University: A Blessing In Disguise

The smell of coffee continues to linger in the air. My bed remains unmade. And my results are still sat in the very same spot they have been since Thursday morning.

I've waited a few days to write this for everything to sink in. As you will know, A Level results were published on Thursday morning, with over 670,000 18 year-olds finding out their fate. In my case, I missed out by a grade on getting into my chosen university, which is gutting, but at exactly the same time, the most wonderful news I could have expected.

There are 470,000 places available at university this year, so by the law of averages, 200,000 people will miss out on the most competitive year the education system has ever seen.

Fees have to rise in order to keep our country afloat - I agree with this, and I know I'm probably the only one. With fees increasing, it means universities can now plough this money into keeping education at a quality standard, and will help our graduates compete with the likes of China and Japan again. It also means the government can concentrate their funding elsewhere, on the likes of defence, policing, and grassroots sport.

City University in London rejected my Clearing application, as they could only accept those with grades of ABB. This year, all universities can afford to be exceptionally picky with their grade requirements, knowing full well that most are applying this year to avoid the upcoming fee rises, and thus will fill their course vacancies. I don't begrudge City in any way - I will re-apply next year and I will ensure I take my position at the best journalism course in the land.

But that's the attitude you have to have this year. I've heard stories this week of people who wept because they saw all their friends get in, and they didn't. I was incredibly proud of everyone I saw open their brown envelopes on Thursday - we've been a year group for seven years, and now everyone is going their separate ways to become successful in whatever field they choose to join.

There were those who missed out significantly on their firm and insurance choices, but managed to find a course in Clearing that was the right fit for them. And to them, it was the best of a bad situation, and you can only wish them luck at their decision.

I sat at school for an hour on Thursday after opening my results, just to reflect. I wasn't upset, or depressed by my results - I got ABC, but still didn't get in, so a set of brilliant grades, yet not quite enough. I just sat and worked out my action plan. Did I want to throw away everything I'd worked towards over the last year, to get my place in City, or did I want to accept a degree at a lesser university, purely for the fact of avoiding the fees?

I had a look at what was available, and decided that a year out was the best choice for me. It means I can spend a year of my life doing what I love to do - I can write, I can earn some money, I can travel, I can work towards that coveted place at uni. I can do whatever I want with the next year - and it's the only opportunity I will ever get to do so.

I was in fact offered a place through Clearing to study Journalism. It was in London, which is exactly where I want to be. But would I have rather taken something that wouldn't necessarily have placed me at the top of my game, or would I regret that decision for the rest of my life, knowing full well I could have done better? So I opted out, rejected the place, and now the world is my oyster.

I blogged a few weeks back about a man in Portugal, who inspired me that there are so many different opportunities available to me. Cheap air travel, open boundaries, endless possibilities. I have the chance to become who I want to be now - I can mature over the next year, I can discover my true potential, I can study what I want to, where I want to. I can go and visit the industry's top establishments, and travel the world enjoying the most brilliant year. It may be tough to get back into hard work in 2012, but there is a chance, right now in my life, where a set of crossroads have led me down a path that can take me somewhere, and further my chances in life.

I know that if I died tomorrow, I made the right choice. I know that when I'm 70, and retired, and enjoying my house on the beach, that I won't regret this decision, and that come what may, I can still be good at whatever I choose to do. There is no need to consider money - the fees go up, so does that mean my happiness, and my chances should go down? Not a hope in hell - this next year is what will make me who I will become.

A message to all those who have found themselves in similar positions this week - congratulations on whatever choice you made. Whether it be university, a year out, or the courage to say you've changed your mind, you're a better person for it. If you're yet to make a decision - follow your heart. Trust what it tells you - don't throw everything away because your head tells you so. I've followed mine, I know plenty who have followed theirs, and now have opportunities available to them they never thought they could have had. Nothing can be lost; all is to gain.

