'These exam results do not define you'

Results envelopes were collected across the county on Thursday

An adolescent psychologist has said it is important parents remind their children that exam results "do not define" them.

Angela Cook, from Banbury, said she used several strategies to help her daughter and her friends cope with their anxiety around results day.

Her daughter Dee Karanja, 18, said she had not been nervous at all before going to collect her results at Chenderit School in Middleton Cheney.

Ms Cook said: "I ask students, remind yourself that this is only a snapshot of the whole of who you are, you are so much bigger than this."

Angela Cook is a child and adolescent psychologist and mother

Thousands of students received A-level, T-level, BTec Nationals and other Level 3 results on Thursday.

"One of the most simple strategies that I ask students to use is actually to stop, and take three deep breaths," Ms Cook said.

"We are not saying it's not important, it is important but it's not the whole thing.

"You remind yourself that my self worth is not tagged to a result."

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Dee achieved a distinction in Health and Social Care, a merit in Food Science and a U in Psychology.

She said she had wanted to drop Psychology for quite a while: "The fact I even did the papers was good for me."

Now she is planning to do a Natural Sciences degree online at The Open University, as she wanted to stay at home.

"Whatever you feel that would help you, if it's good for you, it's good for you," she said.

Dee, Maddie and Lauren are all moving on to university

Dee's friend Maddie said she was so nervous last night that she felt sick, but got the grades she needed to study nursing at Bournemouth.

Lauren did not get the grades she needed to attend Bristol University, but said she now intends to go through clearing.

"It was quite disappointing but it is what it is and everything happens for a reason," she said.

"Maybe this is what I was meant to do... and it will lead on to better things."

While Ms Cook acknowledged the irony in her daughter getting a U in Psychology, she said it is her job to support Dee on her own chosen path.

"She did well in the subjects she really wants to do and my job is... to support her skills and her strengths.

"I wish all of us as parents could do that."