Feeling anxious about your results? Here’s how to cope

Daisy shares her strategies for managing anxiety and stress while awaiting results and the importance of self-care, connecting with loved ones and seeing the bigger picture.

If you’re feeling anxious about your results, it’s entirely understandable and completely normal. I hope that this blog will offer you several useful strategies to help you manage your emotions and keep things in perspective during this challenging time. 

Cook some good food (and limit coffee)

Taking care of your health is a great way of managing anxiety and stress, this can be in the form of exercise, eating well, getting enough sleep, etc. Also, I’ve found that caffeine is one of the worst things when I’m under stress, so I’d suggest limiting that, too.

 Baking for friends and family is also a great way to distract yourself from stress and anxiety. 

Whenever I find myself in times of high anxiety and stress, I find a recipe that I’ve been wanting to try out, go down to the supermarket, and spend the afternoon cooking, then eat with my family. Baking for friends and family is also a great way to distract yourself from stress and anxiety. For me, eating your favourite foods is a great way to ease stress and stabilise your mood. 

Chat with friends and family

Spending time with close friends is a great way to relieve stress. I remember over that summer my friends and I used to sit in the local park and just chill, it was nice, I miss it actually. Chances are, your friends are also anxiously waiting for their results, so discussing these worries together can likely help you alleviate stress. 

Keeping your anxieties to yourself can make them feel more overwhelming. Talking to family about your concerns can provide you with reassurance. More often than not, they’re the people who know you best. They can offer advice or just listen to you, which can make all the difference in how you’re feeling. I found that during my wait for results, talking to my older sisters helped me so much, especially because they’d experienced the same anxiety. 

Write out lists to consider different outcomes

It’s easy to get caught up in the fear of the unknown, but taking some time to think through various outcomes can actually reduce your anxiety. Consider all the different scenarios and plan how you might handle each. When I’m in situations where there are multiple outcomes, I find that making lists can help me visualise the different outcomes. I think it can also stop you from over-worrying or obsessing over particular outcomes. Having a plan, even for unexpected results, can make the situation feel more manageable. 

Remember it's an opportunity for growth

Fear of the unknown is natural, but remember that every challenge you face is an opportunity for growth. Whatever the outcome, facing it with courage will help you build resilience and confidence in your ability to navigate future uncertainties. I failed my first year of A Levels, but in a way I think it did me good, I took my studies more seriously after that and ended up getting grades that I was much happier with. 

It’s important to remember that your results, good or bad, do not define your entire worth or potential.

It’s easy to let your experiences define you, but it’s important to remember that your results, good or bad, do not define your entire worth or potential. They are just one part of your journey. Remind yourself that your success is not dependent on a set of results. Try and maintain a positive perspective and focus on the bigger picture. 

I hope that by following some of these tips, you can manage your anxiety and approach results day with a calmer, more positive mindset.