My Clearing Experience
Hello, my name is Mollie, I’m from North Yorkshire and I am studying Physical Geography.
On Results Day I found out I had not made it into my first choice university. I still got great results that I am proud of regardless, as I was just a single grade out. I got my insurance place but decided it wasn't the right course for me, so I found myself having to go through Clearing.
At first it was very scary as I had my heart set on the University I didn't get into so, with the amazing support of my school teachers, I rang that university to see if there was another course I could do. Sadly, there wasn't so I had to start thinking of other universities. This made the day incredibly difficult as I was overwhelmed with so many emotions. I was happy about my grades, but disappointed that they weren't high enough and I was stressed about which university and course to pick. This was where my school was incredible, making the whole experience so much easier. They suggested universities they thought were ideal for me, helped me ring them and when they sent me home to think about my options, they even rang me to check how the process was going.
A piece of advice: utilise the support that your school is offering as it really is helpful.
I decided the best way to tackle Clearing was to write lists and compare universities. As I needed a commutable university, I looked at those local to me and narrowed it down to three, one of which was Huddersfield. I then made different categories for what I needed from university, such as the easiest to travel to, the best-looking course and the type of support that the University had. Once I had done this, it was much easier to see which university I wanted to apply for, so I started calling.
This is an example of a checklist and things that you may want to consider to making Clearing as easy as it can be.
I found the number very easily on the University of Huddersfield's Clearing page. When I rang, I was on the phone with two people who were kind and made me feel a lot more at ease whilst I waited. I was then put through to my course leader, asked a few questions such as what my grades were and why I wanted to study geography and was then told all about the course. They sent through a confirmed offer on UCAS which I was then able to accept and started celebrating getting into university.
This is a photo of the Clearing page on the University of Huddersfield’s website, which is filled with helpful advice and top tips on how to approach Clearing.
Over the next few days it took a while for UCAS to display the confirmed offer, this caused me to worry a bit, however, over the Clearing period the university has an online instant chat service who were really helpful, checking things and reassuring me that UCAS just needed a few days to update. You can now also chat to current students to see what life is like in Huddersfield, and ask any questions about the University.
The day after Clearing, I attended the Clearing Admissions Day where I got a full tour of the University from the course leader and another lecturer and was then left to explore myself, making me excited to start. The University has many quotes around campus, motivating students and showing the supportive environment that I would be attending.
This photo shows the first glance of the University that I saw when I attended an Open Day.
My top tip for Clearing is to consider all universities. You never know which one will turn out to be the one for you, take time to think and don't feel pressured to rush into a decision, Clearing is open for more than one day. I would also advise you to see if the University you apply to have a Clearing Admissions Event because it helps you to get a feel for your university and ask any questions you might have before starting.
Before Clearing I wish I had known that it isn’t as stressful as it seems and the best way to go through the process is with a calm and open mind. Below is a photo of me on Clearing Admissions Day, outside the cathedral in which graduation is held, so I hope that I will be comparing this photo next to my graduation one in a few years.
Good luck, and remember that no matter what happens, be proud of your grades, celebrate getting through A levels and enjoy your time at which university you choose!
Thinking about Huddersfield? Check out Mollie's blog on her first year at Huddersfield.
This is a quote by Lemn Sissay MBE in the University Piazza, you'll see it when you walk towards Student Central.All articles by Mollie
If you like this article and want to learn more about life as a student, visit Mollie's author page.
Which University?
If you're still unsure which university to choose then there are more articles by students about how they chose their course and university.