Peas in a Pod

As the phones have started calming down, we have had more time in the office to have a chat with our fellow clearing officers. It’s really nice to finally be able to hold a conversation. My quote of the week which was taken from Rachel (who sits next to me) ‘inner beauty doesn’t get you laid’ This particular quote does not represent the views of University of Greenwich (put that in to cover our butts) but it does cause controversy. I also have this quote as my Facebook status. Did you know that employers these days access your social networking profiles to gain an insight into your life and can use it when selecting people for interview? So either keep you status’ decent or up your privacy settings!

Its pea season! One of the many quirky things about me is that I love garden peas! I don’t eat frozen peas or processed peas or even mushy peas, but I looooove peas fresh out of the pod! They are available in most local supermarkets at the moment. M&S have special offers on them.

I’ve got my future father-in-law's wedding on Saturday. So I’ve been pruning myself especially for the special day. Wednesday I had my nails done and yesterday I got a weave done (a couple of tracks of hair similar to hair extensions that are stitched into little plaits) Tonight I shall be getting my eyebrows threaded and eyelashes extended. A lot of effort us women go through to look extra hot!

Nikki has been keeping me updated with my calorie intake. I’m not on a diet but she reckons I am eating an extra days worth of food per week! This info cannot get back to my bf because he won’t be impressed hehe.

Today we are saying goodbye to 3 members of the clearing team; Emma, Bally and Julia are moving on to graduate jobs. They all are such amazing people and I wish the best of luck! Check out their final blogs!

P.S: I was highest call taker in for Thursday in my team! Woop! And Hannah makes amazing cakes!

Main Clearing... Arggh!

So I’m normally pretty good with keeping up to date with my blogs but this week it’s been manic in the office!

Look Ma! I'm Famous!

A level results day out office took 6851 calls...Personally I took 130 calls. I was 3rd place in the highest number of calls taken. Go Me! Nikki who my fellow blogger and is also on my Team took the highest amount of calls a whopping 158!
A level day was non-stop phone calls and where we would love to offer everyone a place it’s not necessarily possible. So if you didn’t get the grades you expected and you’re in limbo aka as clearing, first things first do some research. Our buddies and UCAS have details of all the universities offering courses. Please don’t be the person just wants a place and doesn’t care about the course.

University is not something you should undertake without careful consideration. You need to really love the subject you are going to study or it’s just going to make the next 3-4 years of your life very hard. Do you remember those dreaded history lessons (never liked history in school) when you had no motivation to do work. The same will happen if you’re taking on a degree in something you have no interest in.
So what can you do? If all else fails access courses! If you are missing those crucial GCSE’s or A Levels they are the solution! Access courses are run at local colleges and dependent on what qualifications you already have you won’t have to complete the whole thing just the bits you missing. There are access courses specific to you particular interest or general access to higher education.
So what’s keeping me going through this stressful time I hear you ask...Starbucks Chocolate Cream Frapuccino with cream on top! Me and Hannah Arnold (previously Tinson she got married in June I was lucky enough to attend her be.a.utiful wedding) visit Starbucks on our lunch break to satisfy our cravings!

By the way update on the wedding preparations ...Why do jewellery shops not stock all sizes! I don’t want to wait I want a ring now! So I’m going to order online instead. Need an engagement ring before Saturday as I have my future father-in-laws wedding to attend and everyone will want to see what’s on my finger!
Last but not least I was photographed for some online publicity stuff on the website so you can see a photo of me holding a massive sign! It’s pretty ridiculous have a look... http://www.gre.ac.uk/pr/articles/latest/a1875-clearing

Clearing

So it’s this time of year when I get to work full time in the Enquiry Unit office. Answering queries from new applicants and taking applications.

It’s a very busy time of year for us, especially on A Level results day!

So some hints and tips for calling to make your life easier and ours:

Are you making a clearing application?

Have you got any outstanding offers?

Yes – You can only make an application when you don’t have any. So go check on UCAS!

No. Good Stuff! Now you need a clearing reference number from UCAS. Once you have your Clearing reference number, you have got your UCAS personal ID, You have all your grades finalised. Check the Greenwich website if we are taking applications for your course. Then give us a call 0800 005 006.

During clearing we look at your qualifications to determine whether we can offer you a place. Make sure you UCAS application have your GCSE as well as A Level/BTEC or whatever your qualifications are written on your application. If you don’t have them written on there it’s more likely that you won’t be offered a place.

You haven’t heard from us after 2 weeks? Give us a call! We can check the status of your application. Our academics handle many applications so please be patient. Keep an eye on your email as this is how we will let you initially. If you have given us a hotmail email address; emails sometimes bounce back so try and provide us with an alternative, yahoo, gmail, aol..... But not to worry, just add our email to your safe sender list offers@gre.ac.uk and there shouldn’t be a problem!

Have you got an offer?

Remember to reply to it asap and then go to UCAS and select Greenwich as your clearing choice! The next step will be a fee assessment form that you will receive in the post, as well as joining instructions. Our online registration starts from 1st September so you will also receive an email that day with your login details. Any problems don’t hesitate gave us a call 0800 005 006!

Hope you found this helpful! :)

FUNeral

On returning from my holiday in Turkey I was unfortunate to hear that my aunt passed away (my dad’s sister) as she didn’t get married or have children, my Dad is classed as her next of kin. This means we have to sort out all of the funeral plans. My Dad being in his late 60’s has given me the task of sorting it all out. I tell you it is LONG.COM.

I was very fortunate that she had paid for her funeral in advance. She arranged it almost a year ago through the Co-Op...pretty freaky! They pretty much sort everything out for it, but it was up to me to choose the hymns n readings, and trawl through many photos to find the perfect photo for the order or service. I am so glad that I am a big fan of photo shoots so if I was ever to pass away there’s quite a range of good pictures of me.

So the funeral’s arranged for Monday 16th August. My Dad suggested the Friday of the same week but that is one of the busiest times in the clearing office so would not want to take the day off. My Dad and I are off to Costco tonight to buy some alcohol. I’m guessing that the alcohol will be the fun bit that funeral is made up of. (FUNeral)

I seem to have become an expert in the dealing of funeral, probate and death certifications, so I guess if any more family members pass away I will be back on the case!

It’s probably not the best of topics to write a blog about but it’s what my week has consisted of! Happy Monday!