Top 3 tips for getting through GCSE or Nationals results day

This article was last updated January 2025.

After exam season comes… results day! If you've taken GCSEs, this will fall on 21 August 2025 and if you've taken Scottish Nationals, it will fall on 5 August 2025. We know you may be feeling a mixture of emotions once exams are over and as these dates approach, but try not to worry.

We've got you covered with our results day collection which offers tips for the countdown to results day, the big day itself and advice to help you decide on your next steps after your exam results.

Our 3 top tips for getting through results day

Before results day

1. Do what brings you joy

Over the summer you may be feeling stressed, distracted or anxious on the countdown to opening your results.

So our first tip to keep chill ahead of results day is to spend time doing the things you love, with the people you love. Whether that's binging your favourite TV shows, playing sports or hanging out with friends and family – do what makes you feel good.

You could also repeat some positive affirmations to yourself – out loud, in private or to the mirror – to help remind you that you've got this.

For more ways to relax before results day, we've got some great advice from students and also some top tips from teachers.

On results day

2. Be open-minded

On the day, your emotions may be turned up even higher. You may be feeling a mixture of worry and excitement as the moment you open your results gets nearer. Now it's feeling real, but here are some ways to help manage those feelings.

Plan to meet up with a friend or trusted adult on the day to discuss your results, however they go. This will ideally be someone who can offer advice and support, and help you celebrate or commiserate, and make a plan of action!

For more advice, check out our article about looking after your wellbeing on results day.

After results day

3. Your grades don’t define you

Don't fear the worst-case-scenario. There are loads of people who still go on to succeed after getting grades that weren’t what they expected. In 2020 we spoke to Caoimhe who had to resit maths, and Sholto who didn't do as well as he expected, but they both found alternative paths to do what they wanted to do beyond secondary school. You can find out more about their stories here.

If you are disappointed that you didn’t get what you expected there are plenty of steps you can take right away, from assessing your entry into college or sixth form to considering appealing your grades. For more advice and links to support services including National Careers Service, Careers Wales, Skills Development Scotland and My World of Work check out our guide about what you can do if you are unhappy with your GCSE or Nationals results.

If you need support

You should always tell someone about the things you’re worried about. You can tell a friend, parent, guardian, teacher, or another trusted adult. If you're struggling with your mental health, going to your GP can be a good place to start to find help. Your GP can let you know what support is available to you, suggest different types of treatment and offer regular check-ups to see how you’re doing.

If you’re in need of in-the-moment support you can contact Childline, where you can speak to a counsellor. Their lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

There are more links to helpful organisations on BBC Action Line.