A level results day is inevitably a day of contrasts. For many students, it’s a joyous occasion – a clutch of grades that serve as just reward for their hard work, and confirmation they’ve scored a place at their first-choice university.

Unfortunately, for some it’s an altogether tougher experience. The pit-of-stomach disappointment felt at falling short of the grades they’d hoped for can be crushing.

These students not only have to deal with their efforts not paying off (at least in the short term), they have potentially life-changing decisions to make – accept a place at their second-choice university or take a gamble on a university or course through clearing?

It’s Hobson’s choice – either option means settling for second best, and the risk of years of regret thinking about what might have been.

Regroup and retake

If you’re one of the students who finds yourself in the latter camp, it’s time to step back and view your situation from a different angle._­­_­ You have just gained the luxury of time. Which opens a third, altogether more empowering, option – A level retakes. By taking this path, you put yourself back in charge of your academic destiny, and indeed, your future. By resitting one or more of your A levels, you give yourself the best chance of landing a place at your first-choice university. Or even at a university you thought might be beyond your reach.

Master your subject

By retaking your A levels, you start with a huge advantage over your peers. You already have a solid foundation on which to build. You can develop a more robust understanding of the subject and address gaps in your knowledge.

Face exams with confidence

You’ve already been through the cycle of revising for, practicing, and sitting A level exams. Retakes offer a chance to hone your exam technique and improve your time management. Only this time around, you know exactly what to expect. By reducing the anxiety that comes with the unknown, you can approach your resits with enhanced confidence.

Exceed your grade expectations

Whilst the primary aim of retakes is to achieve the grade or grades for which you were hoping first time around, you have every opportunity to surpass them. It’s not uncommon for retake students to improve by two to three grades or even more. This can open the doors to universities or courses you hadn’t previously thought were options.

Time for personal growth…

An extra year, perhaps for the first time in a more grown-up college environment, offers a space to grow and mature. Many retake students find the extra maturity gained during this period can be hugely beneficial in learning to balance study, work and a social life. Moreover, you will have built resilience, having learned how to overcome your academic challenges.

…and for adventure

Depending on the format of your retake course, you may also have the time for a short ‘gap year.’ Whether you spend that time travelling abroad, volunteering, gaining work experience, or devoting yourself to your favourite hobby, you will have ample matter to enrich your personal statement.