A Neurodiverse Freshers’ Week

Freshers is an exciting world. Starting a new academic journey and the first stages of life as an adult. It can also be stressful, scary and challenging. Navigating change and unfamiliar situations, especially with neurodiversity can seem overwhelming and unmanageable. But, neurodiversity shouldn’t make it any less fun. So, here is your guide to a neurodiverse Freshers’ Week (aka Welcome Week at York). 

The Admin Stuff

Before even getting to university, take a moment to check what things you are eligible for and apply to them. Firstly, apply for the Disabled Student’s Allowance (or DSA) 

You will need some essential personal information and then some type of proof of disability (often the official diagnosis). After applying, you will have an informal meeting where you can discuss with someone the support that you will need. I found it helpful to come to that meeting with a list of a few things I knew I would struggle with (such as organisation, or multi-tasking). Then, DSA will provide you with what you need (and any necessary training) and you’re set! 

Also take the time to contact someone at York’s Disability Team. Students with neurodiversity are eligible for a Student Support Plan (or SSP). They will need the same information you would have given for DSA, as well as you letting them know where you need support. You will then work together with someone to craft a support plan for your time at university. Do not be afraid to ask for what you need, or to ask for changes to your plan. University is for you, so take advantage of all the support available. 

Once all the boring admin is out of the way, you can start having fun! 

Socialising

When you first get to York, you will get put into a college. Every college has its own schedule of things that they’ve organised which can range from relaxed coffee afternoons to club nights. Remember, these events are not requirements, but suggestions. There is no pressure to attend every event or to stay the whole time. Choose the events which genuinely interest you, and remember that you can leave at any time (there is absolutely no shame in it). Take part in the things you find fun and interesting because that’s where you’ll find the people you’re most likely to connect with. 

Freshers’ week is a time where you’re going to meet loads of new people. This can be both a lot of fun and very draining. Remember that you have your own room that you can go to and recharge in and don’t forget to make it feel like yours, bring the stuffed animals and the decorations! Your kitchen is most likely where you’ll first meet your flatmates and where you’ll spend the most time with them. It’s a space you can access and leave whenever you want and it’s also a space where you can cook or clean while talking to people, giving you something to do or focus on. 

Top Tip – bring a card game, or a board game, or even a speaker. It means that you can be the person with that really fun game or access to the music – it gives you a role to have and something to focus on which can make socialising much easier. 

General Stuff

During the week, you will probably speak to more people than you can count. So, it’s a good idea to have a template for social interactions. The tried and tested introduction questions are your usual ‘what are you studying?’ or ‘where are you from?’. However, it’s nice to spice it up a bit. Questions like ‘what did you do over the summer?’ are open ended, start a conversation, and can be used for new people every single time without you getting bored. 

Also, use Freshers’ Week as a time to get acquainted with the campus and the city as you’ll have no lectures or readings to do just yet. Take the time to go on nice walks, figure out where your lectures will be, figure out whether you prefer Lidl or Aldi, and also what sort of things you like to eat. 

Freshers can feel fun, intense, and exciting. Often, you can forget the big changes that have happened through getting caught up in everything. All of a sudden, there’s washing and cooking to do, and organised events you don’t want to be late for. So, the realisation and crash of the stress and change can happen later in the semester which can feel really disorienting. Make sure to recharge however you need to, use stress-coping techniques that work for you, and access support where and how you need it. 

Freshers is fun, but it is also challenging. Adapt it how you need to, access support where you need it, and make sure to have fun. Enjoy the chaos, you have so much to look forward to!