Results Day Reflections – What Now, What Next?
- Brodie Mackie
- Aug 6
- 3 min read
Results Day is finally here — and whether you're opening envelopes or checking online portals or getting your text message, it’s a moment that can bring all kinds of emotions.
To all the students out there — huge congratulations if today went the way you hoped (or even better!). Celebrate your hard work, take pride in what you've achieved, and soak in the joy of a goal reached. You’ve earned it.
But if today didn’t go to plan — if the results are confusing, disappointing, or have left you or your teen feeling a little lost — please know this: one set of exam results does not define a student’s future, nor does it determine their worth, intelligence, or potential.
In fact, what happens next matters far more than what’s happened already.
For Parents Supporting Teens After Disappointing Results
If you're a parent navigating the “what now?” phase, you’re not alone. It's natural to feel a mix of emotions too — worry, frustration, even guilt. But your calm reassurance, gentle optimism, and belief in your teen will make a huge difference.
That’s why I’ve created a free Results Day Parent Guide PDF — it’s designed to help you respond with clarity, compassion, and confidence, no matter what your teen’s results look like. Its full of reflective prompts to diagnose what went wrong with practical tips on what we can start doing now, to avoid it happening again. 🟡
What Can Students Do Now?
💡 For Students Re-Sitting or Continuing School:
Now is a great time to regroup and refocus.
Rebuild confidence: This is a chance to reflect — what could change? What support would make a difference?
Don’t wait until October to start fresh: Use August as a “prep month” to ease back into routines and reset habits.
Try this:
Complete a Study Routine Reset to pinpoint what’s working in your teens routines and current habits and identify what is not working.
Set 1–2 specific, achievable academic goals before school starts.
Choose one key habit to work on — maybe it’s consistency, study methods, or managing distractions.
➡️ Tip: My free mini course, “Reset Your Study Routine,” walks students through this process step-by-step using the five pillars of a strong study strategy.
🚀 For Students Who’ve Finished School:
There are still so many options — and it’s okay if your path looks different than expected.
Consider college or apprenticeship routes with adjusted entry grades.
Call universities — many still offer places in Clearing.
Look into foundation years, local volunteering, or work experience to build skills and confidence.
Remind your teen: They can return to formal education later, if they want to.
This isn’t a dead end. It’s a detour — and sometimes detours lead to the best destinations.
Support That Goes Beyond a Quick Fix
If your teen needs more structure or is feeling stuck in a cycle of “trying harder” without results, it might be time for a new approach — one that isn’t just about more revision, but about smarter study habits that last.
Here are two ways I can help:
🎯 Reset Your Study Routine (FREE Mini Course)
- A practical, step-by-step guide to diagnosing what’s going wrong and helping students start the new year with more clarity, calm, and control.
- My signature coaching programme that helps students build a personalised study system based on how they learn best. This isn’t just about school — it’s about building real-world skills that will support them into university, apprenticeships, or wherever life takes them next.(Limited enrolment – opens only a few times per year)
Final Words of Encouragement
No matter what today looked like, your teen is not behind. They're learning, growing, and facing things that will shape their character far beyond school.
Your love and guidance are more powerful than any grade. And when they’re ready, there are tools, strategies, and people (like me!) ready to help them take the next step forward.
💛 You've got this — and so do they.
Brodie Mackie
Study Skills Coach and Biology Tutor
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