Act fast

Avoid getting ratted to celebrate until you've sorted out your next step. You'll need to act swiftly in the scrum that always kicks in post-results, but your excellent results can only help you through it.

Speak up

Talk to your form tutor at school or college or your careers advisor. They can clap you on the back, and then help you to review your options.

Register for adjustment

Adjustment is the term for the formal process now available to candidates who got higher grades than expected. It means registering on the UCAS website so universities know you want to try for another place and can view your application. To qualify for adjustment, your results must meet and exceed that of your conditional firm offer. You have a very limited amount of time to register and secure a place on an alternative course if you want to, usually five days from the day your offer changes from conditional firm (CF) to unconditional firm (UF). This tends to be on the day your results come out. The Adjustment period ends on 31 August.

If you don't get on to a better course, you won't lose your original choice.

Dig out your UCAS application number and call the UCAS helpline (tel: 0871 468 0 468) or the National Results Helpline (tel: 0808 100 8000), where there are careers advisors who can help you with your next step.

Take a breather

This is a good option if you need time to regroup, and apply for the right course next year through UCAS. Use your time off wisely, with a gap year or getting a new job, and it'll give you a chance to build up your CV with travel and work experience.

Updated: 18/07/2011