The pressure of exam results

I have a 16 year old son who has just started his GCSEs which of course will determine if he carries on in further education.

I also have a 17 year old daughter who is about to start her A levels which of course the results will decide her placement in university. After years of study it comes down to just three exams.

I have enormous sympathy for young people today. The pressures to achieve and pass exams, to have a career etc nowadays has become so difficult to achieve. There are fewer opportunities and the funding for education has been reduced. People leave university with big debts just for trying to follow their dream.

So the pressure is on my 17 year old daughter. Personally I think she can achieve the grades she needs for university, but what if she doesn’t get the grades? 

What does she do? Get a job? Well, probably, but the pressure she feel like she under is immense. She’d feel on the scrap heap of life aged just 17 because she wouldn’t be able to fulfill her dream of university and embark on her chosen career path.

My sons results will determine that he will stay in school to study for A levels. To be totally honest I think he would have left school and got an apprenticeship, but there are none out there and the ones that are available are so sought after that it’s like a lottery with little chance of being employed.

So don’t stress too much! Do your best and I hope you both achieve your dreams. Good luck.