As I am just about to be starting my Second year at the University Northampton, I thought I would share with you a little bit on what it was like for me, moving away from home for the first time, meeting lots of new people and getting to grips with studying a new subject, all at the same time.
Fast forward to the summer before starting Uni.
Between April and September 2021, I was recovering from my major jaw operation. During that time, I was having to go through rehabilitation, to regain facial movement, after experiencing facial paralysis to my right side, as a result of trauma to my facial nerve.
It was a big concern for me that my face wouldn’t recover in time for starting Uni, however thankfully, through patience, I did manage to regain most of what I did lose in time for the start of term.
By early September, my jaw was pretty much healed and I finally got my braces off of my teeth after five years of having them. After what felt like a long, emotionally challenging recovery, I felt that I was onto a fresh start. I was ready to start my University journey.
University life does not need to be amazing right from the get-go.
Everyone going off to University hears at least a handful of times “University is the best time of your life, you’re going to love it.”
While yes, University can be an amazing experience, it is not without its challenges too, especially in the initial few months when you are getting to grips with everything.
I found myself putting a lot of pressure on myself during the early months, feeling like I was “failing at Uni life”. I felt that everyone around me was settling in so much more effortlessly than I was. While other students were going on nights out with new friends, I was just trying my best to get by each day as it came.
The turning point for me.
Something that did help me make some friends was joining the University’s Equestrian Club. Horse riding has been a big part of my life ever since I started having lessons at age 10. However, my local riding school closed during the Pandemic and once it re-opened, I was just about to be going for my jaw surgery. This meant that prior to the Equestrian club, it had been almost 2 years since I had last been riding. The club meant that I got to meet some like-minded students, who I went on riding lessons with every Wednesday. The club also put on social events on the occasional Wednesday evening.
As someone who doesn’t really enjoy going out to clubs due to having a vision and hearing impairment, meeting people through a mutually enjoyed sport was really beneficial to me.
Outside of the Equestrian club, I also became friends with a girl on a different course to me, who I began chatting to prior to starting at the University. Coincidentally, our accommodation blocks were right next to each other, so we were able to meet up regularly for catch ups. Naturally, my social circle began to open up a little more through meeting my friends’ flatmates, who were equally as friendly. I didn’t really click with any of my flatmates, so I was grateful whenever I was invited over to their flat for a game’s night or drinks.
Being open about my conditions.
Back when I was in school, I was very reserved and found it hard to be the first one to initiate conversation with peers outside my friendship group. The thought of explaining my vision impairment to other students, or even more for me, speaking about my facial difference, was a prospect which filled me with anxiety and awkwardness. I felt that throughout secondary school, my medical conditions were a constant “elephant in the room”, keeping me from being able to feel comfortable in the school environment.
In order for me to relax and enjoy University, I knew this was something I would need to work on.
I appreciate that this blog post is getting long and a little off topic, so I will come back to you with a separate post on how I have been becoming more comfortable in embracing my differences.
Coming back to my reflection of the first year, while I had a little bit of a rocky start with making connections and getting over the typical anxieties of being away from home for extended amounts of time for the first time, I can now look back and honestly say that those 8 months had a positive impact of improving my independence and self awareness.
I had to learn to speak up for myself and take responsibility in letting my lecturers know about adjustments I required in classes as a result of my vision impairment. As well as becoming confident with taking public transport, which is something else which caused me added anxiety due to my vision.
Seeing the progress I have made this year, I am excited to see what the next academic year brings. I hope to continue to find confidence within myself and have new experiences which I will be able to share with you.
It is really good to be able to remind ourselves and reflect on what we have achieved. Accomplishments don’t need to be huge to be worth acknowledging. If you have challenged yourself at doing anything recently, then that is amazing and worth being proud of yourself for. This is also a little reminder that everyone is on their own journey, so you should not compare your progress to anyone else’s.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this post.
Becky. X
Such a beautifully written post with lovely details and perspective. I really enjoyed reading it.
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