Life After A-Levels: Why Your Results do not Define You

Written by: Keira Lake

I’ll set the scene. It’s late August and you’ve just received results that you’ve been told will change your life forever. You stand there nervously shaking whilst you open the envelope to find that the results you were dreaming for were just that, a dream. In an instant the entire future you envisioned comes crumbling down. That university accommodation you were going to share with your best friend: gone. Those late nights with study groups: gone. Making iconic memories documenting your first freedom away from home: gone in an instant!

That was my reality. I was predicted A*AC but when I opened that envelope and read that I achieved CCC. I was completely shocked and stood in the Sixth Form Hall silent whilst I tried to make sense of what had happened. I would love to say that I did not let it get to me but that would be a lie. I was upset; it was only natural for me to be.

1. How I Handled My Negative Emotions

After the distressing news of my results, I was not sure what to do. I knew that there was nothing I could do to change my results without retaking the exams which would have created more stress for me; and I didn’t have the finances for it. So, I decided the best thing for me to do was to step back, take some time away from everything, and attempt to relax. So, here's what I did:

1. I thought of an environment I enjoy where I would have no reminders of exams for me this was an arcade.

2. I went to the arcade and spent a few hours there – you would be surprised how far £2 can go on 2p machines! I wasn’t alone for this either as I made sure to bring someone with me for the company and distraction.

3. I then went somewhere quiet (again with the other person) which for me was the beach. I find it really relaxing to listen to the waves repeatedly wash against the sand. It was a drizzly day as well so there was hardly anyone at the beach which made it better.

4. Then, once home and on my own, I decided to do some of my hobby to take my mind off any reminders at home as well. For me this was crochet, I was making a blanket which meant I didn’t have to put a lot of thought into the repetitive moments I was making so I could let my mind relax.

5. Finally, after all of that, I sat down and reflected on how I was feeling. By spending the day trying not to think about my results and relaxing I had managed to calm down enough that I could think about them with a logical mindset. I wrote about what my grades were, how I felt about them, how my grades impacted my future choices, and what I would do next for my future.

Take that time away for yourself and do the things you truly like. That can be spending time with family, doing your hobbies or watching your favourite film. I believe that it is important to not let not achieving your desired grades get to you as you never know what doors may open because of it in the future!

2. The Start of my Apprenticeship Journey

Thankfully, I had a job lined up working as a finance assistant on an apprenticeship with my local town council. However, I will be honest that this was the backup option:

• I had no previous experience with finance

• my Maths skills were severely lacking.

Also, I went into the apprenticeship believing every stereotype out there. For instance, I wholeheartedly believed that the office would be filled with middle aged men on the brink of retirement because that was what society led me to believe about the accounting industry.

It took me awhile to find this apprenticeship as I applied to dozens of different positions in the local area as I knew I wanted to keep learning somehow even if university was not an option for me.  After many (and I mean many) rejection emails, I finally received an interview and got the job! It was not an easy journey but it taught me to be resilient, keep on pushing for the things I wanted to achieve and follow my ambitions.

To support you in your apprenticeship journey, below are some of the most useful resources which were a massive help for me:

• Find an apprenticeship - GOV.UK : This is a great site for apprenticeships and was where I found my AAT apprenticeship with the local town council.

• Careers - Dorset Council (my local county council): I highly recommend checking out the job pages on your local council websites as they advertise for a lot of jobs within your local area and is incredibly helpful; especially if you are wanting a job locally, in education or within the local government sector.

• Job Search | Indeed was my best friend during this process! I cannot tell you how long I spent scrolling through Indeed looking at different jobs.

3. Your A-Level Results are not the End!

I was so happy that I was able to land a job, but I was then terrified by the daunting realisation that I lacked the financial and mathematical knowledge for the job. Also, what would happen if I did not get my predicted grades? Luckily I can tell you. Nothing. Absolutely, nothing happened!

I did not get my predicted grades and that made absolutely no difference to my career. I wasn’t fired for not achieving what was expected of me and definitely not fired for having no financial or mathematical knowledge.

Do you want to know why?

It is an apprenticeship where the entire point of the employer hiring you is to teach you the things that you do not know. Apprenticeships are about developing you, building your skills and employers are not looking for the finished article! I am testament to that and here is my advice to you (the aspiring apprentice):

Situation	What to Do?	Why It Matters?
You see a role you really want but feel underqualified	Apply anyway	The worst outcome is a “no”. You lose nothing by trying
You don’t get the role	Ask for feedback	Employers can give valuable insights to help you improve
You try again later	Use the feedback to strengthen your future applications	Increases your chances of landing your dream role

If you want more apprenticeship specific advice, read Next Gen Hub's guide on all things apprenticeships from types of apprenticeships through to application tips:

4. My Career Journey So Far

   
   

Fast forward a year and I am now almost finished with my AAT Level 2 which is a qualification that will lead to me becoming a qualified accountant and bookkeeper. I’ve excelled in each exam and am on track for a distinction. If someone had told me during my A levels that I’d end up working in finance, I never would have believed them. I thought accounting was the least creative career possible, and I lacked the skills I assumed were necessary.

Yet I’m glad I took this path. I love the work and find it deeply satisfying to see numbers fall into place. What once felt unimaginable has become natural, and the role has opened doors to opportunities I never knew existed. Not only am I now a finance assistant, but I’m also gaining confidence, building new skills, and setting ambitions I never would have imagined before:

• I am also a clerk for an educational charity,

•  I run my own creative business

• I was part of the AAT Student Council 2024/2025 shaping the future of the qualification

• I have been interviewed by big names in the accounting industry,

• My biggest achievement so far: I have become RFO (Responsible Financial Officer) for another council before I am even 20!

Me as part of the 2024/2025 AAT Student Council

5. Conclusion: My Advice to You

So, my biggest advice to you whether you’re applying for an apprenticeship or a normal job is to just go for it! Don’t let the little worries about not being good enough hold you back. Perfection is impossible achieve and employers are not looking for that. Instead they are looking for people who are adaptable, open to learning and wanting to improve. A "perfect" mindset tends to mean that you do things a certain way and are not open to doing it any differently. Imagine if you go into a position with little to no background experience and how easy that it makes you to better adapt to the work environment?

The reality is that no one can tell you what your future holds. Take advantage of that and shape your future the way you want it to be!

If you have any further questions, feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn below

Keira Lake