Luke, now 19, went to his first choice university in Wales in September 2002 but quickly realised that it wasn't for him. Luke is now studying Computing with Multimedia at the University of Gloucestershire and living back at home with his mum and dad. "I was put in accommodation with some older students and the kitchen was a tip - I'm not houseproud but it was disgusting," he recalls. "Also they all slept until late afternoon and were up all night - not great when I was trying to get my head round a major life change. "I think I was just unlucky in who I was sharing with as a friend's accommodation at the same uni was fine, but it was a real shock to the system." 
I had never read much about clearing so I didn't know what to expect. The university made it really easy for me. | | Luke Roberts |
After two weeks Luke knew he'd made a mistake - and was pleased when his parents backed his decision to come home. "Basically I panicked - and I felt really guilty that my mum and dad had bought so much stuff like bedding and pots and pans to help set me up to live away from home. "But they knew I wasn't happy - though when she sees the state of my bedroom now I don't know if Mum is always entirely pleased I came back!" Luke had been looking forward to going away to uni when he left Sir Thomas Rich's School - but he doesn't regret coming home. "My older brother didn't go away to uni and said he'd regretted it, so that influenced my decision. "I had also heard that going away to university was an amazing experience but I never heard anyone say that it could be a bad experience - but unfortunately it was for me." Luke wasn't sure what to do next but clearing smoothed the path for him to sign on at the University of Gloucestershire in time for the start of his new course - the only thing he missed was the Freshers Fair. "I had never read much about clearing so I didn't know what to expect. The university made it really easy for me.
Living at home is great. I still get a loan and also have a part-time job at a local video shop. | | Luke Roberts |
"I gave them a call to see if I could transfer my course and they told me I could have a place and was welcome. "They helped me as much as they could and just did everything. "Living at home is great. I still get a loan and also have a part-time job at a local video shop. "I have got involved with university life and am the student rep for the computing course. "I hang out with my new friends from university at the student bar but also get to go home and see my other friends - I feel I've got the best of both worlds." <<Back to After A-Levels Guide 
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