Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi,
I started uni last semester. The 1st semester had a rough start but was okay, fun even. But after coming back from the Christmas holidays I have been miserable. My flatmates are loud and messy and put flashing lights in the kitchen when they drink everynight. I realise I don't have many friends here and the friends I do have all have better friends than me if that makes sense and rarely want to hang out. Its really lonely. Especially when i can hear people having fun partying in the kitchen when I am not welcome (my bedroom is next to the kitchen). I have exams this week and next week and its hard to revise when you're burnt out from all the meltdowns. Im not doing well academically, im used to As and Bs but im not getting that here.
Anyone been in a similar situation?
Hello. Sorry to hear it feels like a nightmare. I remember uni accommodation and noise very well - and the pressure of fitting in and making sense of it all. I've also worked as a lecturer for a long time - and I'm hopeful that there are staff that will really care about your well-being right now and be able to offer support or strategies going forward or make allowances for you in the meantime. I'm very sure they will not want to lose you as a student especially with such potential. This time of year is challenging already for many so they will be very familiar with issues like this at exam time (and especially since covid). A personal tutor or campus well-being service might be the starting point. Whether they know of your diagnosis or not there should be staff you can reach out to who will know how to offer practical support and with some degree of confidentiality liaise with your academic staff if needed (and maybe help find you a quieter location, have extra time or study or emotional support right now, or have priority access to quiet spaces on campus/in libraries for example.)....If you have a diagnosis this may well be the basis of a formal support plan going forward.