How Clearing went for me

“What is everyone going to think when I say I went through Clearing?”: Results Day Edition

 

It is almost as if the word is tarnished. People hear the word ‘Clearing’ and either panic or worry that they are going to be viewed as not good enough.

 

Hi, my name’s Grace Lewington and I am University of Huddersfield student who got here through Clearing.

 

Let me start with what I thought Clearing was before I explain what actually happened. I initially thought Clearing was this major competition for those who weren’t good enough to try and get into any university that would take them.

 

I thought the process was just going to put me in a place that took anybody. I was worried I wouldn’t be wanted and instead just taken I’m by a university that needed students.

 

Gosh...was I wrong! I’m too stubborn to admit that a lot of the time, but I was wrong about Clearing.

 

 

What is Clearing?

 

What is Clearing then? Simple! It’s a way of getting a place at a university after you have received your results. And there are lots of reasons to apply through Clearing.

 

It might be that you have not been offered a place at your first or second choice university, it might be that you were not offered a place earlier in the year on the course you wanted, or you might be applying to university for the first time.

 

You could always have planned to apply through Clearing, or maybe you did better than your predicted grades and want to study somewhere else – that one’s called ‘Adjustment’.

Finally put your choice in on UCAS Track and wait for your acceptance! For more specific details head to the UCAS website where all your questions can be answered. It isn’t as difficult as you think it is, I can assure you of that!

 

I wish someone had told me that Clearing was easier than I expected.

 

 

My Clearing experience

 

I was six marks away from having the entry requirements at my first choice university and was gutted when I didn’t get a place. I would need to have my papers remarked to get into that university, but even if I did this, there was no guarantee I would get a space.

 

University is something I’ve dreamed of for years, as early as Year Five! I have always loved school and felt like that was the place I fitted in best, so why would a gap year ever be the right option for me?

 

So, when my Head of Sixth Form told me about a place and university I had never heard of before (I’m originally from the outskirts of London), I laughed and searched the University of Huddersfield online.

 

I found the University’s website, looked up the details of my course - such as the modules I would take during my first, second and third years - and started to smile for the first time all day.

 

I liked it and I wanted to go. I rang the Clearing line for the University of Huddersfield and the first thing someone said to me was: “Congratulations!”

 

That was the first time someone had said that word to me all day. I cried because someone finally realised how hard I had worked to get my grades and wanted me to know that I deserved to go to a university where I was wanted.

 

I wish someone had told me that not all universities are ruthless when it comes to going through Clearing.

 

The one thing I always tell people when they worry about Clearing, is that it is nowhere near as bad as anyone tells you.

 

Clearing is just a way of getting to university when your results didn’t go the way that was predicted. It doesn’t mean you did badly or don’t deserve to go to university, it means fate is sending you to the place you were meant to be - and a lot of the time, it’s the place you least expected.

 

If I had never come to Huddersfield, I don’t think I would ever have become my true self. I was always bullied during school for loving Sociology and the more you enjoy your passion at university the better your connections are with staff, students and friends.

 

I ended up in the right place and I will forever be grateful to the girl who congratulated me on the phone. If it wasn’t for her, I probably wouldn’t be here.

 

I came to a Clearing Open Day during August after I accepted the place here. I was shown around campus and told about my course in person by a man I cannot thank enough. He was a tour guide for the University and was one of the individuals that made me feel like I was in the right place when I walked on to campus in August 2019.

 

I was then taken to an accommodation site called DIGS, Storthes Hall Park.

 

Here is where someone usually says, “Do you like it?” or, “I heard student accommodation can be pretty bad”.

 

Well, yes I really like it! Next year is my final year and I’ll be spending it at Storthes Hall, as well as living here over the summer. It was just icing on the cake because I was already sold on wanting to come to the University.

 

Booking my accommodation was simple to sort out. I did it one afternoon on the computer, with my Mum helping me understand contracts etc, and I was secured and sorted for September.

 

I met a flatmate on Facebook through the DIGS accommodation groups and I was ready for September! It was simple and sweet.

 

 

Results Day tips

 

It’s most likely you are going to be nervous on Results Day therefore, you need to make sure you have someone with you. Someone who has a less emotional mindset.

 

It helps if things don’t go the way you are expecting them to and you need to feel that you have someone by your side to keep you going.

 

My Mum and Stepfather were there for me on Results Day and I don’t know what I would have done if they weren’t!

 

Another important tip for Clearing, have your phone charged, (multiple if possible), and get going as soon as you can/need to! Clearing lines get busy very quickly and you need to be able to get onto the waiting call line for the university you may choose to go to.

 

Do a little bit of extra research before you go as well, just as a backup, so you have an idea of universities you could attend if you wanted.

 

 

Stay positive!

 

Just because you got into university through Clearing doesn’t mean you need to be worried. You need to be excited.

 

You are going where you are supposed to be going. Hard work gets you where you need to be, even if it’s not what you originally planned for - instead you end up where you were meant to be.

 

All I can say to anyone who reads this is, be proud of yourself! Grades don’t define you as a person and with everything that has been going on lately, you guys deserve to be proud of yourselves regardless of your results!

 

I hope my story helps and I can’t wait to see new Fresher faces in September! See you soon :)