Hello greetings my name is Martha.
I'm Rachael and we're here
to give a little insight into
hidden disabilities or long-term health
conditions and how you could be
supported at University of Nottingham.
So there's a scheme in
the university that we introduced
called the Sunflower Lanyard scheme it's
a thing throughout the UK.
So it signifies that you have
a hidden disability and
you may need extra help.
I'm a third-year physiotherapy student
and I have an autoimmune disorder.
I am a second year zoology student and I have
a different
autoimmune disorder amongst other
things mainly relating to
digestive issues. Whoo yeah.
So when I applied to
do physio at Uni of Notts I was told I
needed to have an occupational health review
before I would be allowed on the course
which was actually terrifying
at the time and ended up being
probably one of the best things
that the course has
given me and the uni has given me
because through
the occupational health review
they allowed me onto the course and
basically gave the University a list of
provisions that I needed to go forward.
So I was given a laptop
>> Erm, I was given
a printer so that I wouldn't have to be
going to the library to
be printing uni work.
I was given a load of
really cool resources
Yeah and training on how
to use these different gadgets.
So that was really really good
and taxi fare for the university so that I
could get from home to placements to
uni without it breaking the bank
which was really really useful.
So I now have a support plan in place.
So I mentioned to
my tutor the problems I was having and he
said go get a support plan.
So I talked to the disability liaisons at
Cherry Tree Lodge. I now
it's like an extenuating circumstances
form that's in place all the time
so the university knows
the problems I have and what they may face.
And so if I miss like
a lab I don't
have to jump through all the EC
hoops, I can then just be like
Sorry, but you already know.
So it's a really good way
of the University supporting
you in just giving you
the assurance that it's
not the end of the world.
I think I think something
that's important to say though
is the university is fantastic in giving you support
but you have to be
your own advocate to go and get it.
Absolutely And so if I hadn't been upfront
about having an autoimmune disorder
before I went to university
obviously they wouldn't know
so I wouldn't have been given
all of these wonderful things
that they've given me.
And and if you hadn't have
thought I need to speak to someone about this they wouldn't have
put this plan in place.
It's really important to
advocate for yourself and then other people
from the university then become
your advocates.
So about alternative exam arrangements.
So again there's nothing too big
that they can accommodate.
There's so many different things in exams.
I use a computer because of
joint problems. And I have
15 minute rest breaks every hour.
Yeah so anytime I can just
say can I have little step outside
a little breather. Oh yeah
On my course where you're doing more
sort of like practical, practical based exams,
I'm allowed, I get given
extra time which I don't always use
Because I'm ready to get out as soon as it's starts
But it's at my freedom
So if I need it, it's there. I guess we both
have very different exams on our courses.
So for mine I have a lot of
placements and, you know, being on
a work placement when
you have a health condition
is really really scary
and as I've gone through university
now I'm in my third year I kind of
worked out the best way that I find
doing that and that's just being open
and upfront about my health from
the start because if you don't
ask you won't get and that's what I found
And people are more than
ready to help and support you.
That's what I've learned is
that if you just ask you'll be
given a list of numbers and
things you can call and just reach out to people.
I would say be selfish.
And if you need something ask for it.
If you need to go to bed early and
your housemates, erm, don't feel
don't feel guilty that you're leaving
your housemates downstairs because
like you need to, you need to
go to bed or don't don't feel
bad because you need
your extra term in your exams
like, be selfish with what
you need.
You have it because you need it.
Yeah And also just taking care of yourself
and relaxing doesn't necessarily
have to be isolating yourself.
Yes. So obviously talk to your housemates
If you're in Hall and you
maybe don't know anyone in your Hall,
there are so many societies and they're not all
active or require
anything specialist. There's erm
There's the tea one where they go and do like
tea stops where you can go and drink tea
I know there's, um,
just because I've been thinking about knitting,
knitting society I think, there's
a cake society so they go and eat cake.
So I suppose a message we
really want to get out there is to not be
be afraid or worried about
taking time out to self care, erm, just
to relax because there
is a tendency was so much going on at
university to put yourself
at a very high standard and to keep doing
things even when it may be at
a detriment to your health whether it be
physical or mental. Just say no just say no
If you don't want to go on that night out
just say no, if you know, you
are really really struggling
with the assignment that you've been
given go in and say, don't say no, but
Just say no to education! (they laugh)
University can be
a wonderful wonderful experience
but it's tiring and it's hard
and when you've got
other things coming at you from
every angle just give yourself that time out,
give yourself that break.
If you need to have a day to just
lie in bed and gather your
thoughts,
the university is not going to judge you.
You don't have to be doing what
everyone else is doing.
Comparison is the thief of joy.
And if you do have any sort of
health condition or any condition that
kinda makes life a little bit
harder then don't be
comparing yourself to the people
who don't, who don't
have these problems. I know everyone's
going through stuff,
but it's important not to
put yourself at that standard.
Yeah. Because sometimes you
can't reach that. And that's okay.
If it does get to a point when
you are at university
where actually your health is taking over,
you feel like you can't you're struggling
in your modules you're struggling with examines
everything just feels a little bit too hard.
You can take time
out and the university are really really good.
So if you need to take a term out
Or say you need to put the year
on hold, they can do that.
Or say if you need to go home
for a little while I know that you can
you can, to an extent, work remotely.
They've got a lot of resources online.
That you can you can
access so you don't have to feel
guilty about the days that you miss
if you do need to miss days.
Or if it just feels too much
and you need to stay in bed. it's important to
remember that not everyone's
university experience is the same.
Yeah So I have a friend who's done
a three year degree in
five, cuz that's what was right for her. Yeah.
You don't have to feel pressured to
do the the normal path.
No You've just got to saunter along and do your own thing.
And that's the thing, is
some people do saunter and
some people meander, some people run
like it really doesn't, you just can't compare.
Yeah So that's it from us.
I hope that you find
all the resources you need in the description.
And I hope that you
enjoyed this video and found it
a little bit useful. It's been a pleasure! Bye!