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Clearing is just the business for Medway student

Disappointment quickly turned to delight for Amina Ali last summer after her A-level grades fell slightly short of expectations. This meant that she was unable to pursue her first choice subject of Accounting and Finance at her chosen universities - but by entering Clearing, Amina soon found that fresh options opened up.

'I must admit I was feeling crushed at first,' she said. 'But I was still determined to go to university as planned and not re-sit my exams. University was something I had been looking forward to ever since I can remember!

'Once I came to terms with the situation, however, I was relieved to find that Clearing was a really easy process.'

Amina, 19, decided her best strategy was to log on to the UCAS website and search for alternative courses that interested her. Having decided that both business and IT courses were her top choices, she made a shortlist of universities and looked at the various websites for more details.

'Business IT at the University of Kent's Medway campus ticked all the right boxes,' she said. 'The blend of subjects was especially attractive and I also found out I could still do an accounting and finance module in the second year, which had been my original degree choice.'

After calling the Clearing Hotline at Kent and running through all her academic details, Amina was quickly put in touch with a course tutor. Shortly after she was accepted on to the course. 'It took less than a week to clinch my place on the Business IT degree. It was a rapid turnaround. I was nervous when I picked up the phone to call the Hotline, and unsure what to expect,' she said.

'But everyone I spoke to obviously had lots of experience of giving out clear, accurate information to people in my position. I was impressed at just how helpful the advisers were.'

One year on, Amina, from Beckenham, Kent, insists she made a good decision by entering Clearing. 'I feel I've chosen the right degree and I've been happy at the University of Kent at Medway. I like the campus, the facilities are excellent and the people I've met are amazing,' she said.

'I wouldn't swap courses now, even if I could. It's satisfying to know that I made the right choice at such a crucial time.

'Going through Clearing proved to me that it's not all over if you don't get the right grades. I didn't let my disappointment stop me from succeeding. In fact, I think I'm on a course that suits me a lot better.'

As it was just one year ago that Amina found herself going through Clearing, she is keen to give this year's hopefuls a few words of advice. 'It pays to be organised and well prepared. Students should make notes on who they have spoken to, so it doesn't get confusing if a university calls back.

'Don't sit there worrying but just start calling. I felt nervous when I picked up the phone, but the Clearing Hotline operators are really easy to talk to and have lots of experience of dealing with anxious students, so you'll be in safe hands.'

Contact: N.J.Ellwood@kent.ac.uk

Story published at 10:47am 10 August 2007