There’s just days to go until A level results day and no doubt thousands of students across the UK will be anxiously waiting to see if they’ve made the grade.

For most it will be a cause for celebration as learners get the results they need to secure their first choice university. But what happens if that all-important envelope doesn’t contain the news they hoped for?

SRC Bede Sixth Form’s Careers Co-ordinator, Alice Atkinson, said: “If you get the grades you need to meet the terms of your university offer then congratulations. If not, then stay calm, there are people on hand to help you and if it’s a near-miss universities may still accept you.”

Here Alice offers some top tips:

1. Check your UCAS Track profile

This is an online system where students can check the progress of their university application. Most will have been updated first thing on results day and while it won’t tell you your results, it will tell you whether your place at university has been confirmed. If Track doesn’t have a decision, contact the university and ask for confirmation.

2. Don’t panic

Give the university a call; if it’s a near-miss your subject tutor might be able to give you a reference over the phone.

3. Check your second choice

If you haven’t been accepted at your first choice university check your insurance offer. If neither is able to offer you a place you are eligible to enter Clearing, the process through which you can search and apply for university places. Clearing vacancies are listed in the Search facility of the UCAS website. The majority of people who enter Clearing find a place.

4. Make an informed decision

Stay composed and think about what you want to achieve, think about what subject you want to study, don’t just choose a course because it’s there. You can look at Clearing vacancies now on the university websites to get an idea of what’s available and where.

Once you have found a Clearing place you like the sound of go on to the university’s own website to check the course details and what the university has to offer. If you are going to be living away from home for three years you want to find the right place for you.

5. Call the Clearing helpline

If you still like the sound of the course and university, ring the university’s Clearing helpline. You need to quote your Clearing ID number which will be on your Track profile and have a copy of your UCAS application and results to hand. Stay calm and focused as you may be given a short interview over the phone.

6. Don’t delay

Clearing officially runs into September, but it is a first-come-first-served system. Many places will be allocated in the first few days.

7. Consider your options

If you don’t find the right place for you, there is always next year. Do something really productive in the time in between, such as work experience, volunteering or further training, to really enhance your application.