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
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