Congratulations Cardiff Students!
A Level results day usually means a media influx of scathing stories about how exams are getting easier. This year heralds a slight change in the mood with news stories panicking young people into believing that they will not gain a place at University.
We’re going to buck the trend here at theSprout and actually congratulate all Cardiff’s A Level students for their hard work instead and to remind them to focus on what they have achieved so far. You’ve done well, whatever your grade, and no-one can take that away from you.
It’s not only us that are of this opinion. We caught up with Chris Jones, Chief Schools and Lifelong Learning Officer, who said:
“I am delighted to once again congratulate Cardiff’s sixth form students on their success which is the outcome of much dedication and hard work over the course of their studies. I am sure that families and teachers across the city will be as pleased as I am with their considerable achievements. I wish them all the very best for their future careers.”
The success that he’s referring to is that Cardiff students have scored higher in the exams than the rest of Wales. According to national figures the pass rate (grades A* - E) in Cardiff was 97.7%, compared to the rest of the country’s 97.1%.
If you didn’t get the results you desired, don’t worry. Check out our piece Exam Results: Don’t Panic for some positive advice on what to do next. Sometimes things don’t work out the way you planned but that doesn’t mean they won’t work out for the best.
One girl I knew missed her grades and didn’t get accepted to study Maths at her first choice university, Bristol. She begrudgingly went to Cardiff Uni, her second choice, in order to do the same course. After three years she came out with a First Class Honours and an extremely high-flying job as an Actuary at KPMG in London. Not only that but she loved her university experience and now says that given the chance, she wouldn’t change a thing.
I know another girl who didn’t get accepted to study English at any of her preferred universities. She eventually attained excellent grades and on results day called several universities requesting a place. She eventually ended up speaking to Royal Holloway in London, a university she hadn’t thought to consider before and got on their History course. In her first week she asked her personal tutor if she could switch to English Literature which they allowed. She's now graduated with a 2:1 and is about to start a career in Publishing.
There are countless stories along this vein and hopefully they will offer some consolation to those who are frustrated with the obstacles they see in their way at this present time. Remember to explore all the options and don’t give up!
The moral of the story? Everything is going to be ‘A’-ok.
Had an experience where you didn’t get the grades but everything turned out fine? Or do you know anyone who has had a similar experience? Leave your stories below!
Image: Hammersmithandfulham
1 Comment – Post a comment
LittleLegs
Commented 21 months ago - 20th August 2010 - 11:14am
My boyfriend missed out on a place at Cardiff Uni, he went through clearing and got the last slot at my University- Glamorgan. If that hadn't happened then we propably would never have met. I'm so glad he got lower grades!