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Exam season is in full swing in the UK and students across the country are feeling the pressure to pass their exams.
While it’s important to study hard for end-of-year exams, many celebrities have proven that not getting the best results isn’t the end of the world.
In fact, some stars who have achieved great success left school without a single qualification to their name.
Other famous faces, on the other hand, may surprise fans with how well they did in school, with some even studying chemical engineering and psychotherapy.
As students across the UK complete their exams, MailOnline looks at how the stars fared during their time in education.
Stars who struggled to pass their exams
Cheryl
Cheryl knew she wanted to be an artist from a young age and left school without achieving a single GCSE.
Cheryl knew she wanted to be an artist from a young age and left school without achieving a single GCSE.
She became a member of Girls Aloud at age 19 after competing on the reality television series Popstars: The Rivals.
In a blog for The Huffington Post, Cheryl wrote in 2012: “For those who did well in their GCSEs or even managed to survive, your world is about to change.
‘Perhaps they are about to secure a place at university to study their chosen subjects, or perhaps they have their dream job lined up. Either way, it is a moment of celebration.”
gemma collins
Reality TV star Gemma Collins left school at 16 after not enjoying studying and taking exams.
Reality TV star Gemma Collins left school at 16 after not enjoying studying and taking exams.
After leaving school with a ‘U’ in maths, Gemma was unfazed; She told YOU magazine: ‘I remember sitting in the exam room for my maths GCSE and thinking: ‘I’m going to be famous, I don’t need maths.’ What I really need is to go down to Romford High Street and buy some new shoes.
Years later, Gemma’s dreams of fame came true when she became a cast member of ITV reality series TOWIE.
Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams failed all his GCSEs at secondary school
Robbie Williams did not entertain anyone with his academic achievements.
Although he was predicted to get A’s and B’s in English, History and Geography, he ultimately failed and failed all of his GCSEs in secondary school.
However, fate was on his side when he joined Take That. Reflecting on his journey, Robbie commented: “If I went back to university, much sooner, I would go back and get all my GCSEs – I failed them all.”
Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell left school with just two O levels – the equivalent of two GCSEs – but then dropped out at 16.
He may be at the top of the music industry now, but Simon Cowell wasn’t always the leader.
The X Factor judge left school with just two O levels (the equivalent of two GCSEs) but then dropped out aged 16.
He began his career working in the mailroom at his father’s company, EMI Music Publishing.
Simon is now known for the hit talent shows X Factor and Britain Got Talent, which have been franchised around the world.
ryan gosling
After turning 17, Ryan Gosling decided to drop out of Lester B. Pearson High School and moved from Canada to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career.
After turning 17, Ryan Gosling decided to drop out of Lester B. Pearson High School and moved from Canada to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career.
When Ryan turned 12, he got a taste of Hollywood fame when he joined Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club as a cast member alongside Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake.
However, her big break came when she starred in The Notebook alongside Rachel McAdams.
Jake Humphrey
Jake Humphrey performed well during his GCSEs; However, he did not do so well in his A-Levels.
Jake Humphrey performed well during his GCSEs; However, he did not do so well in his A-Levels.
He previously wrote on X/Twitter: ‘A-level students, remember that results do not and will not define you. In 1999, I got an E, N and U for myself. Things haven’t turned out that bad…’
His successful career in broadcasting stemmed from his dismissal from McDonald’s.
Cameron Diaz
Cameron Diaz dropped out of high school at age 16 to pursue modeling full-time.
Cameron Diaz dropped out of high school at age 16 to pursue modeling full-time.
The movie star described her high school experience as “pretty rough” and that other students would start fights with her.
She soon landed her first acting job in The Mask and is now recognized for her roles in Shrek, There’s Something About Mary and Charlie’s Angels.
Richard Branson
After a turbulent journey studying, Richard Branson left school at age 16, where his headmaster told him he would end up in prison or become a millionaire.
After a turbulent journey studying, Richard Branson left school at age 16, where his headmaster told him he would end up in prison or become a millionaire.
A few years later, he launched his first business, a magazine called ‘Student’, and today he owns Virgin Atlantic, one of the largest airlines in the world and has a network of $2.5 billion.
He previously advised students: “You will not necessarily achieve success because you failed exams, but you can achieve success despite failed exams.”
Stars who stood out in their exams
Matt Damon
Matt Damon received his undergraduate education at Harvard and was only twelve credits short of graduating.
Matt Damon received his undergraduate education at Harvard and was only twelve credits short of graduating.
He studied English Literature during his time at the prestigious institution and it was there that he wrote an essay that would later become the script for Good Will Hunting, which he co-wrote with his friend Ben Affleck.
In 2013, he was awarded the Harvard Arts Medal by an alumnus for excellence and demonstrated achievement in the arts.
Melinda Messinger
Melinda Messinger became famous as a glamor model, but then underwent a drastic career transition when she trained as a psychotherapist.
Melinda Messinger became famous as a glamor model, but then underwent a drastic career transition when she trained as a psychotherapist.
Appearing on Loose Women, she said: ‘In 2010, I started retraining. I thought, I have kids, I have bills to pay. She was working in television and there were no signs of that letting up.
‘I thought: I can keep doing what I’m doing, but how painful would that regret be? I made the decision to do it and I’ve been practicing for the last five years and I can tell you it’s the best thing I’ve ever done in my life.’
Lisa Kudrow
Although she became a highly successful actress, Lisa Kudrow almost had another career as a scientist.
Although she became a highly successful actress, Lisa Kudrow almost had another career as a scientist.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in Biology, he worked with his father Lee on his headache research and even earned a research credit in one of his studies.
After appearances on TV shows like Cheers and Mad About You, Lisa hit the big time in 1994 when she was cast as Phoebe Buffay on Friends.
Kesha
Kesha is reported to have an IQ of 140 and received an SAT score of 1500, just below the maximum of 1600.
While she is best known for singing hits like TikTok, Blah Blah Blah, and Your Love Is My Drug, Kesha’s talents are not limited to music.
The singer is reported to have an IQ of 140 and received an SAT score of 1500, just shy of the maximum of 1600.
He previously revealed in an interview: ‘I used to really enjoy math, like math turned me on. I love it.’
Cindy Crawford
Before becoming one of the most famous models in the world, Cindy Crawford studied chemical engineering with mathematics at Northwestern University.
Before becoming one of the most famous models in the world, Cindy Crawford studied chemical engineering with mathematics at Northwestern University.
She attended college on a scholarship, but dropped out after a year to pursue modeling full-time.
She also earned high grades during her school years and was valedictorian of her high school when she graduated in 1984.
