COMMENT: University is not the only option for students

It will bring to an end weeks and months of worry for many.

For some, they will get the results they desired and will head off to university in the autumn for the next stage in life’s journey.

For others there will be heartache and pain. Heartache and pain of not achieving the grades they had hoped for - and therefore leaving them to consider other options as they go about achieving their goals.

For those who miss out today, while the pain will be raw at the moment they must remember that nowadays there are choices.

Choices which can be just as fruitful in the long term as pursuing the higher education route.

There are various different routes they can go along to help fulfil their goals.

I would never dream of advising anyone of not going to university.

But university is not everything.

I myself am an example of this.

Granted I didn’t pursue the higher education path through choice, but instead I progressed through further education - which did me no harm whatsoever.

Back then there weren’t the options available to me which are for today’s youngsters.

There are now other avenues to be explored. Avenues which can still help shape aspirations and ultimately help them on a successful journey in life.

If you don’t succeed today, there is always tomorrow. Life is all about opportunity and how we grasp it.

Good luck to everyone who will be receiving their results today - they deserve every success which comes their way, whichever path they go down.