Getting better grades than expected meant I had a wider choice of high-calibre universities to choose from.
Hi, my name is Edward, and I’m a first year history and philosophy student. I chose the University of Nottingham through Clearing as I’d already decided I no longer wanted to go to my first choice university. Then, on results day, I got higher grades than expected, which changed everything.
Edward Dyer, History and Philosophy Clearing student
My Clearing story
After deciding I no longer wanted to go to my first choice university, I had planned on going to my insurance choice. However, when results day arrived, I was able to reassess my situation and consider other universities with higher entry requirements.
I’d already taken a trip up to Nottingham to see family, so we took a walk around the university campus, which I thought looked really nice. I also had a friend who was coming to UoN so I thought a familiar face on campus would be great.
The deciding factors were the fact that it was a campus university, the accommodation guarantee and the course on offer.
Originally, I was planning to take philosophy and politics, but I'm glad I didn't because history and philosophy has been really good so far. I'm enjoying studying history. I was originally not going to take it because it was so difficult at A level, but it's reignited my love for the subject.
Results day
I remember results day clearly, walking to school with my music at full volume to try and take my mind off things. I opened my results with my friend who had already decided he was going to Nottingham, and we both got the exact same grades. I was really happy with my results as I didn’t think I’d do that well.
I went home to tell my family the good news, began doing my final research on the universities now available to me through Clearing and started calling them. This was quite stressful for me as I’m not the most confident speaker. However, calling Nottingham was easy because the person on the phone was really helpful.
Everything was dealt with really quickly, and I received an email about how to apply and information about the UCAS deadline.
Arriving on campus
Arrival day felt a little stressful, with trying to work out where to go and then meeting six or seven new people you’re going to be living with. However, I really enjoyed the social aspect of this; my flatmates have become my close friends.
Lessons from Clearing
My advice to anyone applying through Clearing would be to say that it’s not as stressful as it’s made out to be. Do your preparation beforehand on where you think you might like to study, and take things in your stride, try not to get stressed about it. You’ve got this!
