Louise Jones is studying on the BSc (Hons) in Wildlife Conservation with A Year in Professional Practice. She offers some reflection on her experience of applying to the University of Kent through last year’s Clearing process:
“At the end of August 2019, probably around the 20th of the month, I sat down at my laptop and decided to start Googling ‘conservation degrees’ and ‘environment degrees’. I think the University of Kent was one of the first results to come up, so I clicked onto the webpage, instantly drawn in by the baby orangutan picture that headers the page and scrolled through. It all sounded great – the modules looked interesting, the reviews I had seen were good. It appeared like it could be a really fun degree to undertake.
“Before this, I hadn’t really thought about going to University: I’d worked straight after sixth form for four years in a bank, but I just wasn’t enjoying it and knew I probably would benefit from going back into education. However, I remember sixth form making UCAS seem long-winded and terrifying, and I didn’t know if I wanted to go through that process again. Well I decided to click the ‘Apply through clearing!‘ banner on Kent’s webpage anyway and, if I changed my mind, I could just cancel or leave the application. It turns out that actually applying was a really easy thing to do! There was a short form to fill out through the website and the UCAS process was quick and easy to complete too: on that same day a few hours later, I received a call from a Conservation Lecturer, Dr Joe Bull.
“We chatted for probably about twenty minutes, discussing what sort of things I enjoyed, the kind of work he did as part of his job both in lecturing and his own research, what the University of Kent was like, etc. By this time, I’d quickly done some clearing applications for other universities, but this one was the first to ring true. Joe told me, since I was applying so late, I would need to accept the offer that day, but, in chatting to me, thought I’d be a great fit for the course. Honestly (and I tell this to everyone), the enthusiasm and kindness I got from Joe had a massive impact on me and I knew I wanted to accept.
“It had been the first time in my life that I had chatted to someone else that sounded as excited about the environment as I was. It was such a casual and interesting conversation that it really got rid of my nerves about the fact I was applying to a university out of the blue without visiting the campus, knowing I’d have to move across the country in less than a month. Well I got off the phone and accepted and, within one week, the administration team had confirmed my place, confirmed my accommodation AND managed to find me accommodation that supported my medical issues! The process could not have been made any simpler for me. It was also lovely to then have Joe as my Biodiversity lecturer in my first term!
“Since arriving at Kent, I’ve joined a Conservation Society, a Kickboxing Society, I’ve auditioned for a music event with my friend, volunteered with newt surveys, been birdwatching (seeing my first kingfisher!), made friends I’m moving in with in my second year, bought a bike: the list goes on! I never thought I’d be confident to do half of those things but being at university has really given me independence. In addition to this, I became a student representative for my course and an ambassador for the School of Anthropology and Conservation. This means that, as well as getting to meet prospective students, helping out with open days and filming videos to display the activity we do here, I also had a job that helped pay for university life!
“Overall, my first year has been an incredibly positive experience and has left me excited and ready for my second year to kick off this September!”
You can browse the full range of the exciting programmes we offer through clearing.