I'’ve been volunteering in the ME North East office during my last year at uni. I’ve been studying geography at University of Durham for 4 years and it has been a fabulous experience. I’ve had ME since I was 11 and I haven’t let it stop my academic ambitions, although I haven’t always followed the normal course. I took an extra year to do my A-Levels so that I could spread out the intensity of the work; similarly I have done my some of my degree part time after I had a serious relapse at the beginning of my third year.
I adore my degree, geography has always been my passion and I’ve spent the last 4 years learning some really interesting stuff, but more importantly I’ve also had a good social life.

I lived in a university college (like halls of residence) for 3 out of 4 years which makes life easier as my meals are cooked for me and my cleaning is done! I’ve been able to use my car around the city and have received funding for public transport costs from my Local Education Authority. ME needn’t stop you going to university but you might like to consider a few things first:

How far do you want to be from home? I was 300 miles and it really wasn’t a very good idea! Sometimes you might need to pop home for some rest and relaxation and believe me a 5 hour train journey is neither restful nor relaxing!

What facilities does the uni have to help people with disabilities? Find out whether buildings are accessible and whether places have lifts etc. Older uni’s like Durham, Oxbridge and the like often use old and very beautiful buildings which are totally unsuitable for people with mobility problems.

Ring the Student With Disabilities support group – check the website for the Student Union and the central University website. Don’t be afraid to ask them lots of questions– they’ll be able to tell you whether the university will be able to accommodate you. (Most are very helpful but it’s always worth checking).

Is your course mostly taught or research based? Some courses will require compulsory attendance to all lectures, even the ones at 9am- this simply isn’t feasible for people with ME so get in touch and find out how many hours a week you will be required to attend lectures and what allowances they can make if you can’t make them. You might be able to get lecture notes from the lecturers or have them taped for you to save you having to write everything down.

Where are the halls of residence in relation to your lectures? And where do most students live if they don’t live in halls? It can be a surprisingly long walk, or bus ride between halls and lectures theatres so check out how far away you might be. This is where Campus unis have the advantage over city unis because they tend to be more contained.

Why are you doing your degree? This is something everyone should consider, with ME or not. Is your degree to help you get a job, because you love your subject or just because you feel you ought to get one? Be sensible, and ask yourself whether a degree is the most appropriate qualification for you at this stage. University is heaps of fun but you could always take a few years out and focus on yourself. There’s no rule that says you have to go to uni when you are 18. Talk things over with your Careers Advisor and consider
Other types of learning programmes too.

If you have any questions at all about going to uni feel free to get in touch with me or the office. Don’t be afraid to get in touch with uni's too and ask them questions – either by email or ring them up. Often student groups are very helpful if you find the central administration a bit intimidating.

Best of luck whatever you decide to do.