Neurodiversity Celebration Week | Neurodivergence at uni
We all experience the world in different ways, influenced by things like our upbringing, values and how our brains work. The range of differences in the ways our brains function is known as neurodiversity, and for some of us, these differences can have a real impact on uni life. Off the back of our iQ Feel Good Summit and in honour of Neurodiversity Celebration Week, we’ve dug a little deeper to understand neurodivergence and find great sources of support for those who need them.
What is neurodivergence?
The word neurodivergent describes someone whose brain works in a different way to the neurotypical majority of society. ADHD, autism and dyslexia are just a few examples of conditions that are often classed as neurodivergent. Despite the contrasting terms ‘neurodivergent’ and ‘neurotypical’, neurologists remind us there’s no ‘right’ kind of brain, and the differences in functioning experienced by neurodivergent people are not flaws, only differences.
Being neurodivergent at uni
Roughly 1 in 5 students in purpose-built student accommodation identify as neurodivergent. Izzy Watkins, from our partner Student Minds, says being neurodivergent at uni can have its strengths.
Speaking from her own experience with autism, Izzy says neurodivergent people can have excellent focus, particularly when it comes to things they’re interested in. They often also possess strong resilience, adaptability, empathy and an ability to think outside the box, all of which are useful at uni.
There can be challenges too. Neurodivergent students might struggle with things like self-care, uncertainty and task management at uni. They might also experience perfectionism or masking fatigue - exhaustion felt from acting a certain way to fit in. Neurodivergent students are reported to be more likely than non-neurodivergent students to experience loneliness, mental health issues, flat-mate conflicts and bullying, so it’s useful to know where to get support if it’s needed.
Support
There are lots of resources available that can help neurodivergent (and neurotypical) students navigate life at uni. Our reading room has helpful articles on topics like student finance and wellbeing. Student Minds has a platform called Student Space, which has useful info on making friends at uni, dealing with uncertainty, managing time and much more. The website also shares videos where students discuss their own experiences, such as how they found mental health support or how they adapted to uni being neurodivergent.
For support in person, speak to one of your Feel Good Ambassadors or contact your uni who can usually provide specialised support and info. For support over text, there’s our partner, Shout, who you can contact anytime.