Taking a year to consider my options is the most wonderful, brilliant news I could have hoped for - I have a chance to truly do what I wish to do. I can enjoy a year of my life with no pressure, and with a little work, I can go where my heart is set next year. There have been no tears shed, no blood lost - there's actually a smile where there should be a frown.

Because these results aren't the end of the world. They're the start of it.

Taken from General Musings of an Idiot: http://www.gmoai.com

University: A Blessing In Disguise

The smell of coffee continues to linger in the air. My bed remains unmade. And my results are still sat in the very same spot they have been since Thursday morning.

I've waited a few days to write this for everything to sink in. As you will know, A Level results were published on Thursday morning, with over 670,000 18 year-olds finding out their fate. In my case, I missed out by a grade on getting into my chosen university, which is gutting, but at exactly the same time, the most wonderful news I could have expected.

There are 470,000 places available at university this year, so by the law of averages, 200,000 people will miss out on the most competitive year the education system has ever seen.

Fees have to rise in order to keep our country afloat - I agree with this, and I know I'm probably the only one. With fees increasing, it means universities can now plough this money into keeping education at a quality standard, and will help our graduates compete with the likes of China and Japan again. It also means the government can concentrate their funding elsewhere, on the likes of defence, policing, and grassroots sport.

City University in London rejected my Clearing application, as they could only accept those with grades of ABB. This year, all universities can afford to be exceptionally picky with their grade requirements, knowing full well that most are applying this year to avoid the upcoming fee rises, and thus will fill their course vacancies. I don't begrudge City in any way - I will re-apply next year and I will ensure I take my position at the best journalism course in the land.

But that's the attitude you have to have this year. I've heard stories this week of people who wept because they saw all their friends get in, and they didn't. I was incredibly proud of everyone I saw open their brown envelopes on Thursday - we've been a year group for seven years, and now everyone is going their separate ways to become successful in whatever field they choose to join.

There were those who missed out significantly on their firm and insurance choices, but managed to find a course in Clearing that was the right fit for them. And to them, it was the best of a bad situation, and you can only wish them luck at their decision.

I sat at school for an hour on Thursday after opening my results, just to reflect. I wasn't upset, or depressed by my results - I got ABC, but still didn't get in, so a set of brilliant grades, yet not quite enough. I just sat and worked out my action plan. Did I want to throw away everything I'd worked towards over the last year, to get my place in City, or did I want to accept a degree at a lesser university, purely for the fact of avoiding the fees?

I had a look at what was available, and decided that a year out was the best choice for me. It means I can spend a year of my life doing what I love to do - I can write, I can earn some money, I can travel, I can work towards that coveted place at uni. I can do whatever I want with the next year - and it's the only opportunity I will ever get to do so.

I was in fact offered a place through Clearing to study Journalism. It was in London, which is exactly where I want to be. But would I have rather taken something that wouldn't necessarily have placed me at the top of my game, or would I regret that decision for the rest of my life, knowing full well I could have done better? So I opted out, rejected the place, and now the world is my oyster.

I blogged a few weeks back about a man in Portugal, who inspired me that there are so many different opportunities available to me. Cheap air travel, open boundaries, endless possibilities. I have the chance to become who I want to be now - I can mature over the next year, I can discover my true potential, I can study what I want to, where I want to. I can go and visit the industry's top establishments, and travel the world enjoying the most brilliant year. It may be tough to get back into hard work in 2012, but there is a chance, right now in my life, where a set of crossroads have led me down a path that can take me somewhere, and further my chances in life.

I know that if I died tomorrow, I made the right choice. I know that when I'm 70, and retired, and enjoying my house on the beach, that I won't regret this decision, and that come what may, I can still be good at whatever I choose to do. There is no need to consider money - the fees go up, so does that mean my happiness, and my chances should go down? Not a hope in hell - this next year is what will make me who I will become.

