My Clearing experience: 1 missed email changed my life

After submitting her UCAS application on-time, Lara missed 1 crucial email that impacted her plans. Luckily, ARU was here to get her back on track.

When I was a student at Sixth Form, I faced many obstacles and I went through a lot of different experiences. I felt like I never met the teacher’s grand expectations nor my parents even when I tried my best. It had lowered my self-esteem, despite their best support efforts.

Applying through UCAS

During those times, many peers were discussing universities and how great the ones they had chosen, such as Oxford or London. Deeply, I felt the defeat within me, but I tried to grasp a glimpse of hope that it will get better by selecting universities that will be beneficial for me in UCAS.

However, everything suddenly switched. After my application, I had such a relief that I was on a smooth path until months later I checked UCAS and suddenly I was declined from all universities due to passing the due date for providing further information. I was distraught. This was all because I missed an email from the Careers Support team even after checking multiple times (at a fast pace).

The Clearing process

My life turned around in 2024-5 when I was told that a Clearing process exists, where you can still apply for the university that has extra spots to be filled if you missed the deadline or did not meet the qualified grades. That’s when I knew I still have an opportunity to succeed and I am grateful for Anglia Ruskin University to give me the opportunity. I knew ARU was the one, especially having the exact course I would love to study.

Studying at ARU was nerve-racking at first, though it did grow on me overtime after a few months. I particularly value the great support and spaces to study so I can focus on my assignments or revision.

My best advice is to never feel like your life is over, because there will be a new chapter in your life. We just do not know when.

And remember to quadruple check your email consistently!