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'Don't be afraid to change lanes after A-level results day' 'Don't be afraid to change lanes after A-level results day'
(about 1 hour later)
Amelia Shackleton was academic at school but realised she wanted to do something hands-on for a livingAmelia Shackleton was academic at school but realised she wanted to do something hands-on for a living
A student who swapped her pen for a spanner on results day to follow her dream says people should not be afraid to change lanes.A student who swapped her pen for a spanner on results day to follow her dream says people should not be afraid to change lanes.
University of Derby student Amelia Shackleton had studied academic subjects her whole school life - thinking hands-on, male-dominated subjects like mechanics were not for her.University of Derby student Amelia Shackleton had studied academic subjects her whole school life - thinking hands-on, male-dominated subjects like mechanics were not for her.
But despite getting higher grades than she needed to take up a place studying English Literature, she instead chose to go through clearing. But despite getting higher grades than she needed to take up a place studying English literature, she instead chose to go through clearing.
Now, after a Foundation Year to get up to speed, the 21-year-old motorsports fanatic is about to move into a final year studying motorsports engineering. Now, after a foundation year to get up to speed, the 21-year-old car fanatic is about to move into a final year studying motorsports engineering.
"I just stuck with what I knew" Amelia, from Grimsby in Lincolnshire, grew up watching superbikes and speedway with her mum Claire, while her stepdad Andy "used to mess about with cars and bikes for fun" as an amateur mechanic.
Amelia, from Grimsby, grew up watching superbikes and speedway with her mum Claire, while her stepdad Andy "used to mess about with cars and bikes for fun" as an amateur mechanic.
But "nervous" Amelia didn't transfer her love of engines into her schooling.But "nervous" Amelia didn't transfer her love of engines into her schooling.
She said: "I don't know why, I didn't picture myself in it, thinking it would be cool but it's not anything people around here would get into, and I don't think I'm smart enough.She said: "I don't know why, I didn't picture myself in it, thinking it would be cool but it's not anything people around here would get into, and I don't think I'm smart enough.
"I felt like it was quite a rare thing for women to go into that sort of environment, so I just stuck with what I knew.""I felt like it was quite a rare thing for women to go into that sort of environment, so I just stuck with what I knew."
Instead Amelia focussed on English, maths and biology - until her A-level results came through. 'Give it a try'
Instead Amelia focused on English, maths and biology - until her A-level results came through.
She said: "I'd really stressed myself out thinking that I wasn't even going to get the results that I wanted to for English, and because I was kind of riding the high of doing better than I thought, I was having quite a confident day.She said: "I'd really stressed myself out thinking that I wasn't even going to get the results that I wanted to for English, and because I was kind of riding the high of doing better than I thought, I was having quite a confident day.
"I was in my living room I've just come back from picking up my results and I just thought I don't want to do English, I don't want to go to the universities that I've chosen, and my mum was like 'Just have a look at clearing.'" "I was in my living room I've just come back from picking up my results and I just thought I don't want to do English, I don't want to go to the universities that I've chosen, and my mum was like 'just have a look at clearing'."
Amelia said she is still building her confidence and hopes to find a career doing "something hands-on" after graduation. Amelia says she is still building her confidence and hopes to find a career doing "something hands-on" after graduation.
She said: "I think what kept me back a little bit is staying in my comfort zone too much, that's why I chose the A levels that I did and then that's why I chose what I was going to do at university. She said: "I think what kept me back a little bit is staying in my comfort zone too much, that's why I chose the A-levels that I did and then that's why I chose what I was going to do at university.
"I'm happy that I actually decided that I'll at least give it a try.""I'm happy that I actually decided that I'll at least give it a try."
University beckons for many A-level students after results dayUniversity beckons for many A-level students after results day
With A-level results day on Thursday, UCAS anticipates a record number of more than 76,000 students choosing to go through clearing this year.With A-level results day on Thursday, UCAS anticipates a record number of more than 76,000 students choosing to go through clearing this year.
The University of Derby says clearing is increasingly not just for people who haven't made the grade they needed.The University of Derby says clearing is increasingly not just for people who haven't made the grade they needed.
A spokesperson said: "There are plenty of reasons students go through clearing – they may have changed their mind on what and where to study, received better results than expected, or are simply exploring new options. A spokesperson said: "There are plenty of reasons students go through clearing - they may have changed their mind on what and where to study, received better results than expected, or are simply exploring new options.
"Student priorities have reshaped in recent years, and more people are using clearing proactively, not reactively.""Student priorities have reshaped in recent years, and more people are using clearing proactively, not reactively."
Recent University of Derby graduate Omoye Dsangbedo, 22, also switched her course even though she had achieved the grades she had hoped for.Recent University of Derby graduate Omoye Dsangbedo, 22, also switched her course even though she had achieved the grades she had hoped for.
"Don't be afraid to start over again" says recent graduate Omoye "Don't be afraid to start over again," recent graduate Omoye Dsangbedo says
Omoye, from Lagos, had been due to study biomechanical engineering at the University of Kent, but after a heart-to-heart with family about her love of technology she switched to a computer science course. Omoye, from Lagos, had been due to study biomechanical engineering at the University of Kent, but after a heart-to-heart with family about her love of technology, she switched to a computer science course.
She said: "The last minute, sudden change was a lot - but we pushed through.She said: "The last minute, sudden change was a lot - but we pushed through.
"Don't be afraid to make change because you never know what that's going to bring."Don't be afraid to make change because you never know what that's going to bring.
"If you told 18-year-old me to change her course, she'd be looking at you so confused, but clearing was probably one of the best things that happened."If you told 18-year-old me to change her course, she'd be looking at you so confused, but clearing was probably one of the best things that happened.
"Sometimes it is necessary for an abrupt change to happen, just so you can see how capable you are."Sometimes it is necessary for an abrupt change to happen, just so you can see how capable you are.
"Don't be afraid to start over again, as nerve wracking and scary as that can be." "Don't be afraid to start over again, as nerve-wracking and scary as that can be."
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