Results day is going to be like no other for the young people across Oxfordshire collecting A Level and GCSE results this August. Some of our Apprenticeship Ambassadors have shared their experiences and top tips to help!

Abbie Adamberry, Business Administration Apprentice, Oxfordshire County Council

Make sure that you don’t put too much pressure on yourself! You have done the best you can and you need to remember that you can’t change the past!

Teya Agnese, Apprentice Clinical Trial Support Officer, University of Oxford

If you don’t feel comfortable sharing your results with your friends, this is okay. It is easy to feel pressured by your peers at a time like this, but it is important to take a step back and think about where you would like to go with your future, what YOU would like to do, whether this be sixth form, university, or an Apprenticeship. It can be really tempting to go along with what your friends are doing but it is really important to be quite independent with your decision, accepting others’ support of course, but doing what you would like to do, even if you may be the only one in your friendship group taking that path.

If you don’t get the grades that you wanted, it will be disappointing at first, but don’t be disheartened as the experience you will gain in the future will be just as valuable as your grades - going to college or sixth form or getting a job, you will continue to learn and grow your portfolio of skills which will be a valuable and employable skill, to get a job, apprenticeship or into university.

On the other hand, if you do get the grades you wanted, or higher than expected: brilliant! Use this excitement and passion to fuel the next step in your career.

Kirran Hussain, Business Administration Apprentice, Oxfordshire County Council

I felt so many emotions when it was my results day – really nervous and excited! I was happy with my results and passed in all subjects – psychology, sociology and business. I had applied for university but knew I wasn’t keen on going that year so initially deferred and later pulled out as I felt university and the debt wasn’t something I wanted. I looked down different routes for furthering my education and I found Apprenticeships to be a perfect suit! I could develop my skills and knowledge whilst having practical experience which I found was great and helped boost my confidence. Embrace the experience and don’t be disheartened if you don’t get the results you were after – there is always another way to get to your goal and enjoy your journey!

Tiffany Pedley, Sales Apprentice, Nielsen

Even if you don't get the results you want, you have lots of options now - grades don't mean everything. Do something that makes you happy. Don't let others influence you into something you don't want to do or you can't see yourself doing in the future.

If you don't know what you want to do in the future, that is okay. I've just finished my degree in business and still don't know what I want to do. Just because you go down one path doesn't mean you can't change your mind in the next few years. At the beginning of my A-Levels, I thought I would be going to Uni and doing Sports Science, I then changed my mind to Economics and actually ended up doing a Level 6 apprenticeship in Business!