My name is Richard Sackey-Addo, I’m 30 years old from South London and I studied BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science and MSc Sports Performance at the University of Bedfordshire between 2011 and 2015.

Unfortunately, my final A Level results weren't quite what I was hoping for, which meant I missed out on my first and second choice universities. The BSc Sport and Exercise course at the University of Bedfordshire stood out to me as a way to continue learning about a wide range of performance sport and exercise topics which I really enjoyed at school.

I remember that the team I spoke to over the phone were really helpful about what I needed to apply and what my options were, which was great because the Clearing process can be a time when you feel very unsure or anxious about your next steps. Having the team be very patient and understanding really stood out to me about the university.

Really positive! I found that being part of a smaller university gave me more opportunity to engage with my lecturers in and out of lectures. A lot of the teaching staff have so much experience and large professional networks so it was a great benefit to have frequent guest talks from people working in the industry or former graduates. Many of us were also able to secure internships or work experience through these professional networks that our staff had, which is invaluable to help you get your foot in the door.

Being a student can be a steep learning curve in terms of managing your finances and it's never been more difficult. If there are opportunities for you to work part-time alongside your studies, that can be a big help – if it doesn't impact too much on your studies. It's important to do your research, speak to your lecturers or other industry contacts you might have to see if you're able to secure a paid work opportunity or internship in the field you'd like to work in. That can benefit not only your finances but can provide you with valuable work experience too.

Try and challenge yourself to have a go at new activities or hobbies and to mix with new people where you can. From my experience, you'd be amazed at what new skills or hobbies you can pick up or who might end up becoming a close friend when you step outside of your comfort zone.

Don't be afraid to ask questions to staff or former students to find out more information. The University of Bedfordshire has such a diverse community of people from all walks of life, different parts of the country and internationally so it's a great place to have the opportunity to get to know a wide variety of people.