04/08/2026
Today, many young people across Scotland have opened their exam results. This may have brought feelings of excitement, pride, disappointment, uncertainty, or a mixture of everything.
As parents and carers, our instinct may be to quickly reassure them by saying, “Don’t worry” or “It will all work out.”
Those words come from a place of love. But sometimes the most supportive thing we can do is pause, listen and allow young people to feel what they feel.
Taking time to acknowledge those feelings can help young people feel heard and understood before they begin to think about what comes next.
University, College, Apprenticeships, Employment or another route may all be the right path. What matters is helping young people understand who they are, recognise their strengths and feel confident in the choices they make. With love, strong relationships and the right support around them, they can find a path that feels right for them and the future they hope to build.
Results may influence the next step, but they do not define a young person’s potential.
There is no wrong path.
