The reality of re-sits

Predicted results: AAB
Achieved results: AAC

Charlotte Martin writes...

"I was absolutely terrified when I went to pick up my A level results. My entire school career seemed to build up to that one moment. I had never for one minute thought I wouldn't go to university - that was what everything was leading towards for me.

I was predicted AAB, and I needed AAB to get into my first choice university. My plan before getting myresults was to to study for a degree in Law and that had always been the plan. I had considered the fact that I may not get the grades I needed for my first choice university, however it was never more than a passing thought.

Before I opened my results I felt physically sick and just really just wanted to know one way or another. I knew I couldn't put it off any longer. When I opened my results I had mixed emotions of extreme happiness and extreme disappointment. I had got AAC, so had missed my grades by just one grade. I hoped that maybe my first choice university would accept me, however the course was already heavily over-subscribed and so there were no available spaces. I was devastated; although I knew I had a place at my second choice university. I didn't contemplate any other option until the next day when the reality of my results hit home.

Within 48 hours of my results and after many tears and a lot of thinking, I decided that I would retake the subject I had got a C in. I really didn't want to go to my second choice university as I had worked too hard and too long to settle for it. I had set my heart and mind on the best and that was what I was determined to achieve. The logistics of this took a few more days to sort out, as I had to ask my old school if I could go back and re-sit. I didn't want to spend the whole year re-taking - I wanted to have time to travel too - so I decided to retake my exams in January, leaving the rest of the year to travel and work. My school, parents and friends were very supportive and with their help I went back to school for re-sits.

I spent September to December back at school in preparation for my re-sits. I had one hour a day, five days a week and then had additional lessons on top. I was also working a few hours a week to save money for the travels I had planned after my re-sits. This wasn't an easy time, especially for the first few weeks as all my friends were off to university, whilst I was in lessons.

I planned to go travelling in March as this would give me time to work and save money before leaving. I decided to go to Ecuador for two months to volunteer at a centre for street children and then my plans were left open. I wanted to go with the flow. I considered many things, but in the end decided to come home and work for two months before going out to Thailand for a further month.

Travelling is an amazing experience and I can't believe I didn't decide to do it in the first place.

Whatever you do, do what's right for you - there is nothing worse than going somewhere because you feel you have to or because there is no other solution. Trust me, there is always a solution!

By the time I got to university, I had spent three months travelling and saved enough money to make those first few months at university all the more enjoyable!"

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