Nicole’s story
Nicole Cilio’s journey to university might have been a little more complicated than originally planned, but Clearing gave her options. Now in her second year of our Psychology (with a professional placement year) BSc, Sussex is helping Nicole take the next step towards her dream career.
Clearing at Sussex helped me find the path I really wanted.” Nicole Cilio
Psychology (with a professional placement year) BSc
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“I've always been interested in the connection between brain and body, but a few years ago, I realised this was my calling. When my grandma suffered a stroke, she lost her ability to speak, but slowly learned to walk again. She’s my inspiration, and watching her adapt to the world with so much resilience made me want to build a future in neuropsychology.
As I’m originally from Lisbon, and had also spent time living in Germany, choosing a UK university felt a little bit overwhelming. I spent hours researching Psychology courses to find the right fit. I enrolled on a Foundation course, but narrowly missed the grades I needed to progress, so started to consider my options. Clearing felt pretty nerve-wracking, but I’d heard Sussex was a popular choice for Psychology and decided to explore whether I’d be eligible for a place. Thankfully, the Admissions team were so helpful and the application process was pretty straightforward. I moved from wondering if my plans had fallen apart to feeling an enormous sense of relief.
I was a bit worried about moving into halls because I was a few years older than many other first years, but my boyfriend suggested I give it a chance. I’m so glad I did – applying through Clearing meant I was guaranteed a spot and I was offered my preferred room in East Slope. My flatmates became some of my closest friends and we’ve chosen to live together ever since.
I love life in the UK because everyone has been so kind and welcoming. Little things still confuse me sometimes – people here eat dinner closer to 6pm than 9pm and the concept of beans on toast was a big shock for me! And Brighton really feels like home. I think I fell in love with the city before I knew much about Sussex because it reminds me of Lisbon in lots of ways. It’s colourful, creative and full of life.
I’m now in my second year and I’ve really enjoyed how challenging my course is. We’ve had opportunities to explore research methods, neuroscience and biology and I’ve loved learning how the brain forms new neural connections. I’m also excited to start my Placement Year in September, where I’ll be working with a local addiction charity. It’s very different to everything I’ve done before, but I’m looking forward to caring for clients and gaining practical experience for my future career.
Clearing can feel scary because you’re making an important decision and maybe even moving away from home for the first time. Remember: it’s fine to take a breath and figure out your options. Clearing at Sussex not only opened new opportunities for me, but helped me find the path I really wanted.”
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+44 (0)1273 678416