I’d be lying if I said that as my own results day approached it didn’t feel like the sword of Damocles was looming just over my head. Maybe not everyone, but many students have their own experiences waiting for that fateful day. It’s human, we freak out about the unknown (and to be fair, it can feel like you are waiting for your fate to be sealed). But here we are! No matter how results day was, no matter what happened, we moved on to university; and trust me, so will you.

Why do we care so much?

So, as of writing this many of you will be weighing up those all-important UCAS offers to try land on a firm and insurance choice. The conditions of those offers sounds daunting, it relates your final grade to university… the list goes on. Let me stop you right there. We worry about results day because we care so much about what’s just around the corner. As someone who really loves to daydream (and plan) ahead, the notion of anything changing what I was so looking forward to is terrifying. I remember feeling the same way in the days before I would get my results. In hindsight there are many ways that you can make things work out, even if they don’t exactly go to plan. So maybe (…definitely) I had nothing to worry about.

Find out more about Film Studies at Queen's

The (not so) big day…

Confession, I got my results back in 2023. Yeah… Just writing that made me feel old. Being from the Republic of Ireland, I got my results later in August after I sat my Leaving Certificate in June. We got them online on the State Examinations Commission portal. My own ones appeared earlier than they were meant to. I recall waking up,  literally opening the website on my phone and there it was, at 9 a.m. Very anticlimactic, totally not worth the stress.

Hopefully that anecdote can demystify what seems like a life-defining moment. Because it really isn’t. Following my results, I had to wait a week to get a clear picture of my university options before making my choice. Ultimately, I found myself on a gap year, where I was employed and making films, and reapplying to university. I can’t say it enough, please don’t worry yourself sick over results day. There are many paths to uni. I wasn’t familiar with clearing, but from starting here I have heard stories from people who applied through clearing, for a multitude of different reasons.

Plus, you might not be “stuck” with whatever degree you choose in Queen’s, should you realise that what you thought you wanted to do before you had even left school isn’t for you. I have friends who are internally transferring. What I’m trying to say is, results are not as life or death as we can convince ourselves they are.

Going to the Belfast Media Festival as a student delegate

Play it cool

We’ve established that while results day is important, it’s not worth the sense of impending doom, perfect. I guess right about now you’re thinking “well then Chloe how do I avoid that” (Really sarcastically, of course). Well…

It’s a mindset shift, but the best thing I found to help me alleviate my results day fears was good company and something to do. Going out for a coffee with a sibling, friend or parent, or taking a pet on a walk are great starting points (can’t say I verbatim did either but hey, I had other plans). Me and some of my friends met up the day before. Started with a coffee, then we went for a walk, somewhere along the way got dinner and ended the day going to a late night showing of Oppenheimer on 80mm film. I genuinely believe that I would have been way worse off as I started clocking the hours till results came out if I didn’t spend the day with my friends.

Shooting my first year film

Good distractions, a good environment and good company really make all the difference. Especially when you’ve set such high expectations on yourself that what’s coming is terrifying. Agree not to talk about the day ahead and just enjoy whatever you’ve planned when you’re out with people. Sounds obvious, but the more you hype something up the more anxiety you’ll cause yourself. Maybe even playing a videogame or calling with friends is an idea, since moving away that’s done me the world of good.

Same with results day, do something nice. Any parents/guardians/carers reading, if there are no other plans, organise maybe a nice meal or something that your family do that always makes everyone happy, something celebratory and fun! Not everyone wants to go out and eat, felt. Or you can organise to do stuff with friends you haven’t seen, or, if you like quiet time after all the excitement of the morning, take yourself out for a hot/iced drink and a sweet treat (these will become staple in uni). Regardless of how the morning goes, you should be so proud and reward yourself as you deserve. You made it through those exams, you did incredibly well just to get here and now what you’ve been looking forward to is coming into reach.

Some of the sweet treats that got me through the year!

Where will life take you next?

The worst is over! Regardless how you’re getting here, if you’re reading this (I think) it’s a safe assumption that you’re considering Queen’s. As you should! While I could have done everything differently when I finished secondary school, if I did, I wouldn’t be here. I had no idea about the course I’m on until October/November.

Film Society formal

Yes, everyone chooses universities for different reasons; what sold it for me was…

1. My course: Okay, I admit film studies scared me, but there were some interesting niches, like the film studio we do our practical modules in and the fact that animation studies is an option, that were a no-brainer for me. And I could not have imagined the incredible year I was about to have! From making the best friends, to some of the great class memories I have (and you can see without context).

2. Belfast: I’m a city girl. I said it. I love so many differing cities. But Belfast’s city centre, to me gave the feeling of a big metropolitan city even with the mix of stylistically older buildings and new high rises. Also, Queen’s Quarter is stunning no matter the weather!

3. The Students' Union: Student democracy is a big thing here, and rightly so, there’s 25,000 of us studying here. The Queen’s SU does a lot for the student body (there’s a reason it was a WhatUni Choice Awards top 3 SU in 2024). From celebrating societies and student achievement to the range of support for cost of living, advice, wellbeing; to the iconic One Elmwood building. What made me come to Queen's was the SU.

SU Awards

And here we are, end of the academic year. As someone who loves being involved, I have been lucky enough to get to take part in a lot of student life from the SU voice angle. I was a course rep this year, where I worked to voice the opinions of my peers on what is good about and what needed improvement in our course. I attended both the SU election results and the SU awards this year. They are some of my highlight memories from the year. The SU understands every assignment. 

Finally

I know how scary exams and their subsequent results are. But you’ve got this reader. And don’t underestimate the power of good company. 

If I leave you with one thing, I hope it’s that whatever happens, you can get where you want to go, because there’s a crazy number of paths to get there. Good luck with your work, enjoy your summer. If you’re in AEL next year you’re probably going to see or hear from me enough to be sick of me by the end of it but hey, see you in September! 

Find out more

Film Studies and Production at Queen's

Navigating the path to university

How to Deal With Anxiety Before Results Day

Chloe O'Malley Film Studies and Production | Undergraduate Student | Kildare, ROI Dia dhuit, ciao, salut… Hiya! I’m Chloe, an Undergrad Film student and AEL Undergrad Rep (2025)! I’m from Kildare, even if my accent disagrees… I’ve been involved in as much as I can while studying here in Queen’s, I’m in a bunch of societies (Film, Choral, Players, Taylor Swift, Teddy Bear Hospital…) and sports (basketball, tennis…). I enjoy a random selection of things, clearly; especially languages, reading and writing- casually to academically! If you can’t tell I’m a massive yapper, an ambitious gal and super friendly too! When I’m not in class you will probably (definitely) find me wandering around, in a café, or at the SU. Point is, I’m always about, so chances are you’ll spot me somehow. Be it with a book, sketchpad or with my phone out in true influencer fashion. My being in Queen’s now definitely feels like a bit of the butterfly effect, and the journey to getting here had it’s challenges. But I wouldn’t change it for the world, and hopefully you won’t either! See ya around :]