Dear Auntie,
I’m a second year A-levels student, whose first-year results just came out. It was totally not up to my expectations, and it has left me really depressed and anxious. I’ve been extremely confused and have been constantly overthinking since the results came out.

There are almost a thousand things on my mind. Should I get the paper rechecked? Should I give a retake? Should I repeat the whole year or just move forward with my current result? All these insane thoughts are eating me up from the inside.

I’ve never felt this bewildered before. I’ve always been an A and A* grade student and my A-level result has terribly demotivated me. Some days, I want to work really, really hard to improve and show everyone that I can do it and, on others, I just want to give up, bury my face into a pillow and weep. I know what I need to do to improve but I’m unable to get the disappointing result out of my head and move forward!
I desperately need your kind advice.
Anxious and Depressed

‘My A-Level Grades Were a Disaster’

Dear Anxious and Depressed
First of all, know that you are not the only one who’s been thrown off by their A-level grades. Results day can shake up even the most confident of students, especially if you’ve always been used to doing well. Every year, Auntie hears from the brightest students who are shocked by their grades.

The most important thing to remember is that your grades do not define you. They are not the sum total of your ability. At the same time, A-level results do carry weight when it comes to university applications, so it’s wise to pause and think carefully about your next move.

The most difficult option would be to repeat the year, but it could be the most strategic option, especially if your grades are much lower than what your dream universities require.

If you feel your result is drastically different from your expectations (for example, if you were expecting an A and got a D), think about a recheck. However, this is usually expensive and, in my experience, the marks are sometimes (only sometimes!) adjusted. And when they are, the changes are small.

Retaking papers may be an option if you know you didn’t prepare fully for a particular subject. Universities are used to seeing retakes and what matters most is your final grade.

The most difficult option would be to repeat the year, but it could be the most strategic option, especially if your grades are much lower than what your dream universities require. Think of it as the chance to build a stronger foundation.

Right now, you are swinging between wanting to fight and wanting to give up. That’s natural but, eventually, you’ll need to make peace with what has happened and get down to taking action. Repeating a year is not failure. It is an investment into building a stronger foundation for the future.

And please, be kind to yourself. Cry if you need to but don’t stay stuck there. Go out, talk to people you trust, and then make a clear plan with the help of your teachers and parents. Good luck.

Disclaimer: If you or someone you know is in crisis and/or feeling suicidal, please go to your nearest emergency room and seek medical help immediately.

Auntie will not reply privately to any query. Please send concise queries to: auntieagni@gmail.com

Published in Dawn, EOS, August 24th, 2025