Help is at Hand on A-level Results Day

 14/08/2012

If you've failed to get the grades you need for your first-choice university, if you've changed your mind about what course you want to study or if you've done better than expected and have decided to apply late, the Clearing process will help you to find the right course.

Bishop Grosseteste University College has a dedicated Clearing call centre and has installed more telephones this year to cope with the anticipated demand.

Although BG has bucked the national trend this year with an increase in applications, some programmes do have a few places still available.

Around 25 members of staff will be answering calls which come in on the dedicated Clearing hotline, including Deputy Principal Hâf Merrifield and a number of existing BG student ambassadors.

The call centre will be open from 7.30am until 6pm on Thursday 16th and Friday 17th August and from 9am until 4pm on Saturday 18th August.

The number to call is 01522 583698.

"It's going to be a busy few days for us but we always work exceptionally hard to ensure that students are not left worried or uncertain about their place at university," said Karen Richardson, Head of Student Recruitment and Admissions at BG.

"If students and their families want to look round the university college we will be offering campus tours on the hour on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and colleagues from all departments will be helping out to ensure we give the best possible experience to anxious applicants."

Karen offers the following tips for students who will be entering the Clearing system next week:

Don't panic! If you stay calm you're more likely to take in all the information you need to succeed.

If your grades fall short, wait for that important acceptance/rejection indication on Track before you put yourself into Clearing. You never know - your first-choice university might still accept you.

Don't give up! You may well get a place on a similar course that's just as good - but you'll need to shop around. Don't rush your decision. The UCAS system doesn't even let you trigger the formal process of accepting a Clearing place until 5pm on results day, so you have the chance to shop around.

Be realistic. If you've seriously blown it then think hard about re-sits or another course altogether - you can always re-apply next time around. UCAS is offering a free (for landlines) Exam Results Service on 0808 100 8000 where trained, professional careers advisers will be available to give help and advice.

Be prepared to make lots of phone calls and to be persistent!

Keep your nerve - you may need all your negotiating skills to persuade an academic that they should take you on.

Enlist the support of friends and family - keep them informed, as they'll be a great help to you when you have to make that difficult final decision.

Be prepared to explain to universities why you didn't do as well as you hoped in your exams - and be honest.

If you don't get the grades you need it's not the end of the world - there are plenty of other opportunities to consider.