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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

Son (18) Distraught Over Results

380 replies

annelovesthebeach1975 · 18/08/2022 16:29

Hello everyone! I have been a longtime lurker of mumsnet for years now but today I have felt the need to finally make an account and post here, as my house has been plunged into chaos by the dreaded A Level results day. As the title says, my son has been absolutely distraught all day over the fact that his a level results were not what he wanted, and he got rejected by his dream uni, Newcastle University, and also his insurance choice, Birmingham. Although he only wanted to go to Newcastle so he doesn't really care about that. He received BCD although his predicted was AAB so obviously everyone was quite disappointed, but my son has taken it absolutely horrifically and it is breaking my heart. For some backstory, from when my son started lower sixth, his teachers helped students start looking for unis and courses during free periods at least once a week. From when my son began researching unis, he's only ever wanted to go to Newcastle University. When we went to the open day last year after he got his conditional offer he was hooked even further. He even knew what accomodation he wanted. He's a smart boy so I wasnt too worried about him getting in. However, after some of his exams he seemed quite unsure of himself, saying he didn't feel like he did a good job. I assumed this was just him overthinking it but now I believe the fact he didn't actually sit his GCSEs because of covid has had a negative effect on him since these were his first 'real exams.' He has been on the phone to clearing all day basically pleading for a biomed place at Newcastle and he has emailed them directly as well, although biomed and many other science courses are not clearing and his grades are much lower than the entry requirements so it has made things very difficult. I am putting on a brave face for him but on the inside I am heartbroken. This summer all he has talked about is what he's going to do when he goes to Newcastle, how excited he is, and how he's so excited for freshers week in newcastle. His eyes are red raw from crying in his room between contacting Newcastle over and over. He is not usually an emotional lad so this is very upsetting for me. I have contacted his sixth form for advice and they basically told me there is basically no chance he will find a biomed place at Newcastle with his grades, which were a shock to his teachers as they all thought he would breeze through his exams. It is looking like he will have to resit his a levels which while it is not the end of the world, it feels like it for my son when all his mates got into their unis, some Newcastle, and will be starting there next month. I am just looking for any advice on how to comfort him because I want him to know that I am there for him, and if there's any way I can get him a place at Newcastle on a science course that is biomed or similar.

OP posts:
2chocolateoranges · 20/08/2023 16:58

Some people go from A-Z whereas others have to go A-B-C before they get to Z.

ds’s friend didn’t do aswell in his school exams as expected he did a college course which then gave him access to the uni course he wanted to do, so he still went to the uni of choice but 2 years after his friends.

a girl I know failed maths which she needed to do Primary teaching, she did an HNC and then sat her maths exam at night school passing it enabling her to get to uni the next year.

Dds English teacher had to resit her higher English before she could do her uni course.

Fairydustandsparklylights · 20/08/2023 19:25

Op… I just came across the post. Did he get his place at Newcastle this year?

Hendo1975 · 20/08/2023 19:41

My son did not get the A level grades he needs to get into uni. Whereabouts can you resit them as his 6th form school doesn’t allow. (Tyne&Wear)

WayDownInTheHole · 20/08/2023 19:48

Hendo1975 · 20/08/2023 19:41

My son did not get the A level grades he needs to get into uni. Whereabouts can you resit them as his 6th form school doesn’t allow. (Tyne&Wear)

Local sixth form college?

TizerorFizz · 20/08/2023 21:09

That’s sometimes an issue. Would be here as FE has very limited A levels. I would maybe go and do a BTec ? Or look for level 3 apprenticeship.

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