I was interviewed last Sunday on BBC Radio Essex about the troubles faced by young people as their results are published. I pointed out a number of things.
They should remember that it is the older generation of so-called grown ups who have brought this about. The number of young people and the number of places for them in universities etc have not been changed by Covid-19.
They should avoid rushing into anything until they have looked around more widely. Eighteen-year-olds have another sixty years or so in which to achieve things, to show the rest of the world just how good they are.
Things can change suddenly and dramatically. Failure is not the end of the world – we can learn from it. I failed English literature the year I left school and went on to become an examiner for that same subject.
Finally, they should do what young people are very good at – show resilience, determination and flexibility.