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Alternatives from clearing
Re-sitting
You may decide that you want to re-sit your exams, especially if you cannot get into the course you want through Clearing. Re-sitting has its pros and cons and you need to think carefully before going ahead.
Take a long, hard look at why you didn’t get the grades you wanted. There may be an obvious reason such as illness or family upset, or were your expected grades simply unrealistic? Did you work hard enough? If so, are you sure things will be different next year?
Repeating a course can be boring and it’s not easy to get motivated, especially when all your friends have moved on. Be honest with yourself. Do you genuinely have the ability to get better grades? Remember - some universities will ask for higher grades from second-time applicants.
Making a fresh start
If you really think you could do better next time a change of scene can help to make a fresh start. You might want to enrol at a different school or college. Some colleges offer special one-year courses for re-sit students.
Fee-paying colleges or ‘crammers’ specialise in students re-taking A levels. If your parents are interested they can contact the Conference for Independent Further Education (CIFE) helpline on 020 8767 8666, or go to their website at www.cife.org.uk.
Changing your course
You could tackle a new subject or even change course altogether. Doing something different is more stimulating than repeating an old course but it will mean hard work.
Lots of people get into university or jobs with qualifications other than
GCE Advanced. AVCEs involve more course work and fewer examinations than traditional A levels. This approach may suit you better.
FE colleges also run other courses which train you for specific jobs like nursery nurse, chef or beautician.
Getting a job
If you’ve been disappointed by your exam results you might decide that higher education is not for you right now. Getting a job and learning while you earn could be the answer. Work can give you both experience and skills - things university graduates often lack.
You may also be able to get vocational qualifications while working. Look for openings which offer a structured training programme like the ‘Modern Apprenticeship’ scheme which guarantees training to at least NVQ level 3.
Taking a break
You may feel that you can’t face the pressure of scrabbling for a place through Clearing right now. Perhaps you need a break to think things through?
Taking a gap year might give you the chance to do something different and sort yourself out.
Deciding not to go to university now doesn’t mean you’ll never achieve higher qualifications. Many people study part-time for HNDs and degrees or enter higher education as a full-time student later in life.
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