For Tehrim Rashid, achieving the A levels she needed to secure her university place has come as a huge relief following all the stresses of the pandemic.

Tehrim found out she had received an A for physics and maths, and a B for chemistry, when she visited Leeds Sixth Form College on A level results day.

Those results mean she can now start a degree in Physics with Medical Physics at UCL (University College London), which was her preferred higher education destination.

Support key to overcoming difficulties

She said: “It’s been two very difficult years for me and I’m so happy to have got the results I needed to get into my favourite university. I’m happy, proud of my achievements, and relieved.

“I’m going to celebrate with my family and friends. My family supported me a lot – and my teachers at Leeds Sixth Form College have been so nice and helpful.

“Lockdown has been a challenge. I was working towards my exams and kind of panicked at first when they were cancelled.

“I’ve had a great time here and now I’m looking forward to university.

“For anyone who is about to start their A levels this year, I’d say work hard and ask the teachers for help when you need it.”

She added: “After university I would love to work in hospitals – or in nanotechnology, which I’m really interested in.”