FAILING to make the grade in your exams does not mean the end of the world.

The key is to remain positive, even though results may be disappointing.

In Bolton schools and colleges, teams of careers advisers are on stand-by to support the youngsters.

Among them is Maureen Knight, from Lifetime Careers in Bold Street, who said a lot of disappointed students will be "upset, shocked and stunned".

"They think there is no chance they will get in anywhere.

"They feel very much under pressure and think they have to make a decision quickly -- but there is time, they don't have to do it that day."

Her colleague, Claire Storey, said theirs is an impartial guidance service and urged students to discuss all their options.

"Sometimes they will just jump at anything in desperation," said Claire.

Claire Johnson, from Career Guidance, advised: "Realise you are not the only person in that boat."

As a former careers adviser, she added: "Take a day or so to pull yourself together and think clearly about the situation.

"Nobody expects an 18-year-old to have all the answers to what they want to do with their lives."

Maureen said that in her 12 years as a careers adviser, there are tears every year.

"We are with them from Year Nine, we get to know a lot of them quite well.

"But when they are in sixth-form college, on their own and are worried about what their parents will say, they can be quite confused."

Claire Storey added: "They don't see that there is always something you can do."

Judith Elkan, director of the Independent Schools Careers Organisation, said universities might come down a grade if places are not filled.

Claire Storey agreed: "Ring the university to see what they can do."

But she added this might be difficult for popular courses such as English, law, media studies and information technology.

Just over 13 per cent of students who are not accepted for courses at their two chosen universities apply for clearing.

This is a process by which students without a place at a UK university or higher education college can be matched with vacant places on different courses or at different institutions, organised through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) .

The information becomes available after the A-level results are published.

Clearing can be successful, as Alison Barton, a 22-year-old former Canon Slade pupil, proved.

She found herself having to go through the process after disappointing results.

"My friends went out to celebrate and I stayed in and cried all night," she said.

However, she managed to achieve a first class degree in media and cultural studies from University College Warrington as well as an award for the highest achieving student in her year.

She now works as a trainee reporter for the BEN and hopes to achieve a position which combines her interests in media and youth.

Claire Johnson had a word of warning about clearing, though.

"A lot of people who make a snap decision out of panic drop out during the first term because it is not the course they wanted, or it is not an area of the country they want to live in."

Maureen Knight said: "It is good to be pro-active and on the ball, but don't be too hasty unless you know it's right for you."

David Thomas, chief executive of the Careers Research and Advisory Centre notes that exam retakes have a high success rate and says private tuition is worth considering.

However, retaking A-levels would probably have to be done under the new AS-level system now.

AS-levels have so far proved to be controversial, but the Government has promised to iron out difficulties.

Maureen advised contacting university to ask their requirements for applying again next year.

And if you cannot bear the thought of retakes, look at the options available on vocational courses such as NVQs, GNVQs, HNDs or a foundation course at university.

Judith suggests: "If you do not know what you want to do, look at your interests and what you are like as a person. Ask: 'Who am I? Am I active, do I like meeting people, am I a team player?'

"It is all about what you are comfortable doing normally." And there is always the jobs market.

"A lot of students go into work," said Claire Storey.

"But I don't think it is easy."

She said some students find a job with companies they have worked for part-time during their studies. Others find careers for A-level trainees with supermarket chains, financial or management firms.

And more than 80,000 young people nationwide have taken the modern apprenticeship route, which is training with work.

Then there is always the gap year -- a chance to pick up useful experience while deciding what to do.

Anyone who wants to do social work, for instance, could do work for Community Service Volunteers, said Claire Storey.

"Do something constructive," she added.

Maureen advised gap-year contemplators to keep in mind that they will want to show employers the skills they developed during their time out.

She also urged anyone to have an action plan in place for the year after.

"Otherwise a gap year can turn into a gap life," she said.

Visit www.youthinformation.com and www.bbc.co.uk/radio 1/essentials for a wealth of information on the options open to students.

Lifetime Careers is based at Chartsworth House in Bolt Street, Bolton, phone number 01204-840789.