We have more than proven our ability to adapt to times of uncertainty following the pandemic. It feels like a lifetime ago that we were masked up, planning our one-walk-a-day and worrying about toilet roll stock. As a Master's Degree student, the anticipation and uncertainty of going through Confirmational Clearing at a University also feels like it happened in another life. However, I remember deciding whether to accept my first-choice subject at a different university or consider my backup option at Queen’s University. I decided that the location of Queen’s University and its facilities were important enough for me to contemplate a different subject route. At the time, Clearing did not seem like an ideal situation, but the outcome has been so beneficial as it led to me having a whole new way of appreciation and thinking.

^{The location of Queen's and its facilities were big factors in Holly's Clearing decision}

The Clearing process

I have heard different experiences of being accepted through Clearing, but the process was handy enough for me. I rang up first thing in the morning at around 8am. I told the university my grades, and I was accepted to study English. Just like that. Some people have had to ring numerous times, but in this day and age, people ring repeatedly just to get their favourite food place to deliver to them, so it’s nothing out of the ordinary. Callers often strategically get their friends and family members to ring on multiple phones in a race to see who gets answered first before securing a place.

READ: Mastering the Clearing Call: Top Questions and Tips for University Success!

I was adamant that my first choice was the right course for me back then. I was accepted to my first-choice subject in a different university; however, I declined the offer to go through Clearing as attending Queen’s was important to me. I always pictured myself around the campus, and it turns out that the aesthetically pleasing building I envisioned myself in was the Arts, English and Languages section of the university all along! I enjoyed doing an English degree so much that after three years of undergraduate, I decided to enroll in Literary Studies MA, so I definitely made the right choice by staying open-minded and enrolling through Clearing. 

^{The Seamus Heaney Centre is one of the leading centres for creative writing in these islands}

There are many opportunities to socialise

Something to consider is that there are no restrictions on extracurricular activities when you do a degree at Queen’s. You can do an English degree and join the Psychology or French society. And vice versa. There are no limits to the number of societies you can join, so you can pursue all your interests and meet people on different pathways. You can attend extracurricular events regularly or more casually. Coincidentally, I always find myself available on the Wine & Cheese nights put on by the French society!

^{Queen's offers a range of clubs and societies to pursue your interests and meet new people}

Enhance your university experience

Queen’s also offer an employability award called Future-Ready Award, which formally recognises extracurricular experience. You can participate in the Future-Ready Award and work on a project with students from different disciplines; and you are acknowledged with a qualification and a second certificate at graduation. I earned a Future-Ready Award by working alongside students from the Broadcast Production department to showcase a website on the environment. I have always been interested in eco-issues and wanted experience in journalism, so the additional award was just a bonus. Some subjects even offer optional modules which allow you to be assessed on courses from different subjects. In the second year of my English degree, I even chose to take on a module from Anthropology and absolutely loved the diversity of my classes.

^{The Future-Ready Award enhances your academic profile}

If you take anything from this, be open-minded not just during your Clearing experience but throughout your entire degree. My Clearing option opened up a range of opportunities for me and allowed me to try a range of academic areas. In retrospect, going through Clearing was the best thing for me. 

Find out more

Clearing at Queen's

Clearing the Path: Your 7-Step Guide to University Clearing Success!

Study MA English Literary Studies

Postgraduate Study at Queen's

Future Ready Award Activities List

Holly Anna Lennon Literary Studies | Postgraduate | Belfast, Ireland I studied English Literature as an undergraduate at Queen's University and am currently a Literary Studies MA student. When I am not reading, I am writing. I am a freelance writer specialising in business publicity. I also write for The Scoop (Queen's Radio), where I publish a monthly column called 'Boxing Unwrapped', which provides insight into the goings-on in the boxing community.