A level results day 2024

[Happyface246]

How’s everyone else feeling about results day? I’ve got one at uni already and 2nd dd hoping to go to Kent in September. She seems ok about it at the moment although think that will change as it gets closer. Me I’m so keeping my fingers crossed she gets what she wants, I know there will always be other options but she loved the open day. Going to struggle with this one going though as it has been a real journey to get to where she is.

Well my ds was predicted ccd. It demoralised him completely, to the extent that he refused to put in a ucas application. Got a bcc, said meh, I’m done with academics. He’s spent all of today phoning around looking for ways in to get his commercial pilots license ( first I’ve heard of it!) Anyway he has an interview, wtf !!!!!! Just how? I tried to ask, but was glared out of the room.
They really are young independent adults…
We need to let them fly….

I’ll let him know. He had 12 GCSEs including Maths and English at A*. But it was during year 11 that his IBS symptoms began.

He’ll be happy to know this. Thank you.

My daughter got into Lancaster as well. Congratulations to him.

Literally, it seems 😁

So, your A level results can be a predictor of your degree results?

I'm thrilled with the grades that my DS achieved which are far, far lower than the A stars, the As and even the B's mentioned here as the norm. He worked so hard within the confines of his ADD and processing disorder to get C and Ds. He received a contextual offer and a sporting bursary at a great uni on a course that he is genuinely excited to undertake. I hope that he will be able to thrive.

My A level results weren't as good as expected for valid reasons, but I still managed to talk my way into my preferred University and I parlayed those not so stellar results into a First. So, yes 'predictor' - definitely not, confirmation.

According to widely available research, yes. Obviously there are outliers.

Ds1 got CCC at A level and managed a 2.1 - he worked really hard for it but it certainly wasn't easy.

My husband went with a C and D many many years ago and barely got a third. He then went as a much older mature student and got a first in an allied health related degree.

I think the desire to succeed means a lot.

There are two types of student, those that have excellent memory and the ability to regurgitate information, and those that are just clever. The former will have to work hard at uni and will struggle without the structure of school, the latter usually thrive because they can learn the way they want to and usually have a good life/study balance.
What you need to do well at uni is the ability to adapt to a very different learning environment where being spoon fed and submersed in facts and tutored to pass exams via marking schemes etc just disappears.
DS became very frustrated by the limitations of learning to the exam rather than being able to free hand. I don’t remember my A levels being so rigid. I know that he will enjoy being able to explore his subject unfetted by marking schemes.

There are two types of student, those that have excellent memory and the ability to regurgitate information, and those that are just clever

Surely this is a massive generalisation.

Also, all kids that end up with A stars are both clever AND have a great memory.

You can't completely 'free style' at uni anyway. Yes, you can research things that interest you, and choose modules, but you still have to learn basic stuff.

DD got A* in 2 portfolio subjects and A in an essay subject.
She can regurgitate info when needed as she got 9s in sciences and maths at gcse but hates them and says she doesnt understand science!

There are two types of student, those that have excellent memory and the ability to regurgitate information, and those that are just clever. The former will have to work hard at uni and will struggle without the structure of school, the latter usually thrive because they can learn the way they want to and usually have a good life/study balance.

this isn’t true at all. You simply can’t generalise. It entirely depends on the individual and the course. Plus there is a high correlation between those who have an excellent memory and can regurgitate and those who are “clever” anyway.

What is true is that at university you need a level of self motivation and maturity.

That “two types of learner” thing is crap. I don’t know a single very clever person who does not also have an excellent memory. And I know a LOT of extremely clever people. One of the things that aids their intelligence is the ability to hold, recall and process a lot of information quickly. Why do you think IQ and Ed psych test have such a significant component of memory tests of one form or another?

I got ABN back in the 90s. Not naturally academic. Ended up with a DPhil in biology related topic.

There are an awful lot of mature students who got poor A Levels (or no A Levels) who successfully manage to do very well in their degrees.

A level grades may be indicators of future degree success, but they certainly do not define it - there are plenty of other factors in play as well.

If you manage to extract any further details would you be be so kind as to share. My DS (15) is wanting to train as a pilot but other than the paid expensive route I'm not sure what else is out there. Kudos to your DS for getting out there and making it happen.

@WatchingTVagain i guess I’ll get the info eventually! When I do I’ll forward it to you.

Now we're in the 'How in God's name will she afford to live and pay for the madly expensive accommodation she's been offered' phase!
She has a full loan plus hopefully some DSA as DH is retired and I'm a lowly NHS worker, plus she has a disability, but..it's madness!

If she has a disability then she is entitled to some extra help. There's a grant towards laptops, a free mentor at the uni, and there may be more loan they can access. Do check what she's entitled to.

@Tortiemiaw DSA is not £ but funding towards equipment, mentor, support etc as identified by the needs assessor. If she needs specific accessible accommodation it might subsidise that.

I doubt she'd get cash for her DSA?

No, but it will help buy the things she'll need

Although the website says:
How DSA is paid
Money is paid either into your bank account or directly to the organisation providing the service or equipment.

If it’s not the least expensive option contact the accommodation department asap, be completely honest with them about the financial situation and ask for a swap. If no swaps are offered then ask what bursaries are available within the uni.

Yes. She's done that today. It was the top priced one- basically the cost of her loan. No way is that going to be possible

What a lovely story 🙂