Transitioning from high school to university marks the first step towards independence; meeting new people who could potentially become lifelong friends, engaging in a variety of experiences, cultures, and values, and finally getting the hang of cooking without burning everything (trust me … we’ve all been there).

But what if you have a medical condition? How can you ensure you have the best possible experience attending university with a medical condition?

Juggling your academic studies, social engagements, and medical needs may seem challenging, but don’t worry … we’ve got your back. In this blog, we will share tips on how you can understand your condition better, how to build a strong support network, how a routine can keep you on track, and how to keep your emergency contacts close so you can get the best uni experience as possible.

Understanding your medical condition

To get the best uni experience, you need to prioritise your health first; whether it be taking your prescribed medications or staying on top of your doctor’s appointments. Consistency and compliance are key when managing your health and addressing medical concerns.

Once you’ve had a thorough understanding of what your medical condition requires, you could then inform your friends and professors so they can help you succeed during your academic year. Consider what issues might come up – either during lectures or labs, or on a night out with friends – and let them know what could happen so they are poised to help if needed.

Most universities have departments that specialise in disabilities and medical conditions, and can offer a variety of invaluable support services, such as granting you access to extended deadlines, flexible class schedules, and additional time during exams.

The University of Warwick and the University of Essex both have policies that ensure students with a medical condition get the same access to programs and events as everyone else. There are specific examples on accommodations for Asthma, Crohn's Disease, Type 1 Diabetes, Epilepsy & ME. So, don’t hesitate to reach out and let your university know what you need – they’re here to help!

Building a reliable support network

While at university, it’s important you don’t spend your time isolated from your peers. Join a support group, or bond with others who share similar experiences as you. A strong support network can help your personal growth as well as helping you achieve your goals.

Keep those lines of communication open with your friends, roommates, and teachers. Be honest about your health as it’s important to let them know what exactly is going on so they can find ways to help you. By talking about it, you can create a supportive environment that promotes empathy and understanding, which in turn can make you feel more relaxed about your condition. Remember, you are not alone!

Developing a strong routine

Maintaining a well-structured routine is essential when creating consistency, especially when it comes to managing the demands of academics alongside a medical condition. Today, there are a variety of apps you could use to stay on top of your medical needs, such as the calendar tool, which is standard amongst most phones. This can help remind you of appointments, or when to take your medication. Furthermore, there are health-tracking apps that can help you monitor various aspects of your health, including your heart rate, sleep patterns, and exercise routines.

By incorporating these strategies into your daily routine, you’ll find yourself better equipped at managing your tasks and responsibilities. You may even notice a positive impact to your overall health and wellbeing.

Providing emergency contacts

As parents, our top priority is our kid’s wellbeing, especially when they’re off to uni. We can’t help but fret about their health and what might happen during a medical emergency.

That’s why we’re all about practical solutions. By engraving your child’s medical details onto a medical bracelet, they will be provided with all the essential information needed if they ever find themselves in a medical emergency. The medical bracelet (or medical necklace) will be placed near their pulse points at their wrists or neck, which are the first places checked by medical staff. And the custom engraving option will allow you to add your phone number, to make sure you are called in an emergency.

Privacy is always a concern for young people, so a medical alert bracelet that keeps their details discrete and hidden could work well. Why not try our Confidential Medical Wristband or a casual Soul Medical Bracelet?

So, let’s keep out minds at ease by making sure our kids wear a medical bracelet if anything should happen. Safety first, right?

Conclusion

Overall, embarking on the path to higher education while living with a medical condition can be challenging, but it could be an opportunity for potential growth, development, and independence. To make the most of your life at university, you must stay on top of things – know your condition inside out, let key people know details about your condition ahead of time, build a support network, and make sure you’ve got emergency contacts on your pulse point.

Together, we’ll make sure you’ll have the best time at uni and make memories that’ll last a lifetime.

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