Kent: A-Levels Results Day
Teenagers across Kent are today waking up to the A-level results which will allow them to make the big decisions that will shape their future.
For many, success in the exams will mean a prized place at university, an apprenticeship or other training scheme, while those who achieved less than expected are likely to be considering their options.
Last summer, the proportion of A-levels scoring at least an A grade fell for the first time in more than 20 years.
Official figures for 2012 showed that, across the country, 26.6% of the exams were given an A or A*, down from 27% in 2011 - a record drop of 0.4%.
Around one in 12 (7.9%) exams were given an A* grade, down from 8.2% in 2011, while 76.6% of entries got at least a C grade, up from 76.2% the year before.
Tens of thousands of would-be undergraduates without a university place are likely enter the clearing process - which matches them with courses that have vacancies. Last year, a record 55,700 people accepted places through clearing, up 8.9% on the year before.
And 1,300 applications were accepted through the ''adjustment'' system - more than double the previous year.
Adjustment allows those who have got better-than-expected results to effectively trade up to a different course or university.
UCAS, the admissions service, said that according to its latest figures, applications have risen by 3.1%, with more students holding offers and more people already securing a place compared to the same time last year.
Students can start looking for courses with vacancies on the UCAS website immediately, and can make official clearing choices from 5pm today, but should call institutions beforehand to discuss courses and whether there are places available, UCAS said.
Greenwich University, which has a campus in Medway, has created this film to guide you through the clearing process.
If you haven't got the results you wanted or you don't think university is for you, there are lots of other options, as well as websites and organisations you can go to for help and advice.
Check out the links below.
Kent County Council's Apprentices Site
Medway Youth Trust Results Service