Students' and Parents' Experiences
Parents' worries
"Considering the fact that I've had two episodes of anorexia in my teens and am still taking medication for depression, it was understandable that my parents wanted me to attend a university close to home, in Northern Ireland.
That way, I would be able to come home every weekend and they could 'keep an eye on me'. I understood their concern, but I was longing to establish a life of my own, away from home. The University of Sheffield appealed to me because it seemed to be a place where anybody could feel at ease.
I was delighted when I received a conditional offer from Sheffield to study Psychology and attended an Open Day with my Dad. He continued to make it his mission to point out how much easier and 'safe' it would be for me to go to a university in Ireland, but I think that by this stage he had realised just how much my heart was set on Sheffield (I think he was quite impressed by the University as well!).
After being accepted in August, I included the details of my past problems on the health form that each new student has to complete. I was embarrassed about disclosing such personal information, but I'm so glad that I did because it meant that during the registration process in Intro Week I had a (discreet) chat with a very down-to-earth nurse from the University Health Service.
Her basic message was: 'We're on your side so if there's anything at all we can do to help, just let us know.' I've only seen her once since then, but it's very reassuring, for both myself and my parents, to know that she is there if I'm ever struggling.
Apart from this, the University and the Union provide numerous other help and support resources, from the University Counselling Service and an Eating Disorders Clinic, to Nightline, a telephone help-line that runs every night and the Student Advice Centre. These are all very accessible and completely confidential.
I think my parents were worried that my life at university would consist of my sitting in my room not talking to anyone. I admit I'm not exactly the life and soul of every party, but I've made several close friends, have a part-time job that I love and I generally feel very settled.
I've found that breaking out of my old surroundings has made me realise that there's a place in this world for everyone, and I am much more comfortable with myself. There's also something very liberating about the fact that I am solely responsible for my physical and mental well-being, and that it's up to me to make the most of my time here.
I recognise that it was quite brave of my parents to let me make the final decision on which university to go to and I am so grateful to them that they did.
No doubt they will blame themselves for not making me stay closer to home if something does go wrong, but I feel that we all made the right choice."
Laura Smith