BSc Biology
I was predicted A*, A*, A for my A Levels, so it was pretty big shock when I got BBC on results day! I was very upset and disappointed.
I didn’t have an insurance choice because I’d convinced myself to apply for medicine and submitted my UCAS application before I realised it wasn’t what I wanted to do. So, when I didn’t meet the grades, my only option was to use Clearing. I took some time to go through things and went for coffee with my mum before heading back to my school to go through my options with my Head of Year.
Biology was my main focus but I was also interested in wildlife conservation, so I branched out a bit when it came to Clearing. One of my favourite offers for biology came from Kent; it was only when I started the course that I realised it was also accredited by the Royal Society of Biology, which wasn’t the case at my firm choice uni!
It wasn’t long after I received my offers that staff in both the biology and wildlife conservation departments called me to ask if I had any questions about the course. That made me feel as though I’d be studying at a very friendly and supportive uni. And I wasn’t wrong!
During sixth form, I was diagnosed with several health conditions. A short time after I'd accepted my place at Kent, their student support and wellbeing team had put together a provisional Individual Learning Plan for me. Having that in place before I started gave me one less thing to worry about and allowed me to focus on getting ready for starting at uni.
My course is very content-heavy, but I really enjoy it. The university is surrounded by nature, and near the sea, which were both major draws to my original firm choice. I also prefer a campus university that’s near a city and the University of Kent is just that!
At the end of the day, a good degree is a good degree and if you enjoy where you study, that’s all that really matters. Some schools and colleges can make you feel as though you have to go to certain universities because of their prestige, but they aren’t always the best for your course or for you as an individual. Also, it’s easier said than done, but try not to worry. Clearing can feel very daunting but there are lots of courses available and more time than you think to make decisions – don’t stress!
