remember: 

●    Your UCAS Track login details 
●    The opening times for your school or college 
●    The contact details for your chosen universities 

If you get the marks you need, you will be accepted at either your first choice or your insurance choice. All of this will show up on the Track System at 8am on results day. Your new university may also leave a few notes on the system to let you know if you need to do anything else at this point. 

You’ll probably be heading down to the pub ASAP on results day(!), but it’s also important to double-check that all of your contact details are up-to-date on your UCAS account. This way, your university can get in touch with you and talk to you about next steps. 

But remember that you won’t be able to view your grades on Track. To find out what your final results are, you will need to physically go to your school or college. If you need help at any point, teachers and support staff will be on hand to offer you advice. The UCAS social media team will be available from 6am too, and their contact centre opens at 7:30am, so they can answer any of your questions. 

Using Adjustment 
What if you do even better than you expected? At this point, you’ll be popping open the prosecco! You may also want to register for the UCAS Adjustment Service. It allows you to apply for courses that you thought were out of your reach because you didn’t expect to do so well in your exams. 

You can register for Adjustment on Track, and you have five days to use it from the moment your conditional offer becomes unconditional. Once you’ve registered, you will need to research the universities you want to apply for yourself, because there are no vacancy lists available. 

Then you can get in touch with your chosen universities to enquire more about their courses. If you’re offered a place, Track will be updated to show that you are going to a different university! If your Adjustment application isn’t successful, don’t worry, you’ll just keep your original choice. 

If you’re not sure about applying for Adjustment, speak with your teachers or the careers service at your college – they can talk you through the process. 

Clearing and Contacting Universities 
If you don’t get the results you need, don’t panic; there are plenty options open to you. If you miss out on the grades you need by a few marks, there is a chance that the university you’re applying to will still accept you onto a course. The best thing to do is call their admissions office directly and ask if you can be granted any leeway. 

Alternatively, you can try Clearing. Chat to your teachers and see if they think it is a sensible option, and check out the Clearing vacancy list online. The list is updated regularly, so you will know which courses are available to you. 

Once you’ve decided on a course, call the relevant universities. If they make you an offer and you’re happy with it, add that University as a ‘Clearing choice’ to your UCAS account. By doing this, you are officially confirming that you are accepting a place at this new university. 

After you’ve got onto a course, it’s time to sort out your accommodation! There is usually a flurry of activity around this time, because those who have gone through Clearing look for different places to live. If you’re searching for a student pad, check out The Student Housing Company’s accommodation options and find your new home today. 

Taking a Year Out 
If you don’t want to go through Clearing, why not take a year out? Choosing the right degree is a big decision, so you don’t want to rush into anything. By putting academia aside for one year, you can do loads of other cool stuff instead. 

You could re-sit a couple of your exams so that you have a shot at getting into your first choice of university. Or you could get some work experience in your chosen industry. Or you could even travel the world. Whatever you decide to do, make sure you’re learning skills that will benefit your future career, and have lots of fun too! 

Starting Student Life 
Whatever results day has in store, it’s the start of a new chapter for you! Find out more about preparing for the big day with The Student Housing Company’s Uni Application Checklist

A Bit About Our Contributor: The Student Housing Company    
The Student Housing Company provides private student halls in cities across the UK and in Dublin, giving you a vibrant, social and comfortable place to stay during your time at university.