Ref. 71792-03A LEVELS: IT'S been an anxious wait for student Simon Ward.

The 18-year-old needs three B grades to secure his place on a creative writing degree at the London Metropolitan University

Simon, who lives in Lyneham, took A-Levels in English, drama and philosophy at Swindon College.

He said: "I am sort of confident but it is still a nerve-wracking time.

"If I get my predicted grades, then I should be OK.

"I wasn't that keen about going to university but I am really interested in drama and writing.

"London is the best place for something like that."

Simon is looking forward to everything student life has to offer but is also worried about getting into debt.

This is of particular importance because the cost of living in London is higher.

The former Kingsdown School pupil said: "I plan to take out all the student loans and I am trying to save a bit of money.

"My parents will help me out as well but I won't ask them for money until I really need to.

"I wanted to get straight into university, especially with all this talk about extra fees.

"The fear of debt does put a lot of people off going to university. I have lots of friends who just want to start earning straight away."

Fellow student Sarah Howes is also enduring an uneasy time.

The 18-year-old needs three Cs and a D to get onto a law and psychology course at the University of Swansea.

She took four A Levels in law, psychology, art and history as well as an A/S level in ceramics.

She said: "I feel quite ill at the moment.

"I am a very nervous person and the waiting is getting to me.

"I usually feel quite ill before exams.

"But I am quietly confident I'll get the grades.

"I can't wait to get to university.

"I have wanted to study law and psychology since I was little.

"I am not sure if I want to be a lawyer but that's where the money is.

"I am working in a warehouse during the summers so I can save."