How parents should prepare for A-level results day today

A Level results day is this week - and for teenagers across the country Thursday is The Big Day.

But Thursday 16th August won't just be nail-biting for those teenagers collecting their results - it's also a huge moment for you, the parents, the support team who has provided the revision snacks, emotional support, and countless lifts to the library.

After Thursday 16th August, no longer will you have to endure the constant questioning from your increasingly-anxious child: "But Mum, what if I have got a D in Biology?"

Whatever the outcome, you're going to need to be on hand for all sorts of emotional support. The offering of tissues/champagne/hugs (delete as appropriate) is critical, and should not be underestimated.

So, some advice. What to do - and what not to do - on the day. You're welcome.

To go or not to go

First, and most obviously, if you are near school or college on Results Day - and by that we mean, not on holiday and having a friend ring results through to home - consider whether your teenager wants you to go with them to collect their results or not.

You'll be the best judge of that, but it's worth asking how far away they want you to stay. You don't want to cramp their style.

If you do turn up... don't crowd

Step away from the groups of squealing teenagers. Give them a moment to swagger around together before diving in.

Come prepared

Not just with tissues, but with back-up plans. Your teen might be dead set on going to university - that university, no less - but it doesn't hurt to think about the other options. It doesn't tempt fate, it just makes you more prepared.

You can start with a quick look at our guide to Ucas Clearing a couple of days before - how about now? Does it look like there will be lots of available courses in your child's subject?

Perhaps university isn't the right option at all. Have you researched apprenticeships? Even if they seem unfashionable to your child, take a look. Our guide to apprenticeships is here.

The other word to know is 'Adjustment'. Your teen might have performed better than expected, and if they have, a little encouragement to push them toward an even better degree might be what the doctor ordered.

In any case, know when to back off and let them be happy with whatever they have chosen to do.

Don't worry too much about national trends

Early in the morning of results day, all the major news outlets will publish data on national trends. Have students done better or worse this year? Which subjects have seen a boost in their numbers, which have seen a decline? With the rise of social media, however, it's now become common practice for students - and of course parents - to fret wildly about what the trends could mean for them.

Last year, for example, the proportion of top grades (A* - As) fell by 0.1 percentage points, to 25.8 percent. "But Timmy needs a A to get into to his dream university!", was the thought presumably racing through the minds of parents around the country.

National trends are interesting, and you should absolutely read them (you will be able to do so on our Education section through the entire results period), but they're unlikely to have much bearing on your child's performance, so don't worry too much about what it means for you.

Don't panic

The day has finally arrived. If your child is lucky enough to get accepted into their chosen university, it will probably be an easy day of champagne and celebratory texts to family members.

But what if your child doesn't get the results they need? You don't need to panic.

Contrary to common belief, time is actually on your side. Your child doesn't have to decide immediately. You can afford to hold off slightly until the right decision has been made.

If Clearing is the way you're going to go, you will no doubt be anxious to get a move on. But you can't enter Clearing choices into Ucas Track until the afternoon of Results Day, so if you're feeling the pressure in the morning, and you're imagining hordes of other parents getting there before you, they're not. Have some lunch first - don't jump the gun.

When you're ready, you can help your child by using our guide to Clearing, which allows you to search through the thousands of available clearing spaces by course or by university. 

Don't be disheartened if your child does have to go through Clearing - lots of students, like Sheffield Hallam student Caitlin O'Mara - have described their Clearing experience as a huge success.

Don’t sugar-coat it

There’s being nice and there’s being supportive. There’s also being a parent. If your teenager hasn’t done as well as they would have liked, there’s a time and place for questions about what happened. Outside school is probably not this moment. They’re upset, you’re upset, and it’s reasonable that they might prefer to talk to Mr Hickling, head of maths, about their unforeseen B.

Seek advice

If the stress is getting to you (never mind them) then UCAS is handy for parents as well as would-be students. Their exam results helpline can be reached on 0808 100 8000, on Twitter @ERHelp, or on Facebook.

And finally...

Remember to pat yourself on the head when it's all done, however it goes. It is your child, of course, who deserves the lion's share of the praise (as they may well be keen to remind you), but they wouldn't have got there without your encouragement. Don't forget that.

A-Level results day Q&A

Got a question about A Levels or what to do next? Tomorrow, the Telegraph is hosting a special results day Q&A. Education expert and Good Schools Guide consultant Elizabeth Coatman will be on hand to offer advice on everything from clearing and adjustment to gap years and student finance, between 12pm and 2pm.

If you've got a question, you can either leave a comment ahead of time on the Q&A article page, join us tomorrow for the live session, or email your question to editorialcommunities@telegraph.co.uk.