1. Think of Clearing as an opportunity. You have simply yet to find the course that is best for you and this is an appropriate and exciting time to do it.

2. Don’t panic but do get yourself organised. Each year thousands of students go through Clearing and gain a university place on a course on which they are happy.

3. Make your shortlist of universities/courses and call the Clearing hotlines without delay. You can check the full list of university vacancies published in the national newspapers or use the web.

The UCAS web site carries vacancies as well as links to university sites.

The University of Kent’s vacancies will be listed online at www.kent.ac.uk and you can also apply online as well as by phone.

The University of Kent’s Clearing Hotline number is 0800 021 3126 and will open at 8.00am on A-level results day.

4. Be flexible when you’re checking out what courses are available but be sure they have some connection to your school studies. On the other hand, don’t pick a subject just because you’ve got the required grades. Choose a course you think you’ll enjoy and do well in.

5. Many places on popular courses are filled by mid-morning on results day, so don’t delay. Write down all the questions you want to ask before phoning. Admissions officers are more likely to be impressed if you have thought about what you want. Make a few notes after each call, so you don’t get confused about what is available where and end up ringing the same place twice.

6. Keep trying if you don’t get through first time. The University of Kent Clearing hotline is 0800 021 3126 and normally receives several thousand calls on the first couple of days after A-level results. Stay in touch with the university after your initial approach and leave more than one contact number.

7. Try to visit the university you are considering. Many institutions offer campus tours after the A-level results are published. If you are seriously thinking of accepting an offer through Clearing, it is recommended that you attend one of these if you can. At Kent we have a Clearing Open Day at both the Canterbury and Medway campuses on Saturday, 16 August.

8. Once you have received an offer don’t rush into a decision. Take some time – a few hours or even a day – to think it over but no longer. Ask for that time if necessary – any admissions officer will respect you for that and will usually hold your offer for up to 24 hours.

9. Just because you came through Clearing does not mean that you will be treated as ‘second class’ by either your institution or your colleagues. Everyone, regardless of their entry route, starts with a clean slate.

10. Finally, once your decision is made, don’t worry about it and don’t try to change it. The vast majority of people on the vast majority of courses in all universities say that their experience at university was a worthwhile and enjoyable one.