Dyslexia is a specific learning difficulty that causes
problems with particular abilities used for learning such as reading or
writing. It is estimated 1 in every 10 people in the UK have some form of
dyslexia, including me. So, I thought I would share with you my story and maybe
help some of you who may also suffer with it.
When I moved into senior school and began doing summer exams
I was aware that my memory wasn’t the best and so would always have to go over
and over and over things before they stuck in my head. I found I would have to
start revising way before all my friends but I just thought that was how my
brain worked. I don’t want to toot my own horn or anything but I always did
fairly well in any tests and exams and my reports were always good. I was a
hard worker who was always well organised with my only major academic flaw
being that I tended to use small words as I struggled to spell more academic
words.
Before we started our GCSE’s the whole year took an online
test to check for dyslexia. A few girls were selected but I wasn’t, so carried
on my study as usual. Although I felt I could have used the extra time as I was
often left rushing to finish the last few questions, I was very happy with my
GCSE results coming out with 2 A’s and 7 B’s and getting into my first choice
college.
At college, I took on 3 very heavy writing subjects of
English Lang/Lit, Business Studies and History and found that I was a lot
slower when taking notes or writing during times tests than my friends. My
history teacher picked this up and recommended I go to the learning support
team to be tested, so I did. It is here where I was told I had a type of dyslexia
where my memory, my ability to process information and my writing speed are
affected. They explained to me how I and would need to use a laptop, have extra
time during exams and attend weekly learning support sessions.
If I’m being completely honest, I didn’t fully understand
what dyslexia was and I did feel as though I was stupid. However, it did make
the way I work make sense. I always tell people I have a memory like a fish and
now I know why.... I always had to study twice as hard as everyone else and now
I know it’s because I take longer to process the information I am learning/
reading and I now know why I stick to basic language within my work.
After finishing college and getting into my first choice
uni, I was a little worried about how this may affect me, as I know the level
of work expected was to rise. But in week 2/3 one of the ladies from the
Academic Resource Centre came to talk to use in graduate success and I knew
where I could go for help. I made an appointment, explained my situation and
she instantly understood me and how I work. Since then, I have seen her weekly
for the past 3 years for help on understanding my assignment briefs and proof
reading my work whilst helping to expand my vocabulary.
Last summer I took another dyslexia test in a bit more
detail to help out one of the team with her training and was able to use the
results to get further help from the government. I was able to get some amazing
programs on my laptop that help me take notes in lectures, record my lectures
and have the ability to highlight and save key parts. I was also given a
reading ruler for both on screen and off which has helped massively with my
reading! A system to help me research online was also provided along with a
system that helps with reviewing my work checking spelling, punctuation and
grammar and allows me to listen to my work aloud. I am so grateful for these
tools and can’t believe the difference they have made to my studies!
Since being diagnosed in 2015 I have learnt that just
because you have a form of dyslexia doesn’t mean you are stupid. It doesn’t
mean you can’t get high grades and it doesn’t mean you can’t do anything you
want to do. It simply means you need to work a little harder and get a little
help. It can be a little frustrating when some people do it the night before
and get similar results, but unfortunately that is how things work.
I am also more aware of how common it is and am no longer
embarrassed about talking about it. So, for those of you who are struggling
with dyslexia whilst at university, I would defiantly recommend going to
Academic Skills Centre as they can help you out with you work and give you tips
and tricks on revision and writing techniques. Don’t be afraid to talk about it
and don’t be nervous to ask for help.
If you do want to find out more about dyslexia you can have
a look on the NHS website or you are more than welcome to leave a comment and I
can help as best I can!
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