A-Level results day is less than two weeks away, falling on 18th August. As we lead up to the day, which for many follows years of hard work and revision, teens will be anxiously preparing, particularly with data by MyTutor unveiling that 43% of parents now say their child’s self-esteem is linked to the grades they achieved at school.

It’s important to remember that it’s completely normal to feel a bit nervous before you receive your results, however it’s important to keep a healthy perspective and have strategies in place to calm any overwhelming feelings. If you recognise these feelings and feel as though exam stress is taking over your life, you are not alone. As such, MyTutor – the UK’s most trusted tutoring – platform shares the go-to guide to help you calm your nerves ahead of results day.

Keep a sense of perspective
Results don’t define a person. It’s worth keeping this in mind and always having a plan B, C, or even D that you can resort to. If you don’t get the results you’re hoping for, then this can help you create alternate plans and reassure yourself that you will be OK. There’s often more than one way to achieve your dreams. It helps to research alternative pathways so that you’ve got an actionable plan. This could be summer programmes, work experience/internships, support with job applications or even working abroad whilst you travel the world.

Take your mind off results & relax
Worrying about results day won’t make it come any sooner; keeping your mind off it and enjoying yourself can be a helpful tactic. Listening to your favourite music, podcasts (as long as they’re not about exams!), or even watching TV can all help them keep your results worries at bay.

Get a good night’s sleep
It’s also a good idea to make sure you have a good sleep the night before. The last thing you need is to be feeling tired (and/or emotional) on the big day. With a good eight hours of rest in the tank, you can wake up feeling refreshed and ready to tackle the day.

Reassure yourself
It’s important to reassure yourself that your grades don’t define you. Part of your anxiety might be about disappointing your parents (even if they haven’t said so), and it’s important to remind yourself that no matter what results day holds, you’re not alone and your support system will be there for you.

Results aren’t everything, and it’s important to remember that the world really is your oyster no matter what grades you get. Finally, remind yourself that if you’re unhappy with your results, you’ll have the chance to resit the exam next term.

Get advice from people who have been through it
Talking to someone who’s been through the same challenges as you – and made it to the other side – can be a great source of reassurance and encouragement. At MyTutor, our tutors studied the same courses as teens in the past few years – and they’ve been tutoring teens through school closures too. Tutors can help you navigate your next steps and get back on track for the next academic year. You can check out our online tutors here, or book a call with one of our Tutor Experts. We can help find the right tutor for you and get you the support they need.