By Hadiyah Qureshi
I had grown up with people telling me that I was smart enough to go to Oxford or Cambridge. After I got amazing GCSE results, I heard that again. So I guess in year 13, it felt like a no brainer to apply to Oxford.
But nothing prepared me for the rejection, even though I was aware that it was super competitive. I thought that perhaps I would at least get an interview, but, I was rejected straight after my application. I was so gutted. It felt like everything had gone wrong and it severely impacted my self-esteem. I think I was crying for a whole week afterwards.
Eventually, I had to accept the fact that I had got rejected and I began to listen to the much needed advice that everyone was telling me. It was time to start looking for a university that I liked just as much.
For me, that was the University of Warwick. It was close enough to London that I could go home for a weekend without it being too gruelling, the campus was self-contained and in its own little world and everyone I knew that had gone to the university loved it so much.
On results day, I opened my results and, too my complete shock , I found myself crying ; again. All of my friends were crying out of happiness and I was crying out of dread. My offer for Warwick was A*A*A and I was one grade below at A*AA. I tried to console myself by thinking that universities accept people below their offers all the time. I immediately turned o
n my laptop, logged into UCAS track and I had been refused.
I couldn’t sleep the night before results day because I feared for the worst, and that had now come true. The only thing that had gotten me through my Oxford rejection was knowing that I could go to Warwick, but now hat I wasn’t going to happen either and I didn’t know what to do.
That’s when I decided I was fed up of having others decide my life, I took charge and became the CEO of my university decision. I began to look for universities in clearing and the University of Bath stood out for me. So, in between my tears, I called up and I was given a verbal offer that was only valid for 4 days.
Those 4 days, were so intense – I watched so many YouTube videos on the Bath University that I felt like I knew the campus like the back of my hand. And now I actually do. Just over one month into my first term, I am absolutely loving it.
The entire experience was a reminder that although I may not feel like it, I am always the one in control of my life. My A Level results were amazing and nobody can take away my pride in knowing that I did the best I could. Even though the rejections were out of my hands and at points it felt like the end of the world, I’ve realised, that I will always be the CEO of my life. I can always control what comes next !
This is an incredible program that I myself have been on and I’m such a huge advocate for. If you are in second or third year at university and you want a glimpse into the world of executive office management business and responsibility … I can’t recommend it enough.
After a very short application process you could be paired with one of the top CEOs in the UK from companies like ASOS , ITV , CANCER RESEARCH , SAINSBURYS, THE ROYAL MINT. And so many other amazing organisations.
Click any of our links with details on how to apply.
It’s the ultimate work experience.
Speak to you Gals soon !!
Leave a Reply