I had been studying for a year, but decided I wanted to be closer to home. I applied to UCLan through Clearing.
I wanted to be closer to home
Everything had gone to plan on results day. I had got my grades and was accepted into my dream uni. I was studying Geography Science (BSc) and had even been awarded a scholarship – something that I was incredibly proud of.
Unfortunately, I was hit by a few health problems during my first year. I was still registered to my GP in Preston, so that meant travelling for tests, check-ups and appointments. This was really taking a toll on me and my education.
I also missed my family. This was only heightened by my health problems. I’m one of seven siblings and we’re all really close. I missed seeing my nieces and nephews everyday. The thought of being away from them from another three years was just too much.
Over the summer, I decided to move back home to Preston and apply to a local university. Luckily, the University of Central Lancashire is right in the heart of Preston. I was already familiar with the campus and knew people who had studied here, so I was confident it was the right uni for me.
I had no idea I could change uni through Clearing
I started doing my research about how to change university. I had no idea that I could apply through Clearing. I thought it was only for people who hadn’t got the grades they needed to get into university. It was always treated as a last resort in college, but I was shocked at the number and quality of courses available.
I also decided that I wanted to switch courses. I looked through the courses available at UCLan and started leaning towards Law. I felt like this had a clear career path, which was important to me.
Once I had settled on a course, I called Clearing. The advisor was so helpful and told me everything I needed to know. They asked me about my grades and gave me an offer. Once I had sent over my grades, I received a confirmation of my place.
The Law course has been amazing
Even though I had applied late through Clearing, I was able to start attending lectures straight away. This was great because it meant that I was able to meet everyone during Welcome Week and make friends.
Something I really like about the course is the small class sizes. We have our lectures as a big cohort, but then break off into smaller groups for workshops. That means you can get to know your lecturers on a one-to-one basis and receive additional support. There’s also a moot courtroom, which I’m looking forward to doing some mock trials in next year.
There have also been lots of work opportunities through the course. I currently volunteer at the Advice & Resolution Centre with the Citizen’s Advice. This is rewarding and allows me to put what I've learned into action. Plus, it looks great on my CV! I have also got a 10-week paid internship with the centre, assessing how effective the law clinic is within the community. This will allow me to make suggestions that could make a real difference to people’s lives.
Coming to UCLan has allowed me to get on with my life
Even though it wasn’t in my original plan, I love it at UCLan now. There are so many little cafes and social spaces on campus, so there’s always somewhere to go with my friends. It’s close to the city centre too, so you can just walk down to get some food after your lectures. And most importantly, it's allowed me to be close to my family and get on with my life.
My main advice to anyone going through Clearing is just to get in touch with the university. You can call them or message them online. The sooner you get in touch, the sooner you'll get answers to your questions. Remember that nothing is set in stone and you can always change your mind later, like I did.
