Hey everyone! I’m Imogen, a second year studying sociology and one of the neurodivergent advocates at UWE, as part of the widening participation team.
At the end of my first year I stumbled across the advertisement for the advocacy role in my emails. There were roles for mature student advocates, race equity advocates and neurodiversity advocates. I decided to apply as I knew a lot about neurodiversity. My friends, family and partner (and myself) are neurodivergent. I am passionate about social change, and I am very aware about what support is available. The role is flexible, catering to students at 2-4 hours per week, online or in-person, with 3 to 4 other advocates on each team. I have been working as an advocate for this academic year now, alongside my studies. It is a rewarding role. I have had many opportunities and gained valuable experience. I have particularly enjoyed writing content for newsletters and talking about my experiences at widening access calls to prospective students. I am better at knowing what study methods work for me, and feel much more confident in my abilities as I finish my second year.
With exam and deadline season in full swing, I wanted to share a few study tips that have helped me throughout my time at uni as a neurodivergent student. Whether you’re neurodivergent too or just looking for new ways to stay organised and motivated, I hope you find something useful here!
📋 Make Lists
It might sound simple, but honestly – lists save me. Trying to remember everything in my head never works, so I write a daily ‘to-do’ list with every task I need to get done. And I mean everything. I include achievable things like ‘get out of bed’ or ‘go to my lecture’ because some days, those are big wins too. Ticking them off gives me a little boost and keeps me feeling productive.
📆 Use a Calendar
I live by my calendar. I schedule all my study sessions, but instead of blocking out a vague ‘study time’, I’ll be specific – like ‘check essay conclusion’ or ‘revise topic 3 notes’. It makes my workload feel way more manageable. I personally use Google Calendar because it’s linked to my personal email and lets me combine everything in one place – study sessions, lectures, meetings, and reminders.
🧘 Schedule Breaks
This one’s important: don’t forget to rest. When I get hyper-focused on a task, I can easily forget to eat, stretch, or breathe. Even if you’re someone who thrives on last-minute cramming (no judgement), try to build in small breaks to recharge. Your wellbeing matters just as much as your grades.
🤝 Try Body Doubling
If you haven’t heard of this before, body doubling is a productivity technique where you work in the presence of someone else to help you stay on track. It’s especially popular among people with ADHD, but it works for anyone. I like meeting a friend at the library in the morning – having somewhere to be and someone there makes it easier to get moving. Pro tip: aim for the quiet study areas if you’re easily distracted!
I hope these tips resonate with you, and if you’re finding things tough or need a little extra support, don’t hesitate to reach out to the services available at UWE:
The Student Coaching Service
The range of Library Study Skills Workshops (online or in-person)
The Wellbeing Service
How to join the CHSS Advocate Programme
Interested in being part of this supportive community? Whether you’re looking for peer support, a place to share your experiences, or simply want to connect with others, the CHSS Advocate Programme is here for you.
To join a group or attend one of our meetups, follow the link to our online space and sign up!
For more information, please email the Widening Participation Team: CHSS.WPTeam@uwe.ac.uk
