20 Inspirational Results Day Quotes for Students

Results day is a milestone that brings with it a whirlwind of emotions. Whether you're opening your GCSE or A Level results, it's perfectly normal to feel a mix of anticipation and excitement. 

Thousands of students across the country are going through similar emotions. I sat my A Level exams over a decade ago, but I can vividly remember the feelings of nervous excitement in the days leading up to results day. 

It’s important to know that, no matter what the outcome, your results don’t define you as a person. We’ve compiled some of our favourite inspirational results day quotes to help bring you some reassurance, hope and motivation. 

Results Day Quotes to Celebrate Success

1. "Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out."
   — Robert Collier
   

2. "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams."
   — Eleanor Roosevelt
   

3. “I never dreamed about success. I worked for it.”
   –– Estée Lauder
   

4. "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined."
   — Henry David Thoreau
   

5. “Success is no accident. It is hard work, perseverance, learning, sacrifice, and most of all, love of what you are doing.”
   –– Pele

Results Day Quotes to Offer Comfort and Reassurance

6. "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts."
   

7. "I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work."
   — Thomas Edison
   

8. "Sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck."
   — Dalai Lama
   

9. "It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up."
   — Vince Lombardi
   

10. "Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising every time we fail."
    

Results Day Quotes on Resilience and Mindset

11. "Believe you can and you’re halfway there."
    

12. "Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start."
    

13. "I’m not afraid of storms, for I’m learning how to sail my ship."
    — Louisa May Alcott
    

14. "You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think."
    

15. "Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently."
    — Henry Ford
    

16. "A setback is a setup for a comeback."
    

Results Day Quotes About Education

 17. "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."
— Nelson Mandela

18. "The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus character—that is the goal of true education."
— Martin Luther King Jr.

19. "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire."

20. "Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today."
— Malcolm X

How to Use Motivational Quotes

Motivational quotes aren’t just a one-time pick-me-up ahead of results day –– they can become part of your daily routine. Here’s how you can make the most of them:

• Journalling: Write your favourite quotes in a notebook or diary to reflect on when you need encouragement.

• Daily Affirmations: Use quotes as mantras to start your day positively.

• Thoughtful Messages: Include a thoughtful quote in a card or message to support a friend or family member who is also receiving their results.

• Create Visuals: Turn your favourite quote into a phone wallpaper or poster for your room.

Incorporating positive messages into your daily life can create a ripple effect on your mindset.

Why are motivational quotes helpful on results day?

Results day can bring feelings of anxiety, self-doubt or disappointment for some students. These uplifting quotes offer perspective and inspire resilience. They can also provide comfort and serve as a reminder that your worth is not solely defined by exam results.

Can quotes really change how I feel about my exam results?

While they won’t change your grades, quotes can shift your mindset. They remind you that success has many forms and that growth often comes from challenges.

What should I do if I'm feeling overwhelmed on results day?

It’s important to remember that many students, regardless of their results, may feel overwhelmed on results day. Whether you achieve the grades you were hoping for or you’ve just fallen short, results day can be challenging for a number of reasons. 

If you feel like you’re struggling, make sure to reach out to someone –– whether that’s a teacher, parent or counsellor. Take a break, go for a walk, or write down your thoughts. 

Ace your exams with Save My Exams

Whether your results are worth celebrating or you’re already thinking about how to improve next year, Save My Exams can help you.

Join over 2 million students who trust Save My Exams and gain access to high quality, teacher-written revision resources. You’ll find everything from concise revision notes and exam-style questions to flashcards, each tailored to your specific exam board. This way, you can guarantee you’re only studying exactly what you need to know. 

Explore our GCSE and A Level Revision Resources.

References

Exam Anxiety Relief Kit