How has Autism affected you through your education?

I was diagnosed at the start of secondary school with Asperger’s syndrome, throughout school and my early education I felt alienated and had no idea what I would do next. 

Throughout college, I was supported and University is completely different (in a good way). It started when I went to a specific open day for people with disabilities at Brunel to find out how supportive the University could be, I made the right decision and had a student support profile set up before lectures started.

Deciding that university was an option for me

I originally never thought that I could go to University, I felt that I was behind everyone else and had below-average grades at school. I started studying a BTEC in Applied Science at college and realised what actually mattered was the topic and environment that I was in. The learning environment is a major key, if you have people who genuinely care about the subject and your progress, the difference is night and day. I realised that I could apply to university to study a scientific subject and I ended up at my first choice Brunel.

Challenges I have encountered

The biggest challenge was originally moving and adapting to University. It can be overstimulating moving out and living by yourself, trying to figure out the basics such as food shopping etc. Making new friends including flatmates and other people is difficult at first, however, I still talk to several people from my original flat as they’re some of the closest people in my life. One last thing is keeping organised, making sure you attend everything and make time to look after yourself. It’s all stuff that practice can make perfect, the best way to learn how to live on your own is to do so and University is the best place for that.

My achievements that I’m proud of

Overall, I am proud of how much I have progressed and grown as a person over the last few years. I got my first job at Brunel as a Widening Access ambassador to help encourage other people from disadvantaged backgrounds into University. I have also interned at UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health and worked at the University of Cambridge, Department of Medicine as a Visiting Scholar.

How Brunel University London has supported me

I have been supported by the Disability and Dyslexia Support Team with a student support profile and meetings with my disability advisor to discuss any issues that had arisen during my time at Brunel. My lecture slides and recordings are all online and I have access to the lecture slides before the lecture to allow me to understand the topic before attending the lectures.

Billy’s Tips

Make a list of items that you need in your flat, including basics such as toilet rolls, etc before moving to University. Plan your day out in the morning and set a list of goals for that day to be productive and attend a few societies or events to get out there and meet new people.