Uplifting story about college glory (5)
I believe the answer is:
eclat
'glory' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'uplifting story about college' is the wordplay.
'uplifting' shows that the letters should be reversed in order.
'story' becomes 'tale' (synonyms).
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'college' becomes 'c'.
'tale' enclosing 'c' is 'talce'.
'talce' written backwards gives 'ECLAT'.
(Other definitions for eclat that I've seen before include "brilliant effort" , "Splash" , "Splendour; renown" , "Enthusiastic approval" , "Brilliant success - striking effect" .)