Olivia: Higher education – my first year in university

Last year I started university. I lived in university accommodation and away from home. As somebody with a disability it was an experience. Personally, I try to be as independent as possible, and when it was confirmed that I was moving it felt like I had done it! I am officially independent (kind of)! The idea of living away from home, especially in a city was so exciting, yet daunting. New place, new people it was all, for lack of a better word, new. 

Once I found out where I would be living, I joined my university’s Facebook freshers group to try find who I was going to be living with. This isn’t necessary but I would really recommend you do this as you don’t have a massive awkward phase whilst meeting. As a self-proclaimed independent woman who was fine by herself and never needed help, I found the first few days incredibly difficult. It felt lonely. I missed my family, and my flat weren’t talking much. With time it got better, but I noticed at that point you can’t wait for someone to take the lead with organising meetups etc. Some of my flatmates were quite busy so I asked on the house group chat if anybody would like to explore the city together. This is how I made my first, and closest, friend.

Whilst at university, I noticed that I do enjoy going out, but much preferred socialising in societies. Not only were they fun, different and supportive they also didn’t cost an arm and a leg. I cannot express how important societies were for me, both as a student but as a disabled one. Alcohol and bad sleep from clubbing were worsening my condition. Instead, I joined many societies such as Belly Dance and Aerial Fitness, but also interest-based ones such as DnB. In classes or meet-ups, I could talk, make friends and it made me more confident to be open about my condition.

Handling my disability was difficult, as plans such as EHCPs don’t follow on to university. I had to sacrifice some of my extra needs, and really fight with the university for support in lectures and in accommodation, too. Every university is different, but I struggled to find access to help. Sometimes I would want my mum to help me out, but I had to give formal consent for her to talk. They were very blunt and found the transition hard. I went from having a lot of support and being surrounded by helpful people, to working it out alone. I tried to get in contact with the university before I did my UCAS form, but they would only talk if I had put them as my first choice. My DSA meetings were easy, but directly with the university I felt I had to work ten times as hard as anybody else just to be heard.

One thing everybody must do, disability or not, is budget. Maintenance loans, even the highest amounts, often aren’t enough to pay for accommodation and cost of living. I was fortunate enough that my parents paid for my accommodation, and I would budget for food, activities etc. Your maintenance loan comes in three instalments, and for the first time it can be so fun! You’re in a new place, with new people and you have money!

Many students make the mistake of not budgeting, especially when they receive their first instalment. DON’T. Instead, understand what you will spend this money on e.g. groceries, textbooks and hobbies. Then, divide it out for each week. If possible, leave some for emergencies. With the amount of money you have per week you can get a rough estimate of how much you can spend for each activity. I do a big shop every fortnight by meal planning, only spent £25. Sometimes I didn’t stick to this and, if my budget allowed, would get a takeaway. Making meals in bulk to freeze saves time and money. In the first semester you may have to pay for societies’ memberships so keep in mind, money will leave your account fast.

I loved my first year at university, and my top tips would be to join Facebook groups beforehand, then societies later. Push yourself out of your comfort zone, do something new! Support at university isn’t as easily accessible as it was in school, so research universities and try talk to them before. Remember it is new for everybody and they’re all in the same boat. Lastly, BUDGET!

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