THOUSANDS of students across Dorset and Hampshire are set to receive their long-awaited GCSE results today.

While many will progress to their chosen sixth forms or colleges, for others it will be an anxious time if results are not quite what they expect.

The Association of Colleges has produced advice for teenagers to follow once they have collected the all-important envelopes.

• Confirm your place. Once you've got your results, make sure you contact the college or training provider where you want to study to confirm your place.

• Seek out advice. If you haven’t quite got the grades you wanted, don’t panic. Talk to your school or local college and ask for advice about all the options out there – there will be a course or training programme that is right for you.

• Consider all the options. The choice is yours.

• Research apprenticeships. They are a great way to earn and learn. Many local and national companies now offer apprenticeships and you can search for them at gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship. You will work and earn while spending time learning your trade at college too.

• GCSE English and maths. If you didn’t achieve a grade C or above in GCSE English and maths, you will retake these subjects alongside any other qualifications you do. Colleges will be able to support you through this.

Catherine Sezen, Senior Policy Manager for 14-19 and Curriculum at the Association of Colleges (AoC), said: "This may seem like a really scary time as you are moving on to something new. Choosing the next steps in education and training can seem like a big decision.

"By staying calm and making sure you have access to information about all the options available to you, you’ll be able to make the best decision for your future."