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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Am i being unreasonable to want to go to uni

29 replies

purple15 · 10/08/2013 19:14

I have been very ill in the past and am just at home at the moment recovering.

I have for along time wanted to become a Social worker. I had the interview at uni and was successful and have gained a place starting September 2013.

All my friends and family think I am being very silly contemplating this, with what health issues I have had to deal with.

I thought, okay maybe I can defer the start date, and maybe start September 2014. But I would really like to give it a go This September. What should I do ?

OP posts:
LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 10/08/2013 19:18

Are you likely to need a lot of time off during your first year if you were to start this year? If so I would defer.
I think it would be reasonable to defer for a year to give you time to recover properly.

EllaFitzgerald · 10/08/2013 19:20

Well done Flowers

When is the latest you could defer? Maybe wait until then and see how you feel?

RhondaJean · 10/08/2013 19:34

Is it a illness which you are recovering from or something which might be ongoing or flare up again?

Original poster
purple15 · 10/08/2013 19:44

The illness was initially a brain tumour ( that was removed and wont come back, fingers crossed ) then I suffered a stroke, then I had lots of complications, where do I start :

co-ordination problems, full facial paralysis, with eye problems because my eye will not shut or blink, I was type 1 insulin diabetic, this is now type 2, and at the moment I am not injecting.

All this has cause fatigue and headaches.

In my head I can manage the studying and I am very driven to do it, but in reality my physical problems are too much.

OP posts:
complexnumber · 10/08/2013 20:01

Social workers seem to be the punch bags of the media.

I think (i.e. I am not a social worker myself these days) you need to be very content with yourself and able to cope with criticism from a variety of sources.

I would have thought it is not a career direction you should choose if you have health issues. It wouldn't be fair for you or your clients.

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 10/08/2013 20:14

purple I think you need to defer, given the extent of your health problems. The course will be intensive and stressful, and so soon after all of that it may prove too much.
Give yourself another year to recover, and hopefully your fatigue will ease. Good Luck x

RhondaJean · 10/08/2013 20:22

Massive hugs to you.

You do know the answer yourself for now. The good thing is, firstly you can defer and you can get on the course, and secondly you have the common sense to know when something is too much to handle. That is a great thing for a social worker.

Original poster
purple15 · 10/08/2013 20:25

Ah thankyou for some good advice.

OP posts:
RhondaJean · 10/08/2013 20:29

I should say too, I'm not a social worker but I work closely ŵith them and I see no reason why a disability would mean you shouldn't be one.

In fact, it's not all child protection work, many social worker work supporting people who are ill and being in the situation you are in could be a positive in terms of understanding.

pumpingprincess · 10/08/2013 20:34

Why not give the University a call and ask for a meeting with student services or the head of your department? They will be able to discuss with you what additional needs you may need and if they can help you. I promise they will be honest and accommodating with you. If they think you should defer, they will advise you of this.

Congratulations on getting on the course, SW courses are very competitive! Good luck and you can do this! Flowers

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 10/08/2013 20:45

purple I think you need to defer, given the extent of your health problems. The course will be intensive and stressful, and so soon after all of that it may prove too much.
Give yourself another year to recover, and hopefully your fatigue will ease. Good Luck x

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 10/08/2013 20:47

Sorry for the double post

scarlettsmummy2 · 10/08/2013 20:57

Could you do the course part time? And also, are you on placement in the first year?

BrianTheMole · 10/08/2013 21:06

Why dont you talk to the uni and see what they can do to help?

Original poster
purple15 · 10/08/2013 21:12

The course is full time.
Not available part time . Just three days in uni. No placements in first year. In the second year there are placements over five full days.

OP posts:
Beastofburden · 10/08/2013 21:14

Purple, deferring is not the answer. You are not magically going to be perfectly better in 12 months. You neede a deal that works with your health as it actually, honestly is and cuts you some slack.

I used to run the disability service of a Uni. What we would do, is arrange with you a bespoke deal. We might give you more years to finish the course, accommodation near medical services, a mentor, support workers, etc. what we would never do, is say, oh sure, pop off for a year and come back totally cured.

Go to see their disability services and negotiate a package. If they are crap, seriously consider changing Uni. My old Uni doesn't offer social work, but there are unis with good reputations for disability support.

Original poster
purple15 · 10/08/2013 21:23

Beastofburden thanks for your post. I really feel inpired by all the advice.

OP posts:
Beastofburden · 10/08/2013 21:27

Go for it. But get a tailored package, so you are not fighting life as it truly is, but can be ill if that's how it goes and still cope.

I had students with muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosis, cancer, severe epilepsy, you name it. We looked after them and they did just fine. I am proud to say I never once lost a student.

candycoatedwaterdrops · 10/08/2013 21:35

I am a student social worker with a physical disability, just about to enter my third year. It's emotionally and physically challenging but IMO, totally worth it. My health has not been great and I have struggled through it. There have been times I've been so miserable because I've been poorly but dragged myself in when I should have been in bed. Given your health issues, I wonder if you'd enjoy it more if you were physically better.

That said, there is a lot of support out there for disabled university students. Will time be a healing factor for you or is your condition long term?

Original poster
purple15 · 10/08/2013 21:53

Every day i get a bit better . But then do sufer set backs.
My family go.out in the morning and it is a long day.

I feel having another year will heal me more. But reslistacally this is how i am now with these disabilities.

OP posts:
Beastofburden · 10/08/2013 21:59

Well our Uni could for instance give you some pre course work to do as a kind of access year, to get you into it at a gentle pace.

Original poster
purple15 · 11/08/2013 09:14

beastof - thank you for your detailed advice, your post has inspired me.

I wasn't even going to bother going to the disability students association, but now I realise it is a necessary, and I really must attend.

Thank you so much.

OP posts:
Beastofburden · 11/08/2013 10:42

Good luck!

Meerkatwhiskers · 11/08/2013 12:20

I'm a student nurse and i wasn't in the best of health (and actually still not now going into 3rd year) when I started. Don't defer, just go for it. If you have the determination now who's to say it will be there next year?

Uni's have amazing support systems for disabled students so make use of them. Occupational health are there on your side too so make use of them too and ensure everything is in place to support you. You are lucky you have no placements in first year as you have the opportunity to ease yourself into uni life without the placement aspect unlike nursing when we are sent on placement either in the first semester or the second.

Good luck, you have a great attitude despite all you have been through. A lot of people could learn a lot from you xxx

LadyMedea · 11/08/2013 12:22

I second going and talking to disability services. At the start of your course you are likely to have to do a declaration of good health and good character or similar to ensure you are 'fit to practise'. There is no reason why a physical disability means you aren't fit but you may need a range of adjustments to be able to complete the course and placements. Be upfront and brutally honest about your restrictions then support can be put in place.

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