Waiting for results: What to do while you’re in the in-between

You’ve done the hard bit. The exams are over, the pens are down, and you’ve walked out of the exam hall for the last time. Now comes the part nobody prepares you for: waiting.

At Tute, we know this stage can be just as tough as revision season, maybe tougher. There’s nothing to revise now, no papers to sit, just a clock ticking down to results day. So how do you get through the waiting without spiralling into overthinking or anxiety?

Here are five solid strategies to help you cope during the wait, because the next few weeks are still part of your journey.

Accept what you can’t control and focus on what you can

You can’t change your answers now. Worrying won’t rewrite your papers. Instead of spending energy dissecting what you might have done wrong, put that energy into things that do matter now: rest, reflection, and preparing for what’s next.

Strategy: Set boundaries with yourself. If you catch your brain looping on “what ifs”, write them down, then put the paper away. Acknowledge the thought, then move on.

Don’t rely on predictions. They don’t help

Whether it’s AI grade calculators, guesswork based on past papers, or obsessively checking exam boards’ social media, please stop! These methods offer the illusion of control, but they create false expectations. You either feel crushed when they’re wrong, or anxious trying to make them fit your performance.

Truth: Results come when they come. Anything before that is speculation, and speculation is stressful.

Create a routine: structure keeps you grounded

The shift from exam chaos to total freedom can feel great… for about three days. Then you’re stuck in a weird limbo. Having no structure often leads to more rumination and restlessness.

Try this:

• Pick a wake-up time and stick to it.
• Do one thing each day that challenges your brain (reading, coding, a new hobby).
• Do one thing that moves your body (walk, sport, gym).
• Do one thing that connects you to others (text a friend, help someone, join a group).

Talk to people but try not to compare

It’s helpful to talk to others in the same boat, unless it turns into comparison. “She thinks she got a 9 in Maths.” “He finished with 20 minutes to spare.” All this does is fuel doubt and insecurity.

Better approach: Talk about how you’re feeling, not what grades you think you’ll get. Focus on support, not speculation.

Plan for results day… have a Plan A, B and C!

Results day isn’t just about finding out your grades. It’s about knowing what comes next. If you get what you hoped for, fantastic. But you also need to be emotionally and practically prepared in case you don’t.

Be strategic:

• What’s your first choice next step (sixth form, college, apprenticeship)?
• What’s your backup?
• Who will you talk to on results day if things don’t go as planned? (Parent? Tute teacher? Careers adviser?)

Thinking about these options isn’t “being negative”, it’s being prepared. Power comes from planning, not panicking.

In summary

Waiting for your GCSE results is hard. There’s no shortcut through it. But you do have a choice in how you spend this time. Don’t let the waiting define you. Use it to build your resilience, recharge after the exam grind, and get ready for whatever comes next.

And remember: a set of grades doesn’t define your worth or your potential. Not even close.

We’re proud of you for getting this far, whatever happens!