Starting university is supposed to feel exciting, like the start of a new chapter, but I\u2019ll be honest, that\u2019s not how it felt for me at first. I had been accepted on to a course, that just didn\u2019t feel right. I remember the day my confirmation came through, I\u2019d just finished work, checked my phone, and saw that my place had been confirmed. Instead of being excited, I felt sick. I knew in my gut it wasn\u2019t the course (or the uni) for me, and the stress of that hit me hard.<\/p>\n
That night, I did what most of us do when we\u2019re panicking, I went down an internet rabbit hole. Somewhere in my scrolling, I came across Teesside University\u2019s TikTok page. It caught my eye because it wasn\u2019t just polished promo, it felt real. I clicked through to their Clearing webpage, found a phone number, and decided to just call in the morning.
\nI\u2019m so glad I did.<\/p>\n
The advisor who answered was kind, calm, and genuinely helpful. I felt like someone was listening. They explained everything clearly, reassured me it wasn\u2019t too late to change direction, and helped me find a course that actually matched my interests. Within four days, I had a confirmed offer from Teesside and this time, I felt excited.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re getting ready to start university this September, here\u2019s what I\u2019d tell you:<\/p>\n
\u2022 Trust your gut. If something doesn\u2019t feel right, whether it\u2019s your course or your uni, it\u2019s ok to take a step back and reassess. You\u2019re not locked in.
\n\u2022 Use Clearing wisely. It\u2019s not just a last chance option; it can be a fresh start. Teesside made the process unbelievably smooth and stress-free.
\n\u2022 Research properly. Look beyond the course title. Think about the support, the campus, the community. TikTok, student forums, and uni websites can give you a feel for the place. That\u2019s why I instantly fell for Teesside, they are just authentically themselves.
\n\u2022 Prepare mentally, not just with a suitcase. Uni is a big shift, emotionally and socially. Be kind to yourself, and remember, everyone is figuring it out.
\n\u2022 Ask questions. You don\u2019t need to know everything before you start. Universities like Teesside are there to help, honestly, just pick up the phone.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re reading this and not 100% sure you\u2019re on the right path, don\u2019t panic. There\u2019s still time to find the right fit. Whether you\u2019ve ended up on the wrong course, feel unsure about your options, or haven\u2019t applied yet, it\u2019s not too late.<\/p>\n