A student’s guide to clearing – what to do and not do on the day

I started looking at universities in Year 12 and I was so excited; both my parents went so I knew what to expect and I also wanted to branch out and leave my hometown. I worked hard and overachieved at GCSE level and put myself through the entry process for dentistry including aptitude tests and interviews. 

I secured a place at two great dental schools. So of course, when I got around to doing my A levels, I burned out. I hadn’t even thought about clearing until the night before my results, just in case. I’m so glad I did.

The night before results day, I wrote out a list of universities that were open for clearing. I drew out a table with the following headings: university, grades, degree and contact information.

When results day came, my firm and insurance choices hadn’t updated on Ucas, so I had no idea if I had got in or not. When I went into school to get my grades, unfortunately I wasn’t anywhere near my predicted grades of three As.

I then had to sit in a hall, where everyone was collecting their results, calling up lots of universities. That was rather stressful when I think back on it.

I started looking on social media too and saw a picture of Royal Holloway, University of London’s Founder’s Building. Seeing that, I wanted to know which university had a building that looked so beautiful. I then sent it to my friend who had an unconditional offer with Royal Holloway. Little did I know it would be my home the following year too. 

I’d say to anyone that, if your grades don’t match the clearing offer, call and ask the university if they have any other relevant degrees. I came to Royal Holloway initially studying a biology degree but switched over to biomedical sciences a couple of weeks in.

I recommend having everything with you when you start calling clearing lines, such as Ucas number, results and a pen and paper. 

Visit the university you have a clearing offer with if you are able to. On clearing day my mum and I drove to Egham to visit Royal Holloway and that’s when I could really see myself there.

Find a quiet space to call up universities. I was in the middle of my school hall with everyone receiving their results while I was calling up different universities and it was not the best experience.  

My biggest “don’t” is letting your parents, guardians or sixth-form/college teachers call up on your behalf (unless they’re nominated on your Ucas form). I got told off by another university when one of my teachers called up for me – so don’t do it.

Also, don’t leave it till the last minute to call the clearing lines – places get snatched up quickly.  

I think I was a little too relaxed before results day and I thought I knew what was coming, but I didn’t know at all. However, at the end of the day you can’t change what has happened, you just have to leave it in the past and be ready for the next step.

I’m glad I got through getting my results and found my place at Royal Holloway – especially because I ended up as president of the students’ union and, before that, vice-president for societies and sport. 

There was also a range of activities within the students’ union that really made my time at university. This included joining the swimming club and going on to be vice-president for swimming.

The campus has a tight-knit community. I think I would have struggled moving straight to a big city, so I really landed on my feet with Royal Holloway by living in a town but still being so close to London. 

Although I never set out to start university via clearing, I am so happy that I did. Not getting your predicted results really isn’t the end of the line – just the beginning.