If you haven’t done well in GCSE and feel that there is no hope for your future, this article is for you. You’ll be surprised to know that most famous people such as Drew Barrymore, Carey Culligan, Steven Spielberg, and Cameron Diaz are the few people who achieved success after facing disappointment in GCSE.
Between the age of 15 to 18, there is nothing else left for you to do other than revising for your exams and preparing for university. However, many successful people we know didn’t do well at school. Scroll down to lift your hopes and self-esteem as you read about the highly successful people who didn’t do well academically.
Sir Richard Branson Left School At 16
Mr. Branson didn’t have much interest in academics and ended up dropping school at the age of 16. After dropping out, he started a magazine known as a student. In an interview, Richard told The Daily Telegraph that his headmaster told him that he would either become a millionaire or end up in jail. Luckily, he dreamt big, and now he owns more than 200 companies in 30 countries globally.
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Simon Cowell Barely Passed Any Exam
Simon Cowell is one of those few people whose opinions are of the highest value. He wasn’t always top in everything he did. He dropped out of school when he was 16 with only one O-level. He began his journey working in the mailroom at his father’s company, EMI Music Publishing company.
He was promoted there as a rising talent but left the company in the early 80s. Cowell worked hard to make a few short-lived success stories with several companies. He eventually became famous for his work at BMG Records, selling more than 150 million records and hitting 70 top single charts in the UK and US.
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Clare Balding Had To Retake Her Papers
Clare Balding is one of the best broadcasters in the UK. However, it may be surprising to some that she was arrested for shoplifting in her youth. She wanted to study at Oxbridge, but her mixed grades were a big hurdle in her way. She took a break of two years, re-took the exams, and practiced interview techniques. All this hard work paid off as she got admission to Cambridge to study English.
Jon Snow Got One A-level
Jon Snow is one of the best TV journalists the UK has ever witnessed, but he didn’t do well at school. He failed most of the subjects in A-levels. He suggests students realize their strengths and chase their passion.
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Carey Mulligan Got Rejected From Drama School
An Oscar-nominated actress, Carey Mulligan, was turned down by the drama school of London. She said that it was fair enough as she wasn’t good enough then. She met Julian Fellowes, a famous screenwriter, who connected her with a casting agent. Carey landed a role in the famous Pride & Prejudice and became one of the most promising film stars.
Steven Spielberg Got Rejected From Film School
The most famous director, the brains behind Jurassic park, Gremlins, and many other blockbusters. He was rejected from the University of Southern California’s Film. Steven Spielberg is arguably the most famous director in the world, being the brains behind E.T., Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, and Gremlins.
Spielberg returned to school in 2002 to earn his BA 35 years later as a gesture of gratitude to his parents. “And as a personal note for my own family – and young people everywhere – about the importance of achieving their college education goals,” he said in a statement.