One Big Mistake
James Donaghey reflects on the past year!
The past twelve months of my life have been the most hectic but most important twelve months of my life. In this twelve months I have had to decide on my career, what subject I want to specialize in, what University to go to, what City to live in and to also get those grades everyone desperately needs. There is no hiding the fact that applying to University is easy. It can often be pressurizing and extremely nerve racking.
Upon the start of year 13 I got pro-active in looking at University prospectuses and making shortlists. I checked with my teachers to see what grades I was most likely to achieve. Being predicted with 300 UCAS tariff pts I began searching Universities that would accept those grades. I chose two Universities. I then chose two that asked for less and two that asked for more. I initially wanted to pursue HE in the City of London and ultimately picked four universities in GTR London. I applied to Liverpool University on a whim as they asked for far more points I was extremely shocked to be given a conditional offer as were my teachers and parents. Liverpool is an excellent Uni and everyone was keen to sway me towards the idea of firming the offer. A lot of people actively persuaded me against London which has turned out to be the worst decision I have ever made. This will become clearer later.
As my A-levels progressed I felt confident that I could fulfill the conditional offer Liverpool had made to me and I made two trips to the University to check it out. I instantly knew that I didn’t want to come to Liverpool but felt it was stupid to turn down an offer from a top University and so I firmed it.
I gained 6 conditional offers including the University of London (Queen Mary) which was a University I fell in love with. With confidence I just simply firmed Liverpool as I thought I’d get the grades.
As results day creeped upon me I knew in my heart of hearts I had not got the grades and having only firmed one offer I knew I was going to have to go through clearing. The whole process was not too hard (but takes a lot of phone credit!!) It is stressful because all you want to do is celebrate your results. I got ABD in my A-levels and was ecstatic but instead of enjoying my success I was stuck in my room franticly searching the clearing list in the independent newspaper. The process was demoralizing in the way that you think your grades are just rubbish and not worth anything. I tried to stay focused and eventually gained a place at Liverpool John Moores University. And I absolutely hate it!
Deep down I should have stuck to my guns and went to London because I never fell in love with Liverpool. If I could go back my wish is that I do what I want, where I want. It’s important to be guided through the process but being true to one’s self is paramount. I wish that I had been more true to myself and stood up for myself but it is so easy to choose the wrong University. You need to think very hard when applying because you are about to delve into the subject you love in a different city for 3 years. If your course is unsuitable to your interest then DON’T DO IT! and if you don’t feel an instant buzz in your stomach when you first see it DON’T GO. Mistakes happen and I am happy to throw my hands up and admit I made a mistake. You learn from mistakes. A gap year is not a bad thing or a lazy idea I believe its more productive than anything. I am in the process of withdrawing from John Moores and ready to take up an offer of employment. I will be applying for University next year but I will almost certainly take the whole process a lot more seriously!!!
Such a disappointment.
