Getting your exam results can be a nerve wracking time, and even more so if the results aren't what you hoped.
#NoWrongPath is a movement led by Developing the Young Workforce, aiming to inspire and reassure young people when receiving their exam results.
We speak to Sace Lockhart, Project Manager of Music Plus and Musicares at Scottish Music Centre, about his experience of school, and his journey after exam results. Don't miss our five tips and list of resources too!
A Drummer .
I failed all my exams first time round (including music). After resitting and passing some I became immersed in the hip hop culture of the 1980s. My main drive was to buy turntables and become a DJ so I tried to get the best paying job to achieve this, which was working as an accountant's assistant.
After I purchased my decks, I got sacked and worked in clothes shops while I put on my first club nights. This became successful for me and the money I made was put into recording equipment that I learned to produce with the band I was in at the time. I was fortunate enough to have three major label record and publishing deals and learned about the industry quickly! After being spat out the other side of label deals, I began teaching DJ’ing to community groups which led on to become a workshop leader and mentor designing and authoring courses to engage young people, which is where I am now!
Make the most of your opportunities.
Of course, I offer different advice to each individual however I still think there is a lack of knowledge from schools about the Creative Industries. There are so many career paths people can choose that they are unaware of, and they can often be shoehorned into “safe” jobs. If a young person is creative, we should nurture and encourage this and that’s what our projects do hopefully! I have made a career out of music and failed it in school, in my experience nobody ends up doing exactly what they trained for so preparing young people to have a flexible approach to learning different skills is important!
Don’t rush into decisions. You may be overwhelmed with emotions and tempted to jump on decisions, but first, take a breather - play it Lento and not Prestissimo!
Your performance in exams doesn’t make you lesser or greater than your peers. There are plenty of people who have been in your position that followed different paths to success. You don’t always have to follow the sheet music - improv is a thing!
Speak to someone about your worries! It’s important that you don’t bottle up your feelings. Whether you need someone to just listen to you or help guide a pathway, they can help you. This may include parents, guardians, teachers, and advisors.
Some things are better strummed than plucked. Know where your strengths lie and look at the diverse pathways that use your strengths to your advantage
Every individual has a different route they can take and there is no right or wrong path. Just as there are many genres and ways to engage with music, so are there many options for pursuing education and career opportunities.
I didn’t get the grades I need – what do I do now? - The Education Hub (blog.gov.uk)
What to Do if You Don’t Get the Grades You Need | Top Universities
A Guide to Press & Media by Tallah Brash.pdf (squarespace.com)
Discover! Creative Careers - Creative and Cultural Skills (ccskills.org.uk)
