Hi there, I'm Luna.
Do you want me to help you find the perfect course in Clearing this year?
Andrea is a parent whose daughter went through Clearing. Hear her story.
Entering Clearing in general is stressful as your child will be competing for places at universities with many others. Also, knowing how your child reacts during high-pressure situations will determine the type of support needed from you.
These expert tips will not only prepare you for that outcome but will also equip you with the parent support they need during university Clearing.
Understand how university Clearing works
A big part of providing excellent parent support is understanding how the Clearing process works. Learning how students enter Clearing, what happens during the process and what students need to do to gain a place on a course is key research that can prepare you in the leadup to results day.
The realisation that you’re going through Clearing can be upsetting for some, so it helps to have a calm support system that knows exactly how to guide their child through the process. Use this knowledge to make a plan. Think about alternative universities and have their details to hand and the entry requirements for certain subjects.
Know who to go to for help during Clearing
Knowing who’ll be available to speak to on results day and establishing contact with staff members who can advise and help can come in handy if your child needs to go through Clearing. If you both find yourselves unsure about the next steps or what to do, there should normally be someone on hand to speak to about your child’s options through Clearing.
Give your child space to absorb their results
You may want to go with them to pick up their results or be in the room with them when they open their emails, but some students will just want their space. Rather than asking them questions that can feel overwhelming (like what happens now, and where they are going to go to uni), let them decide their next steps and be prepared to support them in whichever way they want. That could be getting a list of numbers for them to call, being a sounding board as they talk through their thoughts and options, or just making sure they’re fuelled up with a good breakfast as they prepare to enter Clearing.
Encourage them to make those phone calls
Emotions definitely run high on results day and the realisation that you need to enter Clearing can lead to a mixed bag of them. But students must be the ones making the calls to unis they want to pursue and speaking to advisers. They may be asked questions about why they want to study a particular degree or at a university, and only they can answer that. The best support you can give is encouraging them to call and explain the situation they’re in. Advisers also know it’s a very emotional time for students, and will have a good grasp on how to help.
