An Unconventional Application Story

A-Level results have just passed, so I thought that a year on it was probably time to tell you my University application story. The truth is, I applied for a course I didn’t really want to do; hear me out, it wasn’t like I wasn’t passionate about the subject, I did however find it extraordinarily difficult and the prospect of studying it intensely for three years made me feel completely overwhelmed…but of course I didn’t tell anyone that, because I was far more concerned with keeping up appearances, and applying for a subject my sixth form deemed “worthwhile”. If anything I’m just thankful that I found Leicester, as it really helped me see what I really wanted to do.

I came to two open days when applying to Leicester, one for a generalized look around and the other for my specific department. As much as I obviously loved the department I was touring, it was one particular talk, given at the university, that really got me thinking. With an intention of studying a minor in film studies, I had been in a few talks at different universities that also gave me this opportunity. But it was actually the speech given, in the little basement film theatre, that I now spend an extraordinary amount of time in, that made me think differently. Suddenly I had a light bulb moment, I felt so inspired and had a complete longing to be able to explore film studies more…but, of course, my course would only permit me to study a minor, along with my main subject.

As time went by, and my A-level exams had gone decidedly average (more on that another time), I became more and more miserable, and anxious about the path ahead. So when I left sixth form, away from the somewhat judgmental pressure, I made a decision. At one of the open days I had been given a card with the contact information to one of the lecturers in the History of Art and Film department (shout out to Guy, thank you so much!), so I just dropped him a short but rather muddled email, generally feeling overwhelmed and emotional. Long story short, and several emails later, I had made a decision to change what subject to enroll in at Leicester, choosing Film Studies and the Visual Arts. And yes, I cried, I felt like I would be judged or nobody would understand, but overall I was happy, even if I didn’t really know anything about the subject area I was diving into.

I guess it’s probably best to fast forward to the here and now, and to tell you that the decision that caused me so much anguish is one of the best choices I have made in my life so far. There’s been challenges, but above all of those there’s been so much inspiration and happiness, finally feeling like I truly do want to study something everyday, always being interested…and willing to get up at 6:30am to get to a lecture. Plus, funnily enough, if I had continued on my previous path, I wouldn’t have been accepted, I didn’t do well enough in the exam I required for the suject, so who knows if I’d have got to Leicester and had such a fantastic year…

My point is, that this time of life is so sporadic but structured, and amazing but difficult, but it’s yours, so why let anyone else steer the path for you? There’s always a chance to change direction, so no matter how you did on results day, hold your head high, and form a path passionately, working with what you’ve got. I’m proud of you.

Take Care Everyone, I’ll Speak to You All Soon.