>be me, 19, Britbong, male, high functioning autist >spend

Mate, you can use UCAS to apply for adjustment/clearing and change the uni you're going to if you get grades better than you were expecting. I've had e-mails from the unis I applied to and UCAS themselves for like a month now about this.

>>17503642
The thing is, I haven't gotten my certificates yet and I won't be able to get them for at least another week because of a issue concerning the marking of additional BTEC units.
When exactly does the Clearing period end?

Your post describes almost exactly how my academic career went, which is pretty spooky. Although I'm a few years ahead of you.

Was always one of the smart kids at an early age. I did OK at GCSE, failed miserablly at AS level. I did a BTEC and got DDD also. I also chose Comp Sci at a good, but not great uni.

Ended up with a 2.1, but haven't achieved much with it desu. Being an autist, I didn't network or socialise.

To answer your questions:

>Has anyone here ever felt as if they've squandered their academic potential?

Yes. Most people feel that way.

>What can I do to change my outlook on things?

If you're able to change Uni's, go ahead. If not, then you'll have to try and make the best of your experience at your chosen Uni.

>>17503658

>I haven't gotten my certificates yet and I won't be able to get them for at least another week because of a issue concerning the marking of additional BTEC units.

You still know what your grades are, universities will consider an application through clearing/adjustment with that and then ask for confirmation afterwards.

Adjustment ends on august 31st, clearing is available "after july 30th through to september" but none of this actually means anything because each university faculty is going to have a different approach to applicants applying through these services.

You are going to have to call up the universities you want to switch up to and find out if they have any spaces on their computer science courses for you, as well as maybe speaking with their computer science departments.

I would do this as soon as possible, I don't know why you didn't do this sooner when its even on your UCAS track page, did no one at your school tell you that you can do this if you do better than expected?

>>17503678
I only found out about my grades yesterday, the exam board for some reason didn't count additional units that I had done in the beginning of my first year in college and it had taken them over a week from Results Day to get everything sorted to the extent that I was able to know what my grades were.
My college has said that my results won't be shown on UCAS until Tuesday.

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>>17503630
Are you me?

Not exactly the same and no failings but I've had a similar experience.

>Great grades in primary school. Also was gifted and talented student.
>Secondary school was good first half, top set of maths etc. still gifted and talented.
>Games and such in the second half got the better of me. Didn't study enough, things went worse, also the constant high expectations of me from teachers and parents as I was a student highly praised cracked me under pressure. GCSES were mainly Bs and Cs.
>Went sixth form college, level 3 btec got DDM but not good enough. Wanted to do a levels at first but didn't pick right subjects in secondary. Still get into somewhat good uni and now doing comp sci.
>Always regret that I could have did better and worked harder. Not even enjoying my course either so far (going to second year now). I feel you anon, honestly I know how it feels, like you've let yourself down and your potential you were told you had and also the expectations pushed onto you now are nothing.

Sorry if it sounds like I'm taking over the thread, just wanted to share my similar input.

>>17503699

Well in that case I would start looking around for other places you would like to apply to.

Its going to be tricky because you're essentially going to have to make a decision on where you want to spend the next several years of your life within a couple of days, and then you are going to have to exhaustively ask around unis to see if they can even take you on through clearing.

You can call up unis and ask if they have clearing spaces and not commit to it, just ask to gather your options and explain your situation if necessary.

But bear in mind, the longer you wait the less spaces will be available.

>>17503668
>>17503718
Thanks a lot for the advice, anons. I've got a lot to think about for the next four days, but hopefully I should be fine.

>>17503700
No problem, man. Hope everything goes well for you.