Anyone else nervous about A level and BTEC results day

[ThatGoldHedgehog]

How are all the Alevel and BTEC results mums holding up? My son applied to UCAS and has to hit high grades in his BTEC. He seems calm and confident. I am nervous but putting on a brave face and staying calm. In the background ive been reading about how Clearing works and getting ready for results day. He wants to live at home so only 2 universities he is considering. First time through this system! Solidarity with other mums navigating this with their teenagers!

We've just had our Scottish results day and I feel I can finally relax so I know how you feel! I read up on clearing too. Do you know that clearing is already open so you can have a feel of what might be available? He might not need clearing but it's nice to be prepared. Good luck!!

Me(!)

DS is really able but I feel he self sabotages (when he stresses he performs worse than he is actually capable of) He has always done this from a young age and I was hoping he would grow out of it. In hindsight, I think he’s become better at masking and I should have addressed this earlier.

He’s cried alot because he got 4 interviews for dentistry and didn’t get a single offer. I had told him he hadn’t prepared enough for it (he is a natural
introvert); but for whatever reason he didn’t listen. I felt
s absolutely gutted for him and it took ALOT of conversations
to keep his head up and going. I could see he was revising hard , I’m just not sure how effective his method was. Time will tell! His elder sibling got straight A and I’m hoping so much he does too, but I think his cohort are really smart and I’m just so worried. I want him to get it for his sake so much . I worry for his mental health if he doesn’t(!)

i have told him to have a place b and c.
he still wants to do dentistry which I’m just not
so sure about. I don’t want to see him as upset as he was again. I want him to consider other fields.‘I feel he is burying his head in the sand again.

Yes, a bit.
Waiting for BTEC. He's predicted a MMM and seems to think he has enough to get that, so he will be really disappointed if he doesn't.
BTECs are easier to predict than A Levels as the work was done and dusted over the last two years, but I am still nervous that grade boundaries or something will scupper him.

Its alot for the teenagers and parents to deal with isn't it. You hope so much that their dream course comes through for them and yet being ready just in case it doesn't with an alternative plan. My son is set on an engineering course. He's really well suited to it and has wanted to do it since he was little. I am researching away looking at alternative courses like engineering with management etc in case things dont go to plan. He's not willing to look at alternatives just yet but if things dont go to plan on results day preferring just to "wing it", at least I can put several different options to him if we need to look at something else on the day! Good luck to your son. I hope he gets his dentistry course. Would the likes of pharmacy/physiotherapy/speech and language /OT be courses he might like the look of too being quite clinical?

Its a worry that a grade boundary can scupper things at the last minute definitely

yeah, I'm bricking it! DS wants to do Law, so needs top grades and his first and second choice were both quite aspirational so we're preparing ourselves for clearing if he doesn't hit them.

Good luck for your son for his Law application. I hope all goes well for you all.

im not nervous for results day , her grades will be higher than what she’s being asked for . I am however nervous about whether she has chosen correctly and whether it is the right course for her.

RockyKeen, I hope your daughter has the best of results in her grades and settles well into her course.

My DD did an extended btec and yesterday received a confirmed offer for her insurance choice even though results aren’t out yet - anyone know how that works?

Absolutely terrified here too, mostly because of the disappointment if DC doesn't feel their hard work has paid off, which is a very real possibility in 2 subjects. Dropping grades in both would be gutting and in one would be hard to take. Praying that the uni will accept dropped grades and take them anyway so we can deflect focus to that (UCAS suggests most common grade is below the standard offer) but then I'm worried that this is less likely because they've applied for deferred entry.

y13 was horrid all round for this DC and I just can't wait for the next 10 days to be over!!

Me!!

Needs very high grades. Insurance not much lower! I have no idea what she’ll do if she doesn’t get the grades. I haven’t asked her as I’m worried she’ll think I don’t think she’ll get the grades iykwim.

Argh. Roll on next Thursday then we’ll know where she’s at!

@Roundaboot Here's my Law clearing homework:

• Southampton advertising ABB in Clearing.

• QMUL, Liverpool, Newcastle, Sheffield, Cardiff and Queen's Belfast all showing on UCAS as being in clearing for law, but not advertising Clearing grade requirements on their websites yet.

Good luck!

They won’t have her results yet. But are taking a punt and getting effectively unconditional offers out before tomorrow’s embargo. Which is a bit naughty tbh.

That's so helpful, thank you!

@Fifiellz Universities usually receive BTEC results a week before students do (and a little sooner than A levels) to give them time to process offers.

Receiving a confirmed offer doesn't necessarily mean that she achieved the conditions of that offer though.

They may have reduced their requirements and accepted her if they already know that they're going to struggle to fill the course in clearing.

For example, Exeter have dropped their History course from AAB to BCC in clearing.

Ok great thanks for clarifying! She’s over the moon either way, and I’m happy that’s it’s a week less of stressing for her

My DC had exactly this a couple of weeks ago, then the certificate arrived in the post a few days later. Apparently extended BTEC results are released to the universities in tranches every week from late July. We were very confused but delighted, as place is confirmed and accommodation also sorted.

Well done to your child. Yes we are very confused but happy about it - glad to know it’s happened to others as we were worried it was a glitch and would be withdrawn. We are on holiday so just going to relax now and assume all ok

Yes I'm getting nervous now it's only a week to go! DD also applied for law and has a fairly high offer to achieve, though I think she will do it.

I have questions about clearing. I sort of know how it works, but what happens when you phone uni hotlines, if they say they will accept you, how long do you have to say yes or no? Is that done via UCAS?

And when you phone, can you normally get through to someone who can make a decision, or do you have to wait for a call back?

if someone could explain it step by step that would be really helpful, so we feel like we have a plan B.

Yes me. I'm so stressed out about it! DS worked so hard but we had family issues going on right around the exams. I applied for special consideration but it's not a lot. He has a habit, especially in his favourite subject of writing 'this is everything I know about x' ( which is a lot, but not necessarily what the question asks! )which his teachers and me warned him about so he'll be gutted if he doesn't get the grades, as will I. I just want it all to be over. It feels like life is on hold until we know what's happening.

Liverpool are ABB in clearing for Law.

Queens Belfast saying AAB but candidates with lower will be put on a waiting list.

Reading might be worth a look. Seen a few comments on Mumsnet that their Law Department was very impressive on open days. They're not giving individual clearing grades yet though.

@Roundaboot