Is it worth taking a gap year even if you make your offer?

The whole point of this thread was that I knew I'm capable of A*s, which is what stings.

The one subject I was predicted an A in (further maths - and rightly so, as I only just got 90% at AS), I am confident I've achieved an A. And I am INFINITELY happy with this achievement, because I know I did the best that I could, even though it's not an A*. But for stuff like maths and physics, it makes me sick to think I ****ed up my exams badly enough to miss the A*s, despite getting full UMS for both subjects in my mocks. I can't help feeling like that.

It's like the difference between A* and A. The individual with the A* cares about it, but most other people don't so much.

And if an employer is choosing between 2 candidates; a postgrad with a 2:1 good ECs and relevant work experience will trump someone with a 1st and no ECs/work experience.

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The whole point of this thread was that I knew I'm capable of A*s, which is what stings.

The one subject I was predicted an A in (further maths - and rightly so, as I only just got 90% at AS), I am confident I've achieved an A. And I am INFINITELY happy with this achievement, because I know I did the best that I could, even though it's not an A*. But for stuff like maths and physics, it makes me sick to think I ****ed up my exams badly enough to miss the A*s, despite getting full UMS for both subjects in my mocks. I can't help feeling like that.

I don't ever stating an opinion to the contrary? Only that I understand why someone might be disappointed in not attaining an A* in some scenarios. That being said, my work placement is currently dependent on me achieving very good grades up until the time that I actually take it, so if that's next year, then it will be A levels


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It's like the difference between A* and A. The individual with the A* cares about it, but most other people don't so much.
Posted from TSR Mobile

It's like the difference between A* and A. The individual with the A* cares about it, but most other people don't so much.

And if an employer is choosing between 2 candidates; a postgrad with a 2:1 good ECs and relevant work experience will trump someone with a 1st and no ECs/work experience.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Leaving aside the issue of whether it is worth taking a year out to resit (in my opinion it isn't) you need give at least some consideration as to how you will feel if your gamble does not pay off. You're making the assumption that the issues which made you underachieve (in your view) will go away in a gap year, which may not be the case. You are also not factoring in the issue of going stale from not studying for the whole year. It could be that you do not do any better second time around. Of course, you may, but no one can give any guarantees and you need to consider what this would do to your self esteem, which seems to be rather firmly tied up with academic results.

Leaving aside the issue of whether it is worth taking a year out to resit (in my opinion it isn't) you need give at least some consideration as to how you will feel if your gamble does not pay off. You're making the assumption that the issues which made you underachieve (in your view) will go away in a gap year, which may not be the case. You are also not factoring in the issue of going stale from not studying for the whole year. It could be that you do not do any better second time around. Of course, you may, but no one can give any guarantees and you need to consider what this would do to your self esteem, which seems to be rather firmly tied up with academic results.

Yeah. Perhaps.
Every time I think I've done badly, I just tell myself that Brian Cox got a D in A-level maths, and if he's a successful physicist with a D in maths then I can probably be a successful engineer with an A in maths xD

Yeah. Perhaps.
Every time I think I've done badly, I just tell myself that Brian Cox got a D in A-level maths, and if he's a successful physicist with a D in maths then I can probably be a successful engineer with an A in maths xD

I'm not a perfectionist, or else I'd be aiming for 4 A*s instead of 3 A*s and an A You're right about the unresolved issues though LOL oh well

You can be more than successful with an A in maths. You need to get it into your head that an A is a brilliant grade. It's not like you're going to die if you don't get an A*

No, but I was getting A*s easily throughout the year in maths, and I even got the highest C2 mark in my class at AS. It just sucks how much C3 screwed me over and the knock-on effect it had on literally all my other exams, but an A is good and I've accepted my fate

I called my mum and she's advised me not to take a gap year. I'll probably do that. Hopefully I won't feel the need to in 30 days..

I was a bit disappointed that I got a C at A2, but ultimately I don't care because it hasn't affected me in the long run, because I know where my priorities should be. Your priority should be getting into uni and getting the experience that comes with that, not screwing your mental health over trying to up your A Levels by one grade that will ultimately affect your career prospects in anyway

A-Levels are not just about career prospects though. I really, really wanted to gain a thorough grounding in the maths and physics that will underpin the ideas covered in my degree. And I love learning - not getting an A in physics to me is a slap in the face, because it tells me that I haven't learned as effectively as I could have done, and there are gaps in my knowledge.

An an A represents that you have that grounding. A uni wouldn't accept you with an A in maths and physics if they didn't consider it a good enough grounding what's covered in the degree.

A-Levels are not just about career prospects though. I really, really wanted to gain a thorough grounding in the maths and physics that will underpin the ideas covered in my degree. And I love learning - not getting an A in physics to me is a slap in the face, because it tells me that I haven't learned as effectively as I could have done, and there are gaps in my knowledge.

Oh yeah I forgot that I've most likely met my offer, and that my university wouldn't have given me that offer if they didn't think it was enough to successfully complete the course! That makes me feel better.