Unexpected changes
Hey! I’m Jack, a first-year undergraduate studying BA (Hons) Criminology who has had a unique experience at York. I came through Clearing, I switched my course… and then I changed my accommodation. I’d like to mention now before anything else – the support the University gave me was outstanding. I received superfast responses and answers to all my problems.
My results day and Clearing experience
Clearing, for those of you who do not know, is a way of applying to university for students who didn’t receive any offers (or none they wanted to accept). It’s also open for students who didn’t meet the conditions of their offers, or students who’ve declined their firm place. Personally, I decided I did not like my original choices, so I pulled out of those and wanted to apply elsewhere.
The months before results day I knew I wanted to study Law and Criminology in York, however my original choice was York St John University. I knew, though, that I had done better than I expected in my A-levels, and wanted to go to a Russell Group university that suited me, and that was the University of York. Unfortunately, on results day, I called the University of York and found out that my desired course was not available via Clearing. I was distraught and panicked about where to go.
Later that day I called universities with places all over the UK: Nottingham, Glasgow, Strathclyde and Sheffield to name a few. I received some great offers that seemed fine, but I wasn’t ready to commit because I knew really wanted to go to York. So, I decided to give it a day or two to mull it all over. Eventually, I made the decision to accept an offer to study BA (Hons) Criminal Justice and Social Policy at the University of York.
Changing my course
Once I had arrived at York, for the first few weeks, I was still on my BA (Hons) Criminal Justice and Social Policy course. The course itself was fun, great and interesting, however it just was not for me. I wanted to focus more on criminal justice than the course was offering. I spoke to many people, the student hub, my Second/Third-Year Contact (STYC), my personal supervisor and even my cousin who is in a higher year than me. They all offered multiple helpful ways of looking at my situation and helped me with my application for the transfer. I spoke with the Sociology department team, and they guided me through the steps of the application.
After I had filled the application out on a random Thursday, all I could do was wait for my application to be processed, reviewed and for the team to decide if I could be transferred. Then, on the following Tuesday morning, I got an email saying a change to my timetable had been made. Then more changes followed, and by the end of the day I had officially transferred to study BA (Hons) Criminology.
Switching my accommodation
This change, admittedly, was my hardest one yet. I originally lived in Halifax, Lindley Court. For those of you who don’t know where this is, Halifax College is the farthest south (of campus) College.
Jack’s student room
Now, my old room was great, bigger than my current one even, and my house mates were lovely. Due to my change in course, though, I was no longer studying on my neighbour Campus West but on Campus East which is around a 20/25 minute walk, even longer if it’s a 9am start and you’re tired. So, I wondered about a change for a while, and I officially sent out my email and application for a room at David Kato College on Campus East. I did not think I would get a room, to be honest. My application went in at midday on a Friday, and I heard back on the following Monday morning. I accepted the new room offer on the afternoon of that Monday. Thanks to the fantastic communication from the accommodation team, I was able to move into that room the next Wednesday!
Final thoughts
Overall, if you’re worried about student support, getting help and the right teams to get advice, University of York has the most amazing staff. You really do not need to worry about being a bother, that is what they are there for.
I hope this blog helps anybody worried about support or help here at York.
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