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Luke,
now 19, went to his first choice university in Wales in September
2002 but quickly realised that it wasn't for him.
Luke
is now studying Computing with Multimedia at the University of Gloucestershire
and living back at home with his mum and dad.
"I
was put in accommodation with some older students and the kitchen
was a tip - I'm
not houseproud but it was disgusting," he recalls.
"Also
they all slept until late afternoon and were up all night - not
great when I was trying to get my head round a major life change.
"I
think I was just unlucky in who I was sharing with as a friend's
accommodation at the same uni was fine, but it
was a real shock to the system."
I had never read much about clearing so I didn't know what to
expect. The university made it really easy for me.  |
| Luke
Roberts |
After
two weeks Luke knew he'd made a mistake - and was pleased when his
parents backed his decision to come home.
"Basically
I panicked - and I felt really guilty that my mum and dad had bought
so much stuff like bedding and pots and pans to help set me up to
live away from home.
"But
they knew I wasn't happy - though when she sees the state of my
bedroom now I don't know if Mum is always entirely pleased I came
back!"
Luke
had been looking forward to going away to uni when he left Sir Thomas
Rich's School - but he doesn't regret coming home.
"My
older brother didn't go away to uni and said he'd regretted it,
so that influenced my decision.
"I
had also heard that going away to university was an amazing experience
but I never heard anyone say that it could be a bad experience -
but unfortunately it was for me."
Luke
wasn't sure what to do next but clearing smoothed the path for him
to sign on at the University of Gloucestershire in time for the
start of his new course - the only thing he missed was the Freshers
Fair.
"I
had never read much about clearing so I didn't know what to expect.
The university made it really easy for me.
Living
at home is great. I still get a loan and also have a part-time
job at a local video shop.
|
| Luke
Roberts |
"I
gave them a call to see if I could transfer my course and they told
me I could have a place and was welcome.
"They
helped me as much as they could and just did everything.
"Living
at home is great. I still get a loan and also have a part-time job
at a local video shop.
"I
have got involved with university life and am the student rep for
the computing course.
"I
hang out with my new friends from university at the student bar
but also get to go home and see my other friends - I feel I've got
the best of both worlds."
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