For the next generation of biochemists, bankers, sociologists, medical professionals and artists, the next few weeks are likely to bring with them the stresses and celebrations of their undergraduate results day. Whilst we don’t perhaps focus on these results as much as we focus on high school or college results in UK media, they’re still a very important milestone to everybody who’s anxiously awaiting their results email, and can have a huge impact on what they go on to do next.

Unlike GCSE or A-Level results day in the UK, universities don’t release all of their grades on the same day nationally, and some third-year students will have already received their results by the time this article is live. Some could also be waiting as long as until early August – it’s entirely up to the university in question, and some are even taking a longer marking window this year due to the continued effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. So the wait might be a little longer than in previous years, and after such a strange eighteen months in education, some of us are bound to be a little worried about what’s about to pop into our inbox.

There are, however, a few things that you can do to prepare yourself for the big day, whether you’re taking it as it comes or refreshing Outlook every ten minutes. Just breathe – you’ve got this.

Take a Break From Technology
Although it’s a vital part of the way we live our lives now, technology – and in particular, social media – doesn’t have a fantastic effect on our mental health. Watching other people get their results and posting about it can be very stressful to somebody who’s still got days or even weeks to go until theirs, and sometimes it’s better to just switch off and think about something else. Whether you toggle on airplane mode and sit down to binge an entire box set, have a Disney day (it’s ok, we won’t tell anyone) or go for a walk to surround yourself with good vibes and nature, it’s great to take a break from the endless stream of content sometimes- and your brain will probably enjoy the breather too.

Examine Your Options
Need a first to get onto that fully-funded, all-star, award-winning postgraduate programme? Or looking for a solid 2:1 in your creative dissertation to get onto the graduate scheme of your dreams? It’s been a strange year to have been anywhere from in reception class right the way up to doctoral level, so it might be that entry requirements are going to take this into account. If you’ve walked out of your final exams feeling like you may not have done as well as you needed to, there’s a chance that you’ll be able to make your case to whatever hiring or admissions department you’ve applied to and talk through your options. Some might say that they can’t change the criteria, some might offer your alternative roles or programmes, and some might want to chat to you further to get a better picture of who you are and what you can do outside your results. It’s a great idea to ask, and knowing where you are before you’ve got your results is likely to allay some of your stress – and if the results you need happen to turn up on results day, then all the better!

A Problem Shared
Especially after a year remote learning, it’s easy to feel like you’re alone in the world as you wait for your final exam marks to turn up. But it’s very likely you’re not as alone as you think – there are probably plenty of people in your life who have had experience of waiting for their uni results and the sheer nail-biting tension of wondering if those answers were enough to get you over the final hurdle. Sitting down over a brew and chatting to your parents, carers and grandparents can be a great idea, as can connecting with friends who are in the same boat or have already been through it – although it’s something your grandma probably says, a problem shared is a problem halved isn’t a bad way to think about it. It’s also a smart idea to take stock of your mental health if you feel like the anxiety is getting a little too much to handle, and reach out to your own circle or even a professional if you feel like you could benefit from a little extra support.

You can also find support and resources at the UK’s student mental health charity, Student Minds.

Repeat and Resit
This one’s subjective, but it’s worth knowing and thinking about – some universities will let you repeat a year or re-take your final exams. It isn’t the same across the board and some institutions see final exams as indelible, but a high number of UK universities will let you re-sit modules or even entire terms of their programmes if you feel like you’ve got more to give. Some also offer re-sits due to extenuating circumstances that could have been having a negative impact on your ability at the time that you took the examination, although these mostly have to be arranged before the exam took place if you’re not re-sitting. If you’re worried or think you might want another shot at those final papers, it’s definitely worth chatting to your exams or admissions department – and it’s worth finding out what your choices are before your results come in, not only to give you some peace of mind, but also because courses fill up rapidly, and some re-sit and repeated year places could be limited.

Step Back
Although with a competitive job market and coveted postgraduate places as part of the equation, it might not feel like it sometimes – but you are more than these results. Whether they’re coming in as all firsts, a hard-won pass or even a fail, as a learner and as a person you’ve got more to offer than the letters and numbers attached to your name. Many brilliant and creative people the world over didn’t excel in academia, and some huge household names left school very early on without a qualification to their name – think Cher, Bill Gates, Benjamin Franklin or Sir Richard Branson. When it comes to careers, too, many employers care more about who you are as a person, how you perform in interviews, and what kind of previous experience you have – what’s important is to be passionate about what you do, and stay creative.

A degree is a long haul, and waiting for the result of three, four or even five years of study can be an intense and anxious experience. If you’re worried at all, it’s a great idea to reach out in any direction you feel like you can, celebrate the huge achievements you’ve made, and how much you’ve grown as a person – especially after such a strange and mixed-up year. And don’t forget that the world doesn’t end if you don’t reach the 2:1 you’ve been aiming towards, or a scholarship you’ve coveted goes to somebody else – life is all about learning, and it’s important to see redirection as yet another opportunity you haven’t scoped out fully yet.