uni support thoughts

[delb t]

My son asked me yesterday what support there was at uni-as we need to start looking at them in the new year-I hadnt got a clue so I thought i'd ask you clever lot here-
Are there any specific plans in place for diabetic students ? or is it just a case of telling these new people you meet signs and symptoms to look out for- what has been anyones experiences-thanks

 

[Caroline]

no personal knowledge but others who have been to uni have said there is lots of support in the form of mentors and councilors, just ask in the admin offices.

I'm sure someone who is at uni or who has been to uni will be along with more definite advice soon.

 

[trophywench]

I'm led to believe there is a Welfare Officer with reponsibility for such things at each Uni - I would have thought a quick email off to the Bursar/Dean's office or whoever deals with recruitment of students would provide the correct info?

 

[Kwaka1]

All Universities have 'Student Support' departments. Your son will need to advise them of his condition, although it will probably only mean that he's allowed his own mini fridge in his room.
University is unlike school in as much as the numbers are huge in comparison, and also upon leaving school and attending Uni you are classed as an adult, and as such you are expected to be responsible for your own well being.

 

[Twitchy]

Well my experience is now over ten yrs out of date (how depressing lol)...but whilst I don't think I contacted anyone specifically about the diabetes, some things you might need to consider are:

A. Halls - catered or self catering? The first tend to be more sociable as far as I could see, with advantages of safer budgeting (can't blow your food budget on beer in the first fortnight then starve lol), but with self catering you obviously have control of portions, what you're eating etc.
B. check out local diabetic clinics & GPs, & if in doubt consider staying registered at home if you can manage the logistics, although due to prescriptions it might be easier to register at the campus med centre (although mine wasn't brill, so beware!!)
C. Local DUK type groups - are there any? Might be good to get the inside line on relevant services etc.

I suspect if you phone the uni or check out their website they'll be able to give you an idea of who would be worth informing.

Not sure if that's any help, but try not to stress...I'm sure things will go smoothly. 🙂

 

[bev]

Hi delbt,

I know a few young people with diabetes who have gone to Uni and the support varies. Some get funding for things like laptops/fridges and others get halls that are closer to the Uni so that if there are any medical issues the person can return quickly to sort things out - they normally cost more - but you can get funding for that too. Some are given someone who will write up their work if they are off due to diabetes which is clearly helpful. There is a unit at most Uni's to deal with these sorts of things - but not sure what they are called sorry - maybe 'student support' as someone has suggested. Although young people are classed as adults it is widely recognised that students with medical conditions might need extra help and support so dont let that put you off asking.🙂Bev

 

[delb t]

thanks all -it sort of threw me when he asked- my daughter is at Durham uni at the moment so I get the catering /non bit - I suppose we will have to see where he gets to and then research from there- will have to cut those apron strings !!

 

[Persil]

Hi Delb t!

My name's Vicki and I'm currently at university, on my year abroad actually. Support at uni varies a lot. I'm at UEA, Norwich, and I get a lot of support. All of my lecturers are aware that I have type 1 should I go low in class etc, and I do have the option to apply for extra time and things in exams, although this is something I personally have never done.

There's also the option to apply for a Disabled Students Allowance, and I know a number of students with diabetes that have benefited greatly from this, and I think I will apply when I return to UEA after year abroad.

Should your son want some more information, can I point him (and you) to the following Facebook group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/342330325808929/

It's something myself and a friend (Lizabetic on this site) started up some months back as we felt there was a need for it. It's for student diabetics, and there are people on there at various stages in their university life at a variety of different universities. Loads of things are discussed, from managing alcohol and diabetes (something nearly every student diabetic needs to know about!) to exams and support from the uni to just generally moaning after a bad day of it all!

I hope this helps!

If you have any more specific questions, feel free to PM me and I will happily try to find the answers for you from other students!

Vicki 🙂
xxx

 

[katiekin]

omg! i go to UEA and didnt realise there was anything in place! i did search out information but found nothing in particular so i gave up. As it turns out i am fine with no particular help as like you persil, i dont feel i need extra time etc. what other support did you get? xx

 

[rhall92380]

As has been said all universties offer support for students with disabilities - according to their needs - but some students miss out by not declaring their disability. Students are of course entitled to withold such information but the university can not be expected to offer support for conditions it has not been notified of.

I would also recommend registering at a local GP practice This can save time and stress if the student needs to access a GP.

Richard

 

[Persil]

Hi Katekin!

That's so strange that you're at UEA too! I've PM'd you, but basically, like you, I've never applied for extra time etc in exams. In my first year I was allowed to have a mini fridge in my room to store insulin, and that's pretty much it; not because UEA doesn't offer other help, but just because I've never felt the need to seek it. I do think though that when I return for my final year, I will look into DSA and see what I can get.

Vicki 🙂
xxx

 

[delb t]

Thanks for all your help Folks -Persil I will PM you-

 

[DeusXM]

Why would diabetes mean you need extra time exams?

