How neurodivergent and disabled students can embrace the university life they desire and deserve

Burnt toast is setting off fire alarms every hour of the night and day. Noisy, and sometimes drink-affected, fellow students are enjoying parties. A busy, bustling, even confusing environment.

Life as a university student with neurodiversity isn’t always easy.

Inaccessible lecture halls. Classes that are too far away to walk to. Buses that run late or don’t always turn up.

For a disabled student trying to reach lectures, there are often significant hurdles to overcome.

Why am I talking about the pitfalls of being at university for those with neurodiversity and disabilities?

Well, it’s an important subject which is central to the lives of neurodivergent and disabled people who want to get the education they desire and deserve.

And because this year, I have become one of those people. In the last few weeks, I started a new university course with all the trials and tribulations that can bring.

It’s not the first time I’ve gone to university, and on the previous occasion, things didn’t go well. Structures and policies I was told would be put in place were ignored.

Life became too hard in and of itself, let alone needing to study at the same time, and I eventually had to leave the course.

So it was with some trepidation, mingled with excitement, that I decided to give university a second chance.

The good news is that the service I’ve received this time around has been amazing. I have nothing but praise for the support staff I’ve been working with, but there are a few steps you can take to help yourself as well.

One thing I would advise anyone with neurodiversity or a disability to do is to put everything in writing.

Even if you think a query may be somewhat frivolous, if it is important to you, then you should ask about it.

It is always better to be open, honest, and to work through any issues with support staff. Building effective and straightforward relationships with people will make your life far easier, allowing you to concentrate on your studies.

The trick is to be persistent and firm, but also polite. University support staff can be very busy, especially at the start of term when they are dealing with thousands of students arriving, issues around everything from maintenance and housekeeping, and even personal evacuation plans for those with extra needs. This means it might sometimes take a while for them to get to your email and query.

In such circumstances, it is important to remember two things: don’t be afraid to be persistent, and try not to panic.

One thing to say upfront is that you shouldn’t be hard on yourself if you do have a moment of panic or worry - I know I did.

It is perfectly reasonable to have that moment, as long as you remember that once you calm down, it is time to think logically and go, ‘Right, how do we deal with this?’

Approach things calmly and sensibly, work with staff members and your family, and communicate with them continuously. At the end of the day, there are lots of things to overcome at this time of year, but people do want to help.

For me, there were some specific actions which have helped me to settle into university life.

These include getting a personal evacuation plan sorted. One of my primary concerns, being disabled and neurodivergent, is what I need to do if a fire alarm goes off - which in campus accommodation is highly likely.

There needs to be a way I can exit the building safely and easily, and be able to let staff know where I am.

And I have to say, the staff here have been brilliant in terms of helping me with this planning. Courses start next week, and I've already had tours of all the buildings, and we've been working on evacuation routes. 

Before the course has even started, they've got those vital things in place. They’ve been really diligent. 

I've had health and safety measures and security considered, with everyone involved, including building managers and fire wardens. All the proposed measures have been really well communicated. 

On top of that, they’ve worked to make sure I have arrangements in place to help me get to courses in a timely manner. 

They're also aware that due to my disability, I may be late or unable to attend, and therefore my attendance and punctuality have been, if not waived, then taken into account and recognised.

I know just how important this level of support is, because it’s exactly what I didn’t get last time I went to university.

Back then, it seemed like everything was in place and then, well, it wasn't. Getting to lectures and being able to access everything I needed became impossible.

My aim this time around is to be able to have as unexceptional a time as everyone else. 

I hate the word ‘normal’ in these circumstances. Firstly, I’m not normal - who is?! - but also, it is a word that is so often used in a condescending or othering way. 

So, I say ‘average’ or ‘unexceptional,’ not because I believe I’m either of those things but because I should be, and deserve to be, treated with the same respect as the next person.

And that should be the case for you, too. You have the right to live your life in as similar a way to a non-disabled person as is possible.

By all means, take advantage of what is being offered if you feel you need to. That is not a problem. 

If you need something to help you live your university life in whatever way you need to live it, ask, and if people don't listen, then badger them, but most of all, remember you are equal to and have the same rights as everyone else.

One aspect of university life that I’m really enjoying, and would encourage anyone in a similar situation to embrace, is the wide array of societies on offer.

I was able to take myself out of my personal safe space by messaging a society I was interested in, telling them about how it had been a long time since I'd interacted in a social group in the way they operated.

I was terrified, if I'm honest, but they were brilliant. By the end of the night, I had joined that society, and this week, I went to a bowling alley with them. I met some mature students like me and had a really fun time.

Another aspect of this university I'm interested in is dedicated to neurodivergence. It has a much quieter atmosphere than you would otherwise get at university. They have an area dedicated to people who don't want to talk, but do want company. People can enjoy what is known as parallel play, or I guess parallel study, where they can do whatever they want next to somebody else who's in the room doing their own thing, but you don't talk to each other and don't interact in any way.

This is quite a common need for neurodivergent people. Whether it be autism, ADHD, or acquired neurodivergence like mine, social interaction can be, by its very nature, extremely tiring.

Groups like this are essential to help neurodivergent and disabled students embrace university life.

I'm aiming to make them part of my experience and suggest that anyone else entering further education should do so too.

After all, there will be plenty of real and metaphoric burnt toast moments that will test your resolve along the way.

Enjoying the good things that come with university, and making sure you have what you need in place, will help you get the education you deserve.

• I offer a host of services, from mentorship and tutoring to mental health workshops. If you want to know more about how I can help you or your child, you can fill out an enquiry form here or contact me on Facebook.