Life After A Levels...

Another year of A Level results day has come and gone and it’s got me thinking about when I was in that position - wishing I’d known about the multiple options that could have led me to where I am now, much quicker. 

During my own results day, nerves completely consumed me. I vaguely remember before we started, the curriculum being changed which made the teachers panic and in turn, made us panic. It was all a bit of a mess. I mean, the grade boundaries weren’t even in our favour considering the circumstances.

I was so set on going to university that I think I would have gone to any, simply because it seemed like the only next step according to all the previous people I’ve known before me. 

Sure there were the odd few who went straight into work but it was always an anomaly and to be honest, didn't have the perceived prestige and glamour uni had. I was just about recovering from the insane jump from GCSEs to A Levels and then boom. Second year of A Levels hits you like a tonne of bricks. I remember so many of my peers dropping out or not being accepted into the second year. Some might say there was a lack of support, others might say it was pure luck that some of us managed to make it through. Whatever it was, I just about made it through.

For me, there’s always been immense pressure to perform well, especially as someone from an African background. Expectations are always through the roof when it comes to educational achievements. Subtle flex but I excelled in pretty much everything I had an interest in: drama, English or anything that required expression and performance — I've always been a little creative at heart. But in the other subjects, I was pretty average. 

After getting average results, I thought all hope was lost and I’d end up in a dead end job not being able to afford all the most important things in life: a phone, pink sports car with a drop top, latest shoes (!). I had no idea that I’d eventually find myself in a career I enjoy - working in marketing, learning new skills, and networking with great people.

And that’s the problem! Whether you get good results or not, there are plenty of options to explore and I wish I’d known sooner about apprenticeships.

As I reflect on this now, it’s clear that A Level results, while important in some ways, are not the be all and end all. The pressure to follow the traditional university route can be overwhelming, but it’s crucial to remember that it’s not the only path to success. Apprenticeships and other less conventional routes can be just as rewarding, if not more so depending on your goals and interests.

So, to anyone feeling disheartened by their results or simply unsure of their next steps, know that your journey is uniquely yours. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to building a career or finding your passion. Keep exploring, stay curious, and don’t be afraid to take a different route. Your path might not be linear, but that’s what makes it exciting.

And don’t forget—if you’re interested in exploring apprenticeships, head over to https://www.diversefutures.com/apprenticeship-programmes to check out the different options we have available. It could be the start of something amazing.