Depending on who you ask, A-Level results day is either a day of happiness and celebration or a time for tears and the onset of a panic attack. If you find yourself staring at a list of unpleasant letters of the alphabet come 18 August then don't worry, with our top ten tips for UCAS Clearing you'll still be able to find yourself a place at university in 2011.

1. Your planning for results day can start as soon as you finish your last exam. Make sure you are going to be around during results week, and be honest to yourself about your chances of securing a place at your first choice university. If you think you might end up in Clearing then do some research on university websites before results day to see what other places you might like to go to.

2. On results day itself you'll be able to log in to your UCAS Track account in order to see your status. You can see whether you are UF with either your first or insurance choice universities, or if you hold no offers from a university a button will appear called "Add Clearing Choice". If you see this button then you're in Clearing and will now have to find a university that still has places available.

3. You will need to collect your results from your school or college as any universities that you call will ask for these before talking to you further about any potential places available.

4. Before you go home from school or college take the time to talk to the teacher that is responsible for UCAS applications. They will have experience of what to do during the Clearing process and they can help you draw up a plan.

5. The easiest way to find a list of university places that are still available is to either use the database of Clearing places on the UCAS website, or the printed versions that are published in the national papers. The teacher responsible for UCAS applications at your school may also have a list that local universities have sent to them too.

6. You don't have to stick to the type of course you originally applied. For example, if you were looking for business courses but now think that an accountancy course is more your thing, then you can look for accounting courses still available during Clearing. Be aware though, admissions tutors will ask you questions about why you have changed your mind so you'll need to be able to explain your choice well.

7. Remember that you must take responsibility for your own future and talk to universities yourself. They may ask questions about your interests and motivation that your parents or a teacher cannot answer. When you call have your UCAS Clearing Number handy in addition to your grades. Universities will ask for your Clearing Number so that they can view your full UCAS profile, and potentially make you an offer.

8. Most universities offer you the chance to look round their facilities if they have spaces available in Clearing. It is vital that you take the time to go and check them out because you might be spending the next three years there!

9. Most of the people you speak to on the phone during Clearing will be student ambassadors, so don't be afraid to ask them questions whilst you are on the phone to help you work out if you're making the right choice.

10. If an institution provisionally offers you a place then they will give you a deadline for applying to them. You do this via your UCAS Track account. All you need to do is click "Add Clearing choice" on your choices section, and enter in the course details. You only get one choice so make sure you give it a lot of thought beforehand. UCAS will inform the university and if they accept your application it will be shown in UCAS Track plus you'll get a confirmation letter sent to you.