NICOLA Sturgeon has sent her best wishes to students across Scotland ahead of results day – saying she can still remember how she felt when it was her turn.

On Tuesday, more than 140,000 Scottish pupils will receive their Higher, National and Advanced Higher grades from the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

Pupils will find out their results via post, email, text, phone, or by logging in to their MySQA account.

It is the first time since the Covid pandemic that the results will be for exams sat in person, although Education Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said it was not yet a “return to normality”.

READ MORE: When is SQA Results day 2022? Everything to know from appeals to clearing

“Continued disruption as a result of Covid-19 meant there had to be a different approach to exams,” she said.

“That approach, which was informed by views from across the education system as well as learners themselves, had one clear aim – to deliver a fair set of results for our young people, while maintaining the integrity of qualifications.”

Sending her best wishes to students across Scotland, the First Minister wrote on Twitter: “Good luck to everyone expecting exam results tomorrow.

“It’s more than 30 years since I left school, but I still recall the anticipation/anxiety of results day.

“I know there will be much success to celebrate – but remember the @skillsdevscot helpline is there for advice.”

Sturgeon shared a post from Skills Development Scotland (SDS), which has set up a helpline to advise young people on the steps they can take after results day – regardless of what grades they get.

Jen Whelan, a career adviser at SDS, admitted that she had called the helpline in tears when she was 16.

Now, after 14 years of working with students on results day, Whelan said the key is knowing what the options are. She said: “I’ve been there and I’ve thought why didn’t I do this, and why didn’t I do that when I was younger?

“But you can look at apprenticeships, you can go to college, you’ve got all these different routes.

“So I think it's about being aware of that and what’s available.”

Separately, business leaders from across Scotland have promised Scottish youngsters they will “recognise and value qualifications as much as any other year” ahead of results day.

In a letter to students, signed by 18 business leaders, firms committed to creating good jobs for youngsters as they enter the world of work while reminding them that there are different career pathways to take regardless of their grades.

The letter, written by Sandy Begbie of Scottish Financial Enterprise (SFE), also said that qualifications will be valued the same as any other year.

“We want to reassure you that we recognise and value your qualifications as much as any other year and that the skills you have developed, and will continue to develop, will play a crucial role in ensuring a bright future for businesses in Scotland and our economy,” the letter said.

The results helpline can be reached on 0808 100 8000 from 8am Tuesday August 9.