Stress
This can become even higher at university with trying to fend for yourself, making new friends, exams.
Make sure that you keep an eye on your blood glucose as strees can make them rise.
Alcohol
At univiersity this is a huge part of life.
Diabetes does not stop you from drinking you just need to be more aware. Read more on the alcohol and night out page.
Exams
Exams get harder and longer in university, some can be 4 hours long. You need to make a plan for these regarding blood glucose and insulin. Read more on the exam page.
Cooking
This might be the first time that you will have to cook for yourself.
Before leaving home cook with mum and dad and learn some basics, how to cook chicken and meats, basic casserole, roast dinner, stirfry.
Also start a recipe book, either buy one or write your own and fill it with your own recipes. Read more on the food page.
Disability Student Allowance
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Most diabetics will get a bit of help from DSA
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They mainly give you money to buy a personal fridge that can sit in your room to store insulin
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This saves you putting it in a communal fridge with strangers
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DSA also help if you have dyslexia as well
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They may also be able to put other provisions in place if you need other help
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Visit this website for more information:
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I would register with your local GP
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​This will allow you to pick up prescriptions
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If you become ill you can go to the GP without the hassle of paperwork
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Once registered make an inital appointment to chat to the GP about how they care for diabetics, to get medication on your prescription and get your name on their diabetic books.
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Hospital based care is up to you
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​Some move to uni hospital so you can have appointments during term time
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Some leave it at home and make appointments in the breaks
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Leaving it at home gives you continuity of care
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Having it at uni means you can see your DSN if it is required on short notice if a problem arises.
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Registering with a GP
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Moving your hospital care to uni or stay at home
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Inform your team of your move
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Prescription exemption certificate (especially moving to england from wales)
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Pump supplies, change your address
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Where to get sharp bins from (Ask GP or DSN)
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Disability student allowance
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Fridge, storing insulin in your flat
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Set reminders or alarms for insulin and BMs
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Consider a more flexible insulin regime
University can be a daunting prospect for anyone let alone someone with diabetes.
You might be living away from home in a new city.
You will make new friends and meet loads of new people
There will be parties and long nights in the libary
There will be highs and lows
Your freedom and independance will bloom
CONGRATULATIONS!!
Results in and the dreaded UCAS has been checked
And you are in and off to university!!
Things to consider...
GP and Hospital
Your halls might be able to give you a medical fridge so talk to them.
Who to tell...
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People you live with.
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​Especially if your insulin is in the communal fridge
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It helps for them to understand why you do certain things
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Most people will be interested and may ask questions about it
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But I have never come across anyone who was rude or mean about it
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If you have a hypo or need medical attention they will know
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Main lecturer or facillatator
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If you have a regular teacher then possibly tell them
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This means it will be easier to treat hypos and test without questions
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University disability team
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Just to let them know so they are aware of you
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Other tips...
Living away from home...
This can be quite daunting but also really exciting.
You can go out whenever you want
You can have people round when you want
You cook for your self
You can go to bed when you want
You have to get your own prescriptions
You have to sort out your own sharps bin
You have to make your own appointments
You have to rememeber all your insulin and BMs measurments
You have to look after yourself when you are ill
All of this might seem scary, but you will be suprised how much you can do without thinking.
Hints and Tips
REMEMBER!!!
Don't let your diabetes stop you doing something you want to do!!
MAke it fit to your life not you to its!!
Refernces: The information on this page has been adapted from the following scources.
Gov.uk. Disabled Students' Allowances (DSAs) - GOV.UK [Internet]. 2015 [cited 14 August 2015]. Available from: https://www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas/how-to-claim
Diabetes.co.uk. Diabetes at University - Packing, Exams & Avoiding Weight Gain [Internet]. 2015 [cited 14 August 2015]. Available from: http://www.diabetes.co.uk/teenagers/diabetes-at-university.html
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Keep a blood glucose diary.
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​Help you see trends and see if you are forgetting any testing
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Set alarms for insulin
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​If you are on a set time for injections set alarms as everyday is different there is not as strict a routine, so it is more easily forgotten
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Have your sick day rules to hand and pre set
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​This will help when you are ill so you can look after yourself
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Have a set day when you check your supplies of needles and insulin
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​If it is found to be low then put in a prescription, this will stop you from running out
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Write reminders that you need to set up appointments for eyes, feet and HbA1c
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​If you have a planner write a note to yourself a week before to make an appointment
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Always carry a BM machine, pen and hypo kit. All with enough supplies as you never know what you will do at the end of lectures
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Off To University
