When results day doesn’t go to plan…
What happens when it doesn’t go to plan?
Kat, the Future Frontline Healthcare Professionals Co-Director, shares her experience of A-Level results day.
On A-level Results Day 2018, I woke up nervous, as is to be expected! My mum drove me to my sixth form but on the way, UCAS updated and I saw that I hadn’t gotten into either my first or second choice of university to study dentistry. I cried, my mum cried, my personal tutor cried, and no one expected that I wouldn’t get in! My results were by no means bad, BBB, but just not the AAA required for dentistry.
I called the universities I had applied to, and some I didn’t, but their courses were now full so I had to think what I wanted to do next. I hadn’t thought of what I would do if I didn’t get in, I was so self-confident that I didn’t even think of coming up with a backup! I went home and had to think about my next steps. Do I want to retake my A-levels or do something else at university, like an alternative course? My phone rang and it was Sheffield University, my original 2nd choice. They offered me an unconditional place on an alternative course called ‘dental hygiene and dental therapy’. I didn’t know what a dental therapist was at this point! The woman on the phone said I had until the end of the month to decide and I could come down to Sheffield to have a look at the course and talk to some current students. So I did some research and visited the university and thought I would take the plunge! I figured the course was in the field of dentistry and if it wasn’t suitable for me, I could always go back to university and become a dentist.
When I started university, I found out that I wasn’t the only person in this position! There were actually 4 of us who initially had a place for dentistry but were now studying dental therapy.
Jump forward 3 years to 2021 and I graduated! I completely fell in love with the job and adore what I do. I now work across practices in Manchester and still love my job, so very grateful for the opportunity given to me by Sheffield. I don’t want to become a dentist in the future but that is still an option if I ever change my mind.
Sometimes it doesn’t go the way you expect or plan, and sometimes this works out just the way it should!
My top tips for results day are:
Have a plan - don’t expect it to go wrong but if it doesn’t go your way - know what your next steps are!
Try not to panic - easier said than done - but panic will cloud your thoughts - stick to your plan
Have a support system around you - family, friends, teachers - who can support you through the day
Good luck! Even if it doesn’t go to plan, this is not the end of a healthcare career! You never know where you’ll end up …….
