British pupils countrywide have a fortnight to wait for A Level Results and three weeks to cling onto till GCSEs are released. Whether they are expecting the best or the worst, there's often something riding on their outcome. Whether it be a University for the 18 and 19-year-olds delighted to have completed sixth form/ college or to secure that much-wanted place in the sixth form for the 15 and 16-year-olds. It's a scary and thought-provoking time but I have to share my experiences to be able to help you change your approach before you walk those steps and are handed your fate marked by examiners you've never met.

GCSEs

Back in 2013, when Daft Punk had a stellar return disturbing the music industry with their song Get Lucky; I took five GCSEs in Maths, English Language, Food Technology, Core Science and RE Short Course. It was one of the last years to be a part of the cohort to take GCSEs early as well as A Levels in later years. I can't say I regret being premature with taking these GCSEs because it gave me much needed confidence for the death season to come in 2014.

This article is not a place for me to brag about my predictions and results because quite frankly I rested too much on the knowledge that my predictions would magically become my results with no added work. I was wrong. I was predicted in the region of 7 A*s and 5 As.

My results: 9As and 3Bs, still very good and I was happy but I could never have guessed that this would be the start of my own demise.

A Levels

Deep down inside I was distraught to miss out on the A* grades that my teachers promised me that I would get. I forgot that the teachers that spoon-feed you, don't mark your exams. A Level would be different, I told myself.

I remember the 2015 results for AS (doesn't exist anymore for most subjects as they have moved to a linear system), I was predicted 3As and 1B. I was actually confident in my ability. I initially got 1A, 2Bs and 1D, that was soon corrected. I was wrongly marked by 2 grades for the D and my results stood at 1A and 3Bs.

Now...

I got predicted 3As for University lending myself to get 4/5 offers from UCL, Kings, Queen Mary and Loughborough to study Geography. I was working so hard Day and night to get the results, I was so determined and so driven. I knew that University was the end goal. WRONG. The end goal is not even in sight now, just steps in the process to become successful. Results day 2016 came and I checked my UCAS, my place at Queen Mary (my insurance) has been firmly accepted. That means I missed the grade for my firm which was UCL (AAA), so what grades did I get? I was lucky, very lucky. I got BBC, the requirements were ABB but the course I opted for was clearing at BCC. I can't imagine that happening to anyone else.

Approach Now?

I was obviously a bit too fortunate last year. It could've all gone wrong and I greatly appreciate that I might not have my current mindset if it had. I now work smart rather than hard, every day trying to improve myself and work towards my visions and goals. You can do the same. You can use results day to change the way that you work and operate. Most people take results day literally as the beginning of something new or the end of it all.

I realised that I needed to work on myself and that would get me the best results. It worked, it's not miracle therapy. I achieved a high 2:1 in my first year at QM Geography securing a study abroad place in Texas starting in two weeks time, on A Levels results day. Funny to think that this time last year I was an anxious, young and juvenile boy, now I'm about to start a journey of a lifetime... what a year can do as long as you're willing to work for it.