Published on 12, July, 2020
Wen I left school I had no qualifications whatsoever, I had not been able to learn a thing in the classrooms even though I am not totally stupid. I only seem to be able to retain fragments of information which very rarely connect with others.
This has come up again for me because my lifelong love of science has decided me to study the subject and try for a qualification of some sort, my initiall efforts take me right back to school days, I can absorb just so much them everything else gets scrambled and nothing sticks any more
Does anyone else have similar experience of learning? Did you find a way of overcoming any difficulties you may have had?
I would be glad to hear from anybody about this.
This is well-timed because I filled out my student support plan today as a postgrad and it went really well. I didn't have a diagnosis when I went to university the first time and it was a completely different experience, so I understand your hesitation.
Colleges and universities will make arrangements to accommodate students with disabilities, this includes working with your learning style and making reasonable adjustments to the environment. For me, there is no point going to an audio lecture because I don't retain information that I can't see, but if I have something I can read then it avoids the frustration. This means I am given handouts in advance and I can sit by the door so I can leave if I am overwhelmed. I'm applying for Disabled Students Allowance (everyone can do this as it isn't means tested) which funds equipment like a digital recorder with software to play it back and a specialist mentor to help manage stress and the transition back to student life. It means if the 'scrambling' happens, then I don't need to stress that I have missed anything because I can have another look at it later, when I am on my own, and talk it through with somebody who understands AS.
My experience of student support has been great, there is a lot of help out there and it would be worth contacting your prospective institution so you know what to expect in advance.
there might also be the availability of a note taker, depending on your severity.
find out if your prospective institution does testing for dyslexia, if not then you need to do it via your GP
You might have initial screening which will be a few questions and some tests eg you are told a set of numbers and you have to repeat them backwards, you will be asked spelling and things. It is ok, they are just seeing if you are dyslexic and then you are sent for the proper test which is similar but there is more of it. You can ask for breaks, they go at your pace as that is part of it as well and they are assessing your severity. Ask for the report in written and electronic formats. Keep the printed one safe. You might also be tested for Irlen Eye Syndrome and be given coloured plastic overlays for your books/computer screen to help calm down the white page for you.
When you start your studies, tell them you are dyslexic, ask for the dyslexic support, speak with them and email your report to them. They should help you by getting you to do a form for DSA disabled students allowance. The DSA will have a chat with you about your study needs and come up with the recommended help for you, your dyslexic support should help by discussing it with you beforehand. Or if you are applying for student loans you might have an option on there to declare dyslexia but you will still need to do some form filling and have the official stamp and signature that you are studying there - the learning support will help you.
There are Access Courses if you are able to do one which will help you back into studying or maybe foundation year? If not the first year is about settling in and getting used to university study and getting to grips with the subjects as much as anything else. For many they are away from home and trying to stand on their own two feet etc. So the first year marks don't count towards the degree.
Contact the institution(s) ask to visit and for a chat - ask about the courses, subjects, workload and about support and if they have any quiet study areas, how many hours lectures and how many laboratory sessions. You might only have 2 days lectures but being full time, the other 3 days are for studying, your self learning research, reading and actions etc from those lectures.
DSA is incredibly useful if you decide to undertake higher level study such as a degree. If your studying other courses, such as a community course or a BTEC, this support isn't available. If you buy study skills books relating to dyslexia you might be able to find some strategies that work for you. For example, making giant mindmaps with post it notes, cut outs of pictures etc really helps me.
www.amazon.co.uk/.../ref=pd_lpo_sbs_14_t_0