These are the most stressful weeks in the schools academic calendar – A level results are due out tomorrow and GCSE results next Thursday.

So how do you cope with the tension, and deal with the inevitable nerves as D-day looms?

After years of hard work and effort, some moments of gut wrenching trepidation are inevitable as you await results that determine your immediate future and career choices.

Anxiety, self doubt, panic and fear about the future are just some of the feelings you may go through in the next few days as your A level results are published.

Don't Panic! Be Prepared!

Have everything ready!

• Have your UCAS Track login details handy.

• Update your contact details if you need to.

• Make sure you're available on results day. UCAS want to speak to you. They cannot speak to anyone else about your application details unless you've given them nominated access to speak on your behalf.

• Have a plan. Have all the numbers and information handy so you are not racing around like a headless chicken when the time comes.

• Do your home work, check the websites of universities you have applied to for any specific clearing information and have your UCAS number and their contact details to hand just in case.

What happens?

• Hopefully you'll get the exam grades you need, but if you just miss out the university/college might accept you anyway.

• You might get a place on either your firm or insurance choice, depending how well your exams go.

• You might be offered an alternative by the university/college – a 'changed course offer' (which you'll need to accept or decline), or you won't get a place, but you can search through the UCAS Clearing service to see what courses have vacancies.

What if?

You do better than expected

• If you had a conditional firm offer you met and exceeded, you might be curious about courses with higher entry requirements.

• If so you can look at the UCAS Adjustment service.

Things didn't go to plan

• See vacancies in the UCAS Clearing service. There's often a wide range of courses still available, so it's worth seeing if there's anything you like the look of.

• Details of the University of Huddersfield clearing service can be found here.

Then if you’ve got a place

Congratulations! UCAS and your university will send you a letter confirming your place!

Make sure you check your confirmation letter – it will say if there's anything else you need to do, or if your university/college will be in touch with further instructions, maybe to provide proof of your qualifications or medical requirements for example.

Then all that's left is making sure any student finance arrangements are sorted, and prepare to start your studies.