My name is Jess, and I joined the University of Surrey through Clearing 2022. On A-Level results day, I opened up my results to see I didn’t get the grades I needed in Chemistry and had some rejections on my UCAS page. I felt anxious about what my next steps were after being faced with rejection, but had to remind myself that not all hope was lost as Clearing exists!
As my firm choice on UCAS was Biomedical Science with a placement year and integrated masters here at Surrey, I thought it made sense to give them a call first. The Surrey Clearing team on the other side of the phone were friendly and reassuring, and let me know I could still come to the University to do the same course if I substituted my integrated masters year with a foundation year instead. Suddenly, I sighed a breath of relief as I saw my future remain bright. It was an intense and memorable 8–9am on results day that’s for sure!
Why I chose Surrey
As mentioned, Surrey was already my firm choice on UCAS and this was for a number of reasons. Firstly, I looked at student satisfaction. Surrey was ranked as one of the best UK universities not just for student satisfaction but graduate employability in biosciences too. I’m someone who likes to think of the bigger picture and I always have a five-year plan, so this is something I was really interested in!
Next was the campus and its location. Surrey is a campus university, meaning its academic facilities are all mainly in the same place (spread across its two campuses: Stag Hill and Manor Park). Home for me is Kent, which borders Surrey but also isn’t too close at the same time, so I could gain independence away from home whilst being close enough to travel back as and when needed.
Attending my applicant day here a few months prior to results day also cemented that Surrey felt like the right place for me. Everyone was really welcoming and I could see myself fitting into the environment well – which is very important!
My advice if you’re going through Clearing
Take a deep breath. All hope is not lost! That’s how I was initially feeling and if I allowed that feeling to linger, I would’ve lost out big time! Try to be proactive and optimistic, even if things don’t pan out exactly how you were hoping. I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason.
Although I was feeling downhearted that I even had to go through Clearing, and on top of that doing a foundation year which my friends weren’t doing, it turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life. My foundation year enabled me to get to grips with everything way in advance, in comparison to Jess in an alternate universe who would’ve progressed straight into her first year.
My life as a Surrey student
I’m currently finishing off my second year before I go off on my placement year to work in the medical pharmaceutical industry. It’s been a super busy year but I have really enjoyed my time at Surrey so far. I practise gratitude on a daily basis and I enjoy the little things, such as the beautiful lake and scenery we have within walking distance from lectures, and my beautiful room on Manor Park that I get to come home to each evening.
I enjoy spending time in our fantastic library, where I really get in the zone and lock in to get my lab reports up to scratch! My lecturers are all friendly and kind, always willing to go the extra mile to make sure you are doing okay. I have made lifelong friends here and developed great professional relationships in my jobs for both the University and Students’ Union! This has included being a head course representative for the School of Biosciences. I have become an important figurehead for all students in my school to approach whenever they need help in both their personal and academic lives. Overall, I’m really glad I came to Surrey, and, as I reach my midpoint here, I’m excited for the next half of my journey!
