Calling Results Helpline was cure for Abraham’s career plans

Achieving an A, three Bs and a C as Higher grades would be cause for celebration for many young Scots, but when 17 year old Abraham Al Ani received those results last August, he thought his plan to study medicine had flatlined. 

Abraham got in touch with the SDS Results Helpline, to get advice on his next steps. He said: “I called the helpline to see what advice and guidance I could get and the adviser was very calm when I explained my situation.

“They didn’t seem surprised about what had happened to me and had a very good understanding of what I was going through. They were able to answer my questions quickly and knew instantly about the various options open to me."

Added the St Ninian’s High School pupil: “I knew I had done the right thing by calling the helpline, because I was speaking to someone who really knowledgeable and helpful.”

Together, Abraham and the Helpline adviser looked at entry requirements for universities outside of Scotland and, while most had a minimum age requirement of 18 years old, the details about the types of grades they consider helped Abraham to put a plan in place.

Abraham explained: “I found out that, in other parts of the UK, universities focus on grades from National 5s and Advanced Highers from Scottish applicants. So, my conversation with the helpline adviser helped me decide that I should stay on at school for another year to take Advanced Highers.”

The Helpline adviser also gave Abraham guidance on the steps to appeal for his C grade in Mandarin, which was successful, and he was subsequently awarded a B.

When Abraham started sixth year after the holidays, he continued to get help from his SDS careers adviser in school, Beth McNeill.

Abraham said: “Initially, my careers adviser looked at the range of pathways that were available to study medicine, so that I knew all the options.

“My parents also helped to look at different opportunities, and the careers adviser was then able to look across these too, to help me consider each of them in more depth. We kept in touch, with regular check ins throughout the year.”

Abraham also took advice from his teachers about the Advanced Higher subjects to support university applications, choosing Biology, Chemistry and Maths.

Now Abraham, who regularly volunteers in the community, is feeling positive about his options, with a conditional place at Queen’s University Belfast and the offer of a scholarship to study Mandarin at Tianjin Normal University in China. 

Abraham said: “I will need all A grades to get into Queen’s University, but whatever happens with my results, I know I have options and will be able to do something positive to keep progressing and learning. I’m really excited about my future.”