Exam results 2022: What next if you stammer?

Whatever exam grades you get this month, don't let fears about stammering hold you back from making the next steps.

If you're in Scotland and you're getting your National 5, Higher/Advanced Higher exam results this week, or if you're getting your A-Level or GCSE results later this month, you might be feeling pretty anxious right now. 

Whether you're going to sixth form, college or university; you're looking for your first job; or if you're just about to start work, we're here to support you no matter what grades you get. See the headers below for whatever position you're in.

Need to talk?

Didn't get the results you hoped for and want to talk to someone? Do you hate using the phone because of your stammer? Maybe you're worried about the next steps or have questions. Talk to us. Start a webchat or call our helpline free on 0808 802 0002.

Everyone on our webchat/helpline team either has a stammer or has a close connection to it, so they know what it's like.

Going to uni, college or sixth form?

University

If you're starting university in the autumn, see our pages Getting help At University & College and Socialising At University for tips on coping and making the most of it. 

Listen to a Freshers Week episode of our podcast Around the Block, with hosts Gemma and Matty chatting about starting uni and how they felt about meeting new people and socialising.

See the Stammerers Through University Consultancy (STUC) website. STUC is an organisation which supports students who stammer in higher education. Claire, the founder of STUC, is there to help, so contact her through the site if you have any questions.

Read about others who have been there. In our Your Voice section, we've got loads of articles from people sharing their experiences and tips on coping and having a great time at uni.

Schools & College

See also our School and College pages to find out what support is available for you there. You can also read about how others have worked with their teachers or tutors to make a safe space for their stammers.

Looking for a job?

Job interviews can be daunting, especially if you stammer. But don't let it stop you from going for the career you want. 

Head over to our Job Hunting & Interviews page for advice and encouragement, as well as things you can show employers to make interviews easier for you. We also added some advice from a careers adviser: 'Job hunting — some tips and a few pitfalls'.

Having a stammer doesn't mean you can't be what you want to be.

starting a job/apprenticeship?

Starting a new job or apprenticeship is exciting but scary for some. See our Stammering At Work page for information about asking for reasonable adjustments, disclosing your stammer, meetings and video calls, as well as using the phone in the workplace. 

We've got loads of stories and articles about coping at work from people who stammer. Go to our Your Voice section to read them.

Go for it

Finally, keep in mind that there are successful people who stammer in every profession: scientists, teachers, actors, singers, even the President of the United States. They've all been in the position you're in right now. And they've gone on to prove that having a stammer doesn't mean you can't be what you want to be.

Share your thoughts

Are you worried about going to college, university or looking for a job? Why not share what's on your mind? Our Your Voice articles really help and inspire others going through the same thing. Find out how you can write for the site.

Join us — become a STAMMA member for free and help us create a better world for people who stammer.

This article has been updated from the original piece posted in August 2021.