Recent research from Future Learn found that:

54% of young people expecting exam results this summer have reported increased anxiety

41% had concerns about getting into university

25% were worried that lower grades than they hoped would prevent them from getting a job

In the lead up to Results Day, we asked Zoe, a school leaver just four years ago, and now member of the Kids Inspire team, to share her thoughts on the transition from secondary school to the next step.

When I read the above statistics, they didn’t surprise me because I remember feeling all those emotions in the summer of 2017, in the lead up to my own results day. I was concerned I wouldn’t get the grades I needed to get into university, but I think I was more nervous about moving away from my friends, my family, my comfort zone and heading off to university! I had a real fear of transition and change.

To the Class of 2021, who may be feeling the way I felt, I would say:

• You are prepared: Throughout your lives, you will have dealt with a number of transitions, whilst leaving school may be the biggest transition you’ve had to face yet, you will have learnt from the past, which will help you in your future.

• Let things happen: You don’t have to have everything planned out for your future. This next step in your life will teach you a lot of things which may mean you veer away slightly from any plans you have, but that is ok. You’re growing and learning and what is meant for you won’t pass you by.

• Stay connected: Don’t bottle up how this transition makes you feel. There are people who are experiencing or have experienced the same situation you are going through, reach out to them and see how they are coping with it; you might learn something.

On Results Day, I got the grades I needed to get into university and the transition I was so scared of led me to a fantastic three years.

Whatever the outcome on Results Day for the Class of 2020, there will be change but that also means exciting new things on the horizon.

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