Former care worker Alisha Bysooa is setting her sights on a new career as a solicitor following a call to Kingston University’s Clearing hotline last year.
The first year law student originally started a law degree at Kingston in 2017, before health issues and personal circumstances prompted her to opt for a change of direction and move in to the care sector, working in a residential care home during the pandemic and then becoming a physiotherapy assistant.
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The books then beckoned again and she turned to Clearing in the hope of resuming her studies. “My time in the care sector was truly eye-opening. It taught me so much about myself and the needs of other people and I really enjoyed looking after the care home residents,” the 26 year old, who grew up in Italy and now lives in Reigate, said. “However, law was always something I wanted to do and, by last summer, I’d reached the point where I felt it was the right time to go back to my studies.
“The Clearing process was so straightforward and made me feel excited about returning to university,” she said. “I’ve had such a fantastic time since I’ve been back at Kingston University. I’ve made lots of friends and am really enjoying the course. The staff here have also been so encouraging, including one of my lecturers who I originally met back in 2017 when I was first here. They’ve really helped me to settle back in to campus life.”
Since returning to the University, Alisha has changed her perspective on the area of law she wants to specialise in. “I’ve enjoyed so many aspects of the course that I’m keeping my options open until I graduate,” she said. “I had been set on going into criminal law, but becoming a solicitor is a path I’m now considering, as the module we studied on civil law really opened my eyes to how interesting this side of the profession can be.”
Offering her advice to other students who might be considering changing career and returning to degree studies, Alisha encouraged them to pick up the phone and find out more about what their options might be when Clearing lines opened on 17 August. “If you have the opportunity for a second chance at university, you should grab it because it’s never too late to pursue the career you want,” she said.
Course leader for law with professional experience Eric Jeanpierre praised the work that Alisha had put in during her first year. “Alisha has demonstrated just how hard working and dedicated she is and it is great to see that her experience has been so positive,” he said. “I would urge anyone who has any questions around whether a course might be right for them to ring the Clearing hotline on A-level results day and speak to an academic to find out more.”
Alisha is now eagerly anticipating starting her second year at Kingston University, before exploring the option of a spending a year studying abroad.
Kingston University’s Clearing hotline is open Monday to Friday from 9am until 5pm until the start of term, excluding Bank Holiday on Monday 28 August.
The hotline is open for additional hours on the following dates: Thursday 17 August, 8am to 7pm; Friday 18 August, 8.30am to 6pm; Saturday 20 August, 10am to 4pm. More than 70 hotline operators will be on hand to help prospective students discuss their options and try to secure a place at Kingston University through Clearing
Potential students should call 0800 0483 334, or +44 20 8328 1149 from outside the UK, to speak to the University’s friendly hotline operators.
Calls are free from landlines and mobiles in the UK. International call costs may vary and callers should check with their network provider.
