I did start writing this post as a warning to everyone that wants to go to university to apply early, and keep on top of their application. I applied very late as I wasn't sure what I wanted to do, and was informed that there were no spaces left for me. Things have changed since, thankfully, but it's taught me a lot about preparation.

Back in February or so, I decided that the course I was studying at Leeds University wasn't for me. I tried attending on and off for a few months, but I just couldn't get into the course. Some may argue that I missed too much to fully understand what was going on, but I made sure to catch up before I tried getting involved again. Anyway, long story short we got to June and I decided I wasn't going into my third year, passed exams or not. (As it happens, I passed 3/5 exams without attending all year. I only needed to resit one to get into my final year! :D )

Once I'd decided not to continue, I discussed my options with a few people. My personal tutor was the most useful of all, suggesting I took a look at Leeds Metropolitan, as I didn't want to move away from Leeds. He also suggested applying for direct entry to my second year. After looking at the module list and talking to people who have attended, I decided I wanted to go there and submitted an application via UCAS.

I kept ringing admissions and asking, but they kept telling me to ring back in a few weeks. Eventually, I found out at 8am on results day that the institution wasn't going into clearing, so my application wouldn't even be looked at. I was disheartened for about 30 seconds, then I started planning what to do next. I really do like the look of the course, and I wasn't ready to give up.

As soon as I got to work, I sent an email to Imran Ali who I'd met at Unsheffield a few months previous. He put me in contact with Linda Broughton at nti on Friday and I explained my situation. I have no idea who Linda spoke to, but when I rang admissions on Monday they knew all about my application, and were amazingly helpful. I was expecting a few weeks of correspondance and maybe an interview to see if they would offer me a place. However, Tony Farrar at admissions chased everyone that needed to see my application, and showed them my emails. By 3pm on Tuesday I'd been offered an unconditional place with entry to level 2.

I was very, very lucky. I have an offer for the course I want to study. However, there is still a lot of work to do. I need to make sure that I know everything from level 1 so that I don't get left behind during any lectures. I also need to sort out student finance so that I can pay my rent and buy food. If I'd been a bit more organised, this could all have been sorted by now.

This experience has taught me two things. I already knew them, but it's really driven the point home.
#1 is that I should be more organised. Leaving things until it's too late is a sure-fire way to be disappointed. However, if you do end up getting to the point where you're not going to get what you want, don't give up. If I'd have given up at 8am on Thursday, I wouldn't be going back to university this year.

Just one more thing... You should all go to as many tech events as you can. Geekup, Barcamps, Hackdays, everything. Meeting people in your field could really help out one day. My experience is proof of that :)

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