THE anxious wait is nearly over for students anticipating their exam results today.

More than 11,000 pupils in Glasgow are looking out for the results of courses including National 5s, Highers and Advance Highers.

While there will be delight for some, there will be disappointment for others - but uni bosses are urging pupils not to panic.

Julie Fisher, head of admissions at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU), said: "A lot of institutions like ourselves have information online that can be a big help.

"I would say to young people not to close your mind to anything other than the programme you have applied for.

"We have had examples of people with their hearts set on one thing who actually go on to find something that works out far better for them.

"I would also recommend they get in early - don't wait around after the results are out."

Skills Development Scotland’s (SDS) exam results helpline will be available from today until August 15 and is open to all young people and their families seeking careers advice.

It will be open from 8am until 8pm on August 7 and 8 and from 9am until 5pm from August 9 until 15. The number to call is 0808 100 8000.

Deputy First Minister, John Swinney met some of the qualified careers advisers who are on standby to answer calls at the SDS contact centre in Glasgow yesterday.

He said:“Exam results day may be the culmination of months of hard work but it is important to remember that, whatever the outcome, it is only the beginning of the journey to your chosen career.

“If you get the results you hoped for that is excellent but be assured that if you do better than expected, or you just miss out on the grades you need this time round, there are a variety of options available to you.

“The expert careers advisers at Skills Development Scotland are on hand to handle calls from students and their parents to provide information on all of the options and opportunities available.

“I would like to wish everyone receiving their results the very best of luck and urge anyone who is unsure about their next steps to get in touch with the SDS exam helpline.”

The #NoWrongPath campaign sets out the different routes into employment and further education.

Run by Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Glasgow, #NoWrongPath focusses on the non-traditional routes outwith higher education.

Luke McCormack, 23, left school in 2011 and started a Business and Administration apprenticeship with Barrhead Travel.

Two and a half years later, Luke left to join a start-up recruitment agency gaining the experience he needed to launch his own business.

He now runs his own consultancy, Recruitment Scotland.

He said: “I started my own business at 21 and have now been running Recruitment Scotland for almost two years.

"Taking the leap has been the best decision I have ever made in my life."

DYW Glasgow is asking people to post a photograph of their own path on social media today using the hashtag #NoWrongPath and tagging @DYWglasgow, holding a sign with their name, what they did when they left school and what they are doing now.

The campaign garnered support from many well-known faces last year including musician KT Tunstall, politician Iain Gray and comedian Fred MacAuley, and went on to win a Herald Digital Award.

Some 135,000 Scottish school pupils will receive exam results from SQA on 7 August via email, text and post.

Joanna Murphy, chairwoman of National Parent Forum of Scotland, said: “A calm conversation takes some of the heat out of the emotion of the day, and reminds young people no matter what results they achieve, there is always a way forward.”