I'm not really one for emotional posts (That is a lie) but I go my Exam Results today from College, to preface this I want to go into a bit of background. I've struggled a lot through the last 7 years with severe anxiety and panic attacks which has caused me a lot of issues. My attendance at school in particular suffered which caused a lot of bullying, the lowest it got was around 35% attendance which is pretty fucking low. I moved schools in Third year but it didn't change a thing but I stumbled across a subject I really enjoyed by complete chance because the teacher needed more pupils to get the proper funding, I focused all my time and energy on it and sat my exam and passed with a B leaving school with only 3 other Standard Grades. This was enough to get into College and I've been there for 2 years now and managed to completely turn my life around and finally be who I've always wanted to be and not pretend to be someone I'm not. Now most Universities want applicants for my subject to have a B in their final portfolio for the year to get an Unconditional offer for entry, lower grades will be considered but are unlikely to get in.
Today I was emailed my results and I've gotten an A which is the highest marks you can get (We don't have A Star or A+ here). After 7 years of being drilled into my head that I'll never get to University by teachers, therapists and bullies I've had this bombshell dropped onto my lap. I've never had this before, I have always had the bare minimum and never had any choice, I've basically took whatever I was given but things are different now. I can do whatever I want, I go do another year at College, I can start at first year at Uni, I can start at second year of Uni because of my A grade, I can take a gap year, I can go start working in the industry. I have a choice for once. It may not be a big deal to some people but for me its like my entire future has opened up in front of me.