Second chance for graduate Beulah due to clearing system
Student who achieved first-class degree urges others to do the same
Grief affects us all at one time or another in our lives – whether it be due to the death of a loved one or some other form ofloss.
“It is a normal emotion we feel as a response to loss,” says Claire Collins, a bereavement coordinator with Marie Curie (www. mariecurie.org.uk).
“Throughout our lives we experience many different types of loss, such as relationship breakdowns, redundancy, financial, health and the death of a loved one. These losses can often lead to a further series of losses.
“Many symptoms of grief can be experienced after the loss of a loved one,” says Claire. “The emotional responses include shock, numbness, denial, isolation, loneliness, sadness, anger, despair, emptiness, helplessness, fear and anxiety.
“We cannot ‘see’ these emotions, but there may be more obvious physical symptoms such as disrupted sleep (sleeping more or inability to sleep), loss of appetite, tearfulness, lethargy, panic attacks, increased susceptibility to colds and illness. These responses to loss are normal and do not last forever.”
“When you’re experiencing a bereavement it is important you look after yourself and eat regularly,” says Claire.
“Try to get out and take some physical exercise if you can.
“Also, try to make space and time for yourself and to remember your loved one. Plus, remember grieving is ‘normal’ – give yourself time as your grief will change.
“If you are struggling to cope with your feelings, seek further help. Talk to your GP or friends and family who could find assistance for you if needed.”
A WOMAN who graduated from a city university with a first-class degree has urged others to consider going through the clearing system if they miss out on their first choice.
Keen academic Beulah Waritimi was given a ‘second chance’ by the University of Portsmouth three years ago when she was able to enrol on the international relations with a language BA.
She had studied A-levels in biology, chemistry and Mandarin with the intention of going on to pursue biomedical science.
However, she found she was no longer as interested in that idea nearer the time – and didn’t quite get the grades needed.
The 21-year-old said: ‘I was on course to study biomedical science but I wasn’t quite sure about it and I’d already started thinking about international relations and at that point I really didn’t know what to do.
‘Then my results didn’t work out for biomedical science so I thought “go for it.”
‘I started calling up loads of universities. I had my family with me all going through the lists. Then I looked up international relations degrees online and found the University of Portsmouth. Not long before their clearing line closed I called them and spoke to a woman. She told me they had a place for me, it was an amazing feeling.’
After securing her degree this year Beulah, who moved from Nigeria to attend an English boarding school as a child, has been offered a place studying a fully-funded masters degree at Cambridge.
She added: ‘I’d never even been to Portsmouth before so I was nervous but the fact I was given a second chance was wonderful. When you don’t get the grades you need sometimes it feels like your world is crumbling, but Portsmouth gave me a chance.
‘Clearing feels like the end of the world, but to those going through it, you’re so much more than your grades. This is a single moment in your life. You will survive and thrive.’
‘I would tell people to go with their heart about what they want to study.
‘I want to go on to study a PhD and then I’d like to work in women’s and girl’s education back in Nigeria .’