At the risk of sounding really grumpy, diabetes is relatively such minor issue that I can't really see a single reason why anyone with it would need extra 'official' support in a university context. Ok, yes, I can understand the argument for fridge provision but the rest of it seems redundant. A hypo takes all of a minute to treat and in real terms will probably affect exam performance less than having a cold. Universities also treat students like adults so it's not as if there's any advocacy need to allow you to take in a pack of glucose tabs into a lecture or exam.

Are you sure you're allowed some sort of disability allowance? There's no extra cost associated with having diabetes do even in the unlikely event you're entitled to unnecessary financial aid, doesn't that mean there's less in the pot for people with real problems like blindness or needing a wheelchair?

 

[trophywench]

Oh, so Deus, does that mean you don't agree with the European committee's findings that a hypo under 3.3 affects your cognitive powers, which led the DVLA to say we couldn't drive a car again for 45 minutes after treating a hypo and getting our BG back over 4.0?

Surely if your cognitive powers are impaired, that must be a reason?

Or do you expect everyone to instantly recognise a hypo at 3.999r, or what? Am baffled.

Can you always test and treat in an exam situation anyway? I don't know, I never went to Uni.

 

[delb t]

DeusXM-yes that did sound abit grumpy
when my son did his GCSE,s if he had had a hypo -he would have been allowed to treat accordingly the hospital wrote to the school and the letter states
It is well documented that low and high results affect cognitive function and concentration and this may affect performance during the exam.I would be grateful if this could be taken into account if he does experience anything during the exams
I would be grateful if he could be allowed to take supervised breaks as necessary for medical reasons
He will need to keep with him at all times in the exam room -blood machine and hypo treatments

 

[DeusXM]

It is well documented that low and high results affect cognitive function and concentration and this may affect performance during the exam.I would be grateful if this could be taken into account if he does experience anything during the exams

The issue is that any immediate impairment from blood sugar levels is entirely within the control of the individual. It is not a real disability in the way that being blind or deaf or unable to walk is. If you are managing your diabetes correctly, there's no difference between you and any 'normal' person, and I don't understand why there should be some special dispensation - it's the responsibility of the individual to manage their diabetes and if they're not doing it, that's their problem.

If I was taking an exam, I would do exactly what I did when I was doing my degree -test regularly leading up to the exam, spot the trends and plan accordingly to prevent me having an issue in the first place. And then I'd take the relevant insulin, glucose and BG monitor into the exam with me, and use as required in the exam - a blood test takes 10 seconds to do, so I can't see why I'd need to leave the room, and doing a jab or supping some Lucozade takes even less time.

I suppose you could make an argument that this means a student with diabetes has extra pressure and anxiety and potential impairment to deal with. But so does everyone else in the room. Someone's got a stinking hangover. Someone else has a cold. Someone's mum died three months ago and it's still hard for them. Someone else has just broken up with their boyfriend. Someone else has a massive credit card debt that's stressing them. Someone got mugged last night. Someone else has diarrhoea. EVERYONE has issues in an exam but we don't give them extra time. It's called Life. Part of going to university is growing up, being an adult and taking personal responsibility. No-one's going to give special dispensation at work or whatever because you might have a hypo. It shouldn't be any different in exams.

I'm sorry but I don't hold that having diabetes makes us delicate little flowers who need need extra help - in fact, I find the thought of being treated as if I'm unable to be the same as everyone else rather offensive.

 

[Northerner]

Hmm...what is it that is often said about people with diabetes? We're all different, that's it. To apply your own personal situation to every other person with diabetes is somewhat naive in my opinion.

 

[delb t]

DeusXM- if I thought you were grumpy before -what do I think now!- My son was dx 6 months before exams and obviously still in honeymoon - for those that have had diabetes for a long time yes i,m sure you can see patterns leading up to exams and act accordingly- for us we put all we could in place and got the results -thanks to the folks for those helpful responses -I will just PM on the topic cos im hopping mad

 

[DeusXM]

My son was dx 6 months before exams and obviously still in honeymoon

Which is obviously a completely different situation from when he will do his first uni exams a good three years after diagnosis. Given your son has also obviously completed several rounds of exams very successfully while having diabetes, I'd wager that he's probably far more adept than he realises.

yes i,m sure you can see patterns leading up to exams and act accordingly

You don't need to be a long-term diabetic to see that if your BG at 1pm was 6, at 2pm was 4 and you've an exam at 3pm to know that you might need to take some action in advance of your exam.

To apply your own personal situation to every other person with diabetes is somewhat naive in my opinion.

Which was why I made the point that everyone has their own issues to deal with.

Yes, Your Mileage May Vary...but your responsibility doesn't. Having diabetes doesn't in itself make any issues you may face suddenly more noteworthy or problematic or deserving of assistance than someone else's. Particularly when the issues from that condition are largely within your control. That might seem a grumpy and harsh viewpoint. It's also an extremely positive one.

 

[cherrypie]

Wow, DeusXM, you are even deciding that your viewpoint is positive.