10 Tips for Parents on Results Day 2025

From Sue Alder, CDI Head of Professional Development and Standards 

1. Stay Calm and Positive… 

Your child will likely feel anxious, even if they don’t show it. Model calmness and optimism, reassuring them that results are important, but are not the only measure of success or route to their future. 

2. Be Prepared for Different Outcomes 

Discuss various scenarios getting the grades, missing out slightly, or needing to consider alternatives - without catastrophising. This helps reduce panic on the day.   

3. Know Key Dates and Times 

Ensure you both know when and how results will be released (typically from 8 am on Results Day) and UCAS Track updates (usually from 8:15 am). Bookmark relevant websites and have login details ready. 

4. Don’t Log in for Them! 

However tempting, let your child check their own results. It’s their journey. Be there to support them, not take control. 

5. Understand UCAS

Familiarise yourself with key terms like Firm and Insurance offers, Clearing and Deferral. This background knowledge will allow you to guide them or at least stay informed during university discussions. 

6. Have Plan B (and C) Ready 

Discuss alternative routes, such as different universities via Clearing, degree apprenticeships, foundation year courses, HNCs and HNDs, or taking a gap year. This avoids scrambling if things don't go to plan.  

7. Be a Good Listener 

Let them talk - without interrupting or offering solutions too quickly. Acknowledge their feelings, whether they’re happy, disappointed, or confused. 

8. Avoid Comparisons

Do not compare their results to siblings, friends, or anyone else. Every student's path is unique. 

9. Celebrate Effort, Not Just Results 

No matter the grades, praise their hard work, resilience, and how far they’ve come - especially after a challenging few years 

10. Know Where to Get Help

Be aware of support options: school or college careers advisers, the UCAS Helpline, the National Careers Service, and university admissions hotlines. Encourage them to make the call, but be there for support.  

PANEL:  

Seek Impartial, Expert Careers Advice: A professional careers advisor provides objective, tailored guidance based on your strengths, interests, and the job market.  

Each UK nation has a public careers service that offers free, confidential advice via helpline and webchat. Your school's careers advisor is also there to help. And you can also access private career development support – you can find a qualified careers adviser via the CDI register UK Register of Career Development Professionals. 

Public careers services  

• England: National Careers Service - https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/ 

• Scotland: Skills Development Scotland - https://www.skillsdevelopmentscotland.co.uk/what-we-do/scotlands-careers-services 

• Wales: Careers Wales - https://careerswales.gov.wales/ 

• Northern Ireland: Careers Service  - https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/careers 

For additional tools and resources on next steps, you can check out our handy guide here.