Once upon a time, it was my last year in secondary school, and I knew the next step I wanted to take was university little did I know the rollercoaster of a journey I was about to go on!
I originally applied to study paediatric nursing through UCAS, but I was rejected by most of the universities I applied to without explanation. However, the nursing department at London South Bank University (LSBU) sat down with us and explained why I couldn’t pursue this course for my studies. Although I was devastated that day, I didn’t leave empty-handed. The staff at LSBU took the time to go through my options, and I chose to study Human Nutrition. Since I didn’t have the required subjects, I decided to do a foundation year.
I remember that spring before starting university, I had a meeting with the Disability & Dyslexia Support (DDS) team at LSBU to discuss support options and applying for Disability Student Allowance (DSA). I also wanted to move out and live in halls, which meant arranging for a carer to support and help me.
When I started university, everyone said I would have the time of my life. All I could think about, though, was the process it took to get to this point. I also had so many questions and worries: How would I manage without seeing my parents and little brother often? My university was only about an hour away, but still, how would I cope? Would my carer be nice? I had so many questions.
Once I got settled, I remember taking a test at university. At the time, I wasn’t sure what it was for, but it turned out to be a dyslexia screening test. While the test wasn’t graded, I was advised to speak with a DDS advisor. The advisor booked me for an assessment, which revealed that I have dyspraxia and dyslexia.
Even with these twists and turns, I did well in the foundation year. It turned out much of the course material overlapped with the subjects I studied in secondary school, so I even explored switching to the Human Nutrition. However, the course leader was unsure about how support could be provided for lab work. Because of this I decided to stay on the foundation year to prove to the course leader I was able to and found alternatives to complete my lab tasks, sometimes requiring an extra pair of hands.
Throughout my foundation year and beyond, I never took “no” for an answer and always found creative solutions to complete my tasks. I was even asked to represent LSBU, giving presentations for an organization called Aim Higher at Kingston University and Metropolitan University. These presentations were aimed at sixth-form students, and doing them felt like a full-circle moment for me, as I remembered attending similar events myself.
During my time at university, I lived in student accommodation and had an amazing carer. She was kind, caring, and showed me how to unwind after lectures. We watched movies, explored the city, and baked together. I also loved watching The Great British Bake Off. My carer primarily helped in the mornings and evenings.
Just when I thought things were going well, halfway through my second year, the pandemic happened. My parents brought me back home just before the lockdown began, and all my studies shifted online. It was strange seeing friends in person one week and only through a screen the next. Isolation was tough—really tough. The uncertainty about what would happen next was overwhelming.
By September 2020, we started hybrid learning. I moved back to student accommodation and adjusted to life with a new carer. While some of my modules were in-person, most were still online, and I struggled to stay focused during these virtual sessions.
In March 2021, I fractured my calcaneus (heel bone) on the day I was heading home for Easter break. I didn’t realize it was a fracture at first, assuming I had just badly sprained my foot. The next morning, my dad took me to A&E, where I learned the truth. Fortunately, with exams still being online, I managed to pass and advance to my final year.
As my final year began, I thought no more curveballs could come my way. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, I had to find a new care agency, which meant yet another routine adjustment. This only lasted until Christmas, as the agency dropped me, and I had to find another one. The combined stress of these challenges and the pandemic led me to seek support from the wellbeing services at my university halls.
Despite these difficulties, I worked on my dissertation, focusing on OI (osteogenesis imperfecta), osteoporosis, and nutrition. My supervisor warned me it would be challenging due to the lack of studies on the topic, but that only fuelled my curiosity. I spent countless hours researching and writing.
In the midst of all this, I participated in university cooking shows, demonstrating how to make a vegan chocolate cake and a curry. These videos aimed to give students quick, easy, and delicious meal ideas. Filming these segments became a fun and stress-free hobby that allowed me to take a break from my dissertation.
As Easter approached, I realized Wishbone Day was coming up. Determined to celebrate, I collaborated with hall ambassadors and managers to organize a special event. I even reached out to the Brittle Bone Society, who provided materials for the celebration. The day included Instagram quizzes and beautifully decorated spaces.
After that incredible day, reality set in as my final exams and dissertation submission loomed. Completing and submitting my dissertation, titled “The Effect of Diet and Nutrition on Disease: Osteoporosis and Osteogenesis Imperfecta”, felt like a huge weight off my shoulders.
Sadly, my time at LSBU was coming to an end, but I didn’t want to lose the connections I made, particularly with the Brittle Bone Society. I attended their London Mini Conference, which turned out to be the start of an exciting journey with them.
Looking back now, my university experience was a rollercoaster, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. Every challenge taught me something new about myself, and for that, I am grateful.
