The Student Room Group

Post exam stress

I have offers for this academic year at some competitive RG universities, but the problem is I don’t think I’ve done enough to meet my offers. I’m really really hoping I’ve done better than A*AAA in Maths, Further Maths, CS and Chemistry respectively. I’ve also completed an EPQ and I achieved an A.

I applied for CS at uni. If I don’t hit the grades I need, I see some universities n Clearing I’m a bit interested in, but I think that decision can be made on Results Day depending on whether they’re happy to accept me as well and I’m not entirely elated by the places available so I’m considering reapplying but nothing is set in stone as of yet.

My question is with how popular CS is, do you think it’s worth me resitting the A levels I achieve an A in?

Also, there was a bereavement in my family in March, which I know was a while before A levels but I was really close with the individual who passed away and it really started to affect my mental health because I brought it upon myself to do well for the person who passed away. It was also one of the last things that they told me: To do well for myself so I wanted to make sure. I think the major problem here is I decided to keep it to myself and didn’t tell anyone about it, so I don’t think I’m eligible for special consideration. Should I inform my school now?

The papers weren’t that bad but I was just making stupid mistakes left, right and centre in addition to the added pressure of wanting to do well for the person in my family and for myself.

Let me know what you think of my situation. I desperately need your help.

Thanks in advance

Reply 1

Sorry to hear about your bereavement. I would suggest calling your unis in advance and discussing your extenuating circumstances - many will be sympathetic especially if it occurred in March and would've knock-on affected your later results and examinations. Tell them that you're unsure you'll meet the grades on results day and discuss your options and whether they could accept you if you missed it by one or two grades. Depending on their response, look into clearing on results day if things don't work out. Hope they do and wishing you the best of luck 🙂

As someone in CS too, it can be extremely competitive but the best course of action is probably to go forth and get into a uni at the very least, regardless of whether they're RG or not. Climbing up with good projects, internships and opportunities is very much down to you and how much effort you put in, and not so much your uni name. In fact, many companies are now going university-blind, and not looking at the name of your uni in an effort to be more equal and accommodating. I really would recommend not resitting A Levels - if you've got all As, you still have an excellent shot at getting into a "good" university for CS, and I know plenty of people with less who are doing very well for themselves now. Best of luck!

Reply 2

Original post by AnaaaElec
Sorry to hear about your bereavement. I would suggest calling your unis in advance and discussing your extenuating circumstances - many will be sympathetic especially if it occurred in March and would've knock-on affected your later results and examinations. Tell them that you're unsure you'll meet the grades on results day and discuss your options and whether they could accept you if you missed it by one or two grades. Depending on their response, look into clearing on results day if things don't work out. Hope they do and wishing you the best of luck 🙂
As someone in CS too, it can be extremely competitive but the best course of action is probably to go forth and get into a uni at the very least, regardless of whether they're RG or not. Climbing up with good projects, internships and opportunities is very much down to you and how much effort you put in, and not so much your uni name. In fact, many companies are now going university-blind, and not looking at the name of your uni in an effort to be more equal and accommodating. I really would recommend not resitting A Levels - if you've got all As, you still have an excellent shot at getting into a "good" university for CS, and I know plenty of people with less who are doing very well for themselves now. Best of luck!


Thanks for your response!
Would the universities still consider special consideration given the timeframe and the fact that I am contacting them after completing my A level exams?

Reply 3

I understand that this requires me to ask them* but I just thought I'd get a second opinion before contacting the university.

And by the way, my firm and insurance choices are Imperial and Edinburgh respectively.

Reply 4

Because* it doesn't fell likely that I will be able to get it after considering the timeframe from when the bereavement happened and the start of my A level exams, and I didn't tell school or anyone else about it, which has probably further impacted my chances.

Reply 5

Original post by vnayak
Because* it doesn't fell likely that I will be able to get it after considering the timeframe from when the bereavement happened and the start of my A level exams, and I didn't tell school or anyone else about it, which has probably further impacted my chances.

I think you should still contact them regardless. No one except the universities themselves can give you an accurate opinion on how it will turn out - March is pretty recent and maybe you had reasons for not contacting them earlier, just see what they say and call them before it does become too late.

Quick Reply