Starting university is a nerve-racking experience for everybody, but being neurodivergent brings a whole new set of challenges. Thankfully, support systems are in place to help you during your time here!
I am an autistic second-year student here at Newcastle and I’m here to share some advice on making your university experience an enjoyable one.
1. Bring everything you might need along with you
Having your bag packed ahead of time with everything you need is a must! What items do you find helpful day to day? For me, I never leave the house without my noise cancelling headphones. Plus, my Loop earplugs and fidget toys are lifesavers for sensory regulation during lectures!
See my video here for everything I bring to uni:
2. University Transition event
If you are an incoming student with autism, you are welcome to attend the University’s Transition Event! Here, you will get the chance to meet other students with autism (and/or mental health conditions), attend information sessions and generally settle in during a quieter time before the start of term.
3. Autism social group
I will let the group’s description speak for itself here!
“The Autism Support Network (ASN) meets fortnightly during term time on a Wednesday afternoon (3pm-5pm) to take part in activities and socialise. Activities can range from playing board games with pizza to learning how make various crafts, or even going on trips to different places in the region. The ASN is open to anyone who identifies with or has a diagnosis of an autism spectrum condition. You can opt in for more information and updates by emailing ASN@newcastle.ac.uk and asking to be added to their mailing list.”
4. Support available via the University during your studies
The University has various systems to support autistic students during their studies! I’ll give an overview here:
Any student with a disability (or is exploring a diagnosis) will be provided with a Disability Practitioner to assist you throughout your studies. Working with your Practitioner, you can set up a Student Support Plan, which outlines accommodations you might need to support your studies.
Your SSP will be made available to your lecturers and could include things like:
- Alternative exam arrangements or environments
- Additional library resources access (such as accessible study rooms and extended loans)
- Support with accessing external support such as Disabled Students’ Allowance
- Reasonable extensions to deadlines
- A request for lecturers to make lecture materials available in advance
- Explanations of your preferred methods of formatting, requirements for working in a group, access needs for any university sessions
- Anything else which will make your university experience more comfortable and accessible!
5. Look into all support available - external and internal!
If you are autistic (or otherwise neurodivergent or living with a mental health problem), you will qualify for Disabled Students Allowance through Student Finance! Speaking from personal experience, accessing DSA at the beginning of this academic year has opened up support for me that I wasn’t even aware existed during my first year. I now have support from my friendly and helpful disability practitioner, plus my student support plan has been a useful tool when I need to ask for help or make my lecturers aware of my disability.
On top of this, DSA has provided me with physical equipment like a printer/scanner and software to help me with academic work and managing my day to day life.
It is entirely up to you whether you want to use these resources. Consider what could be helpful to you, and remember that these systems are in place to help you! I encourage any student with a disability to reach out for help and take advantage of the support available here.
See more information about Disability Support at Newcastle University.
By Ollie, second-year Music student and Student Content Creator