Every year, Jeremy Clarkson graces the internet on A level results day to reassure students that the grades C,U,U secured him a private helicopter. While I do not currently own a helicopter (perhaps there is still time!), I did not get the results I needed on my results day; two years on, I couldn’t be more thankful for it.
The shock of results day
I left my A level summer securing my Open Water PADI qualification in South Africa, with the vision that I was to start University in Belfast that September, embarking the start of many pints of Guinness, and of course…my Biology Degree! On results day I was presented with a D in my A level Biology, and with someone wanting to peruse a career in Biology, that letter in front of me, destroyed all hope of that. Or so I thought..
Pivoting through clearing
Having missed both of my University offers, I had to adjust to the idea of applying through clearing, to undertake a foundation year at a completely different University. The University of Plymouth struck my attention, due to the fact that they were based by the sea, which meant more scuba diving! As the weeks between results day and the start of freshers week went on, I became more open minded to the idea of living down in Devon, I could scuba dive, swim and perhaps even spot a mermaid! And so, I settled into University life, starting my foundation year in biology.
The University of York was always a place I had hoped to apply to. Unfortunately for me, only studying one science-based subject at A-level meant that I couldn’t initially apply to do a degree in Biology there. Instead, I settled on visiting one of my friends who studied Biomedical Science at York – and I fell in love with the campus and atmosphere. It was during this time visiting my friend, I questioned the idea of maybe being able to transfer to York. Something I would not have been able to do even if I had secured 3A*s in my A level subjects.
Finding my way to York (via Australia!)
After finishing my foundation year, I decided to take a gap period before transferring to the Department of Biology at York. In between finishing my foundation year and moving to York, I spent three months travelling around Australia and scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef! None of those unforgettable experiences would have happened if my A-levels had gone to plan.
To top it all off, since coming to York, I’m now actually training through the university Scuba society to become a qualified scuba diving instructor! So maybe one day I will have the chance of becoming a real life mermaid!!
Trust the Process
Since starting my journey at university, the last two years have shown me that success doesn’t always look like a straight line. Setbacks happen, but determination and resilience will take you so much further than a perfect results day ever could.
If you’re opening your results and things don’t go strictly to plan, it’s not the end of your story – it might just be the start of an even better chapter!
I have absolutely loved my first year here at the University of York, I have been given so many opportunities and met some amazing people. We even managed to host a ‘life on earth’ themed birthday party for David Attenborough’s 100th birthday within the department. Even securing me a trip to BBC York to speak on their radio show with my life size cardboard cut out, David Flattenborough!
I am still sat in the same lecture theatre with all the people that did achieve the top grades at A level, with an extra year of experience and a lifesize cardboard cut out of David Attenborough!!
I can not wait for my next year of studies to come, and I am so excited for what surprises and opportunities it will bring!
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