Sometimes when people see clearing, they panic and feel like all of their hard work and planning about university has gone down the drain. However, clearing isn’t a bad thing. It is just a slight adjustment to the plan you originally had. A lot of the time, it can turn out to be the best thing.
Here are my 5 top tips for clearing:
Talk to someone you trust about it
If things don’t go the way you wanted on results day, talk to a trusted adult about your next steps. If you do decide to go down the clearing route, think about what course you want to do, where you want to go, and possible questions that you might have.
Try to stay as calm as possible
I know that this is much easier said than done. However, it is easier for you to gather all the information from your calls if you stay calm. It is also helpful to remember that the people on the other end of the phone want to help you and get you onto a course they think (and you) feel would work best for you.
Have a notepad and a pen or a device that you can write down important information
Having essential information written down will ensure that you remember exactly what you have been told and saves you time trying to find phone numbers. It may also encourage you to think about questions that you want to ask.
Ask questions
Ensure that you ask questions, mainly as you probably haven’t visited the university and may not know a lot about the course. By asking questions, you allow yourself to find out about all different aspects of university life that may not be clear on the university website. There is no such thing as a stupid question!
If there is a chance to visit the university, whether virtually or in person, take it!
Speaking to students and staff (even if it’s online) will give you a sense of what university life will be like and what you can expect from going to the university. You may even find out things that you didn’t know about before, which may make your university experience even better!
Overall, going through the clearing pathway isn’t anything to be afraid of; it is just a slightly different path than initially planned.
Read more student stories about clearing
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