Taking a year to consider my options is the most wonderful, brilliant news I could have hoped for - I have a chance to truly do what I wish to do. I can enjoy a year of my life with no pressure, and with a little work, I can go where my heart is set next year. There have been no tears shed, no blood lost - there's actually a smile where there should be a frown.

Because these results aren't the end of the world. They're the start of it.

Taken from General Musings of an Idiot: http://www.gmoai.com

The Revolution. What Twitter Means To Me.

At this precise moment in time, I'm in the middle of a desert, with a large town to the left, and endless protruding mountains to the right. We're taking the five hour drive from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park, here in the good state of California.

To fill time when on holiday, I read. Like most people, books have become a stalwart in the suitcase before we jet off to some big destination. Currently, I'm dipping in and out of a book called 'Twitchhiker', by Paul Smith. It's the story of how Paul travelled the globe, purely from the generosity of his Twitter followers.

As most of you know, I'm a big fan of Twitter. I've been addicted since January 2009, six months before the Big Boom - and oh how it's changed. Growth has been undertaken by Twitter, whilst leaving the core ethos of the social networking site intact. It is still a place to meet new people, follow those people who make you smile and laugh, and a tool used by many to revolutionise the world as we know it.

Everyone has a Twitter story, though. A virtual life never before seen on such a global scale. The Revolution really had taken hold, and changed the way we interact with each other.

I mean, how many friends have you made on Twitter? Met anyone through it? Taken part in a big event from just one 140 character Tweet? Yep, I have.

Over the last two and a half years, I've met many a face who has made me laugh, get angry, feel sorry for, or weep at.

I met Ewan (@Ewbz), Isobel's dad, via Twitter. A very modern twist on a relationship. We Tweet and share stories and links all the time. I was asked once if Ewan and I actually ever speak, or just Tweet each other...

Another friend I've got to know even better is Marty (@nymrtz). I've never actually net Marty, but have known him since 2006. We met via a football forum, and since then we've stayed in touch. Whether it be a message on Facebook, a quick chat via MSN, or now several Tweets a week, I feel that I know him as if I always have.

There's always the lucky follow, too. As a massive Man United fan, following United-related accounts seemed logical. Stumbling across a retweet from one of these accounts led me to Stretty News (@StrettyNews). As many of you now know, I write pieces for the website, and have met a lot of really great people because of it. Another strike of luck for Adam. 1-0.

How about those people you've watched succeed? I've followed Poppy Dinsey (@PoppyD) for a VERY long time now, and watched What I Wore Today (@WIWT) go from strength to strength over the last 18 months. A new site about to launch, and her face in every newspaper - a job well done.

Then there was Mr Chris Floyd (@chrisfloyduk). A brilliant photographer, Chris had the idea to take 140 photos of his Twitter followers, which Isobel and I were very lucky to be a part of. Admittedly, we were probably the most uptight, annoying people Chris had to work with for the project, but in hindsight, it was a great opportunity. Plus Chris is one of the nicest blokes you could ever meet.

My best Twitter story has to be that of Lewis Wiltshire (@LewisWiltshire). A very early follow, as Lewis was the Editor of the BBC Sport website. A few early Tweets, and soon he became almost like a mentor, helping me choose different paths for different outcomes. Certainly someone I'll be keeping in touch with.

Of course, there are countless more people, tales and stories that I could spend all day chatting about. With over 300m Twitter users, there must be an infinite amount of links made and friendships created through a small set of characters.

Many question Twitter's purpose. Some see it as a way to interact with like-minded people. Others view it as a complete waste of time. Personally, I see it as a tool that can help change your life.

Okay, that sounds horrifically cheesy, but think about it - all it takes is 140 characters to make a new friend, get offered a job, or make a career for yourself. I've seen all three happen, so it's gotta be possible!

Agree with me? Fancy making a new friend?! Follow me on Twitter - I'm @Adam9309!

Taken from General Musings of an Idiot: http://www.gmoai.com