An hourglass sits on the beach, framed by a clear blue sky, symbolizing the passage of time in a serene setting

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More than a mark: how to find yourself in the post-exam wait

Amy Smith

Final-year International Development student and Student Life Content Creator

08 June 2026

I’m Amy, a final year BA International Development student, and I’m currently – like many of you – in the anxiety-inducing position where I have finished my coursework and exams, but am still awaiting the results. This can be a super nerve-wracking time, but I am here to share some food for thought for managing that anxiety and finding the bigger picture.

While waiting for your results, it is totally understandable that you will be overthinking, replaying past mistakes, or imagining the worst. In this state, it’s important to recognise that your brain has a bias towards worst-case thinking. The best you can do to keep this in check is to reintroduce routine, maintain good sleep hygiene, and move your body. Easier said than done, I know, but if you can be disciplined with just one thing – like getting to bed on time each night – then that negative voice in your head has less vulnerability to feed on.

Uncertainty causes problems for us when we perceive some level of potential threat, in the future, to us and our wellbeing. We worry about the uncertainty of our results because they’re important to us. However, just because there is uncertainty in your life, it does not mean you can’t take control and plan. By keeping your focus on the things that are in your control, one day at a time, any negative emotions around this will start to feel more manageable."– Sarah Dhupar, Faculty Wellbeing Advisor

Another crucial recommendation to curb the anxiety is to get outside. And what better time than now: London has been scorching hot with beautiful blue skies recently – think just how much you were begging for this last exam season in the winter! What about a picnic with friends at Primrose Hill? A woodland stroll at Highgate Wood? Or maybe a bike ride along Regent’s Canal?

A sign labeled Queen Wood's Cafe and Community Garden positioned along a path surrounded by greenery

Or maybe you’ve already packed up and gone home for the holidays, be it somewhere else in the UK or abroad. Try to appreciate the time you now have with your family and home friends after a year of hard graft. What about your hometown or city did you really miss, in retrospect, and what can you do now to honour being back? My hometown in Leeds is much quieter than London, and I’ve been seeing the peace and quiet in a new light since coming home.

It’s easy to forget after so many months of being in the library that, although your results are yet to come, you are now free from classes and assignments! Try to enjoy this time of uncertainty by doing something you had wanted to do while studying, but didn’t have the time to prioritise. For me, it was painting – something that had been sitting on the backburner for years, waiting for a slower pace of life to make it possible again. What could be your hobby to pick up?

Alongside these practical tips, I think it is also crucial to remember that while what grades you get are bound to impact you, they are not the be-all and end-all of your career, and especially not your life. In today’s labour market, an employer’s decision is much more nuanced than your degree classification. Practical experience often goes much further, being what you speak about in your job application and interview, while personality and charisma are really the ultimate deciding factors.

Beyond the job market, though, I invite you to think about who you are beyond your academic performance. The real fear underneath all of this is rarely “what if I failed” – it’s “what does it say about me if I did?”.

Your grades can tell a story about your performance in a particular set of circumstances, but they cannot tell the full story of your character, your potential, or your worth. The qualities that will sustain you throughout life – kindness, resilience, curiosity, integrity, and courage – don't disappear because of a disappointing result."– Sarah Dhupar, Faculty Wellbeing Advisor

The thing is, this waiting period, uncomfortable as it is, might be the first moment in years where your worth isn’t being measured in the background of your life. No rubrics, no deadlines, no stress to live up to a certain mark. Hidden within that freedom is a rare opportunity: the chance to focus on yourself. What will you make of yourself now?

And if you're finding the wait particularly tough, don't hesitate to reach out to Faculty Wellbeing Advisors, King’s Wellbeing team, or KCLSU Advice for help.