A levels 2023 - Results day and beyond

[HereWeGo2023]

Hi all. I thought I’d make a new thread as the countdown one is filling up.
Results day is here and I’m sure we will all value each others support, today and for the next stage of their journeys.

Just posting to say what a lovely bunch of supportive parents you all are. I was on my own when I got my UCAS offer confirmed 15 years ago, drove myself to college to collect the envelope, and whilst it all went well if it had been disappointing it would’ve been much easier if I’d had one of you lovely people looking out for me!

congrats to the dcs celebrating, and best of luck to those who were disappointed xxx

This really moved me too @SlightlyJaded@SlightlyJaded

Your daughter sounds amazing - so resilient and resourceful, you must be immensely proud. I have no doubt she will make a huge success of her next move. Kudos to her.

Oh excellent, I will let her know. She loves a record shop! She will have a blast there. I just told her to give it a few days, once the initial disappointment wears off she will be really excited! She was considering resits or repeating yr13, but she just can’t face it!

I went to uni as a mature student in my early-mid 20s and my experience was very different to many of the under 20s.

I think just think being in an educational environment non-stop for the past 14+ years just made it feel a bit monotonous to them, whereas I couldn’t get enough of learning and never missed a session.

Of course if your child wants to go straight to uni that’s absolutely fine but don’t be disheartened if your child is going to take some time out or needs to do a foundation course or something.

I will definitely be encouraging my DD to have a year out before uni and just work and learn to drive etc as she’s not 100% sure what she wants to do and it’s sometimes nice just having a bit of a break.

Just caught up with the thread. Congrats to all and a virtual hug to those that haven't got the results they wanted or needed.

DS was predicted BBC and got A*, A and B. Initially he was going to go to uni and do computer science. He had an unconditional offer that he accepted ages ago. But then he decided (to my delight) that he wants to go to drama school. So he will be reapplying this year for drama schools and working. I know it's competitive to get in so he's decided if he doesn't get in next year he'll try again the following year. Not sure after that!

So proud of him. He's worked really hard for his results and it's proper paid off.

Thank you for kind words of support. Short update: After disappointing results and rejection from firm& insurance she had to go through clearing. The real disappointment was a C in history when she was predicted A. After a few tears she closed the door and got ringing. Obtained a number of offers and
DD has got a place at Bristol UWE! They were brilliant on the phone and the HOD gave a call back and they had a good discussion. She got an offer/ confirmation email and is now waiting for UCAS to update. We are off to Bristol on Monday for a tour of department and city. Not been to Bristol before. She is really pleased with the course details and it is slightly closer to home - 2hrs. (I'm a bit anxious regarding accommodation though). She has found out that two of friends are going there too which has calmed her nerves.
We went out for a bite to eat and cocktails and laughter! So good to see her smiling. She is now fast asleep. I'm having an early night too - exhausted.
So hopefully by tomorrow it will all be confirmed and we start the hunt for rooms. Again thank you for all the positive supportive comments and hope goes well for those still looking for places or working on plan B.

Lovely news @Lowther, I know quite a few off to UWE this year, enjoy your trip to Bristol.

@Lowther Bristol is lush and of course so close to beautiful Bath. Congrats!

@SlightlyJaded Has your DD tried the University of Kent? DD had a couple of friends who had much lower than predicted grades on A level results day in 2019. One had CDD and the other ADE. The former was offered Econ and management and the latter English and American Literature. Both got excellent degrees and one of them is now working in a fabulous job in Westminster the other is just finishing a masters in HR.

Great news. My son is at Bristol University and says the accommodation near UWE is much more affordable and there are more options. Well done to your girl.

@SlightlyJaded i think a PP said your daughter was considering Liverpool university? I went there (many years ago, I’m in my 30s now!) via clearing and had an AMAZING time. The best uni experience I could have hoped for. The city is gorgeous, very student friendly as there’s so many unis there, cheap, cheerful and friendly with loads to do. Could not recommend more. The uni was very supportive too when I went through a difficult time. Fingers crossed!

Yay @Lowther great news. Kudos to everyone who had the energy to go out and celebrate tonight (I think @troppibambini6 is currently larging it in Manchester?). I'm amazed I'm still awake after the 3am start. I even did some work meetings this afternoon but warned colleagues I was not really in my right mind.

Wonderful news @Lowther

I wish there was a like function.

Just checked Leicester University and there’s a diverse range of courses around the C grade mark. University accommodation is nice and the university experience is great. I think it’s a good option if grades weren’t what you expected and you’re looking for a solid university.

Agreed @LaDeeDa123 one of my nephews is at Leicester and he's really enjoying it. A friend of mine went there years ago and when I visited her I wished I had applied too (although it was too close to where we grew up really).

My heart breaks for all these disappointed DC here BUT
The thing that strikes me is that all of them on here have engaged and supportive parents. There will be plenty of upset and disappointed kids who are trying to deal with it both emotionally and practically on their own

DD2 got into her firm choice of Reading today. She was predicted ABC, and she went with options of Reading BBB(offer BBD) and insurance Chester BCC. She came out with BCC. She was disappointed with the Biology and psychology as she really thought she cracked those, but happy with geography as she thought she would get a E and she got a C. She is very happy that she got her firm, although she would have been very happy with Chester too.
Off to Lancaster next weekend to see DD1 as its the only opportunity both DD will get together before university.

Have you seen this @SlightlyJaded @HenleyHen?

That sounds very disappointing, that is a big drop for her to come to terms with. I think that there are other worse off never helps, that’s always the case. At her age I’d have been gutted. In time she needs to crack on learn from it and use the experience to get high grades at Cardiff.

Exactly @tribpot I’ve heard so much positive stuff about Leicester.

me too @SlightlyJaded for some reason couldn't type without getting a bit teary earlier...

What an horrible, emotional rollercoaster you've both been on. She's a warrior

Finally got DD's marks. She got BBB and got her firm choice. She is one mark off an A for Chemistry. She's never got less than an A. The school have requested the paper so they can check it over.

She's worked so hard and it seems the papers were so harshly marked.

I totally agree. These poor kids. Really tough move to set the boundaries so high.

Hi, @NotDonna

So if I understand correctly, the issue is whether to request a remark in Economics where your DD is one mark off A star?

Congrats to her for liaising with the Admissions Team herself on whether this change would ensure her admission. If it won’t, a remark would be for personal satisfaction or for use in next year’s applications.

It is very unlikely to go from one mark off A star down to B but once in a blue moon it does happen. I am in STEM, where it is usually because a marker has failed to catch a glaring error. So the swing is usually about one or two big marking errors rather than an accumulation of small lucky breaks, IYSWIM.

I mention this because if the Economics paper is somewhat mathematical, a teacher may be able to go over it and look for missed mistakes. But I have the impression that AL Economics may be less mathematical and more essay based, is that right? I suppose to some extent it would still be possible to do this (check for missed errors of fact).

Then it’s a question of your DD’s appetite for risk vs her growing enthusiasm for her Ins choice. A tough call IMO. If she decides to go ahead, then depending on how long priority remarks take she might want to consider submitting papers selectively as mentioned by PPs upthread. Best wishes to her