Written by Alice Craigen, Translated by Iwan Thomas
Students that enrol into higher education will feel a sense of pressure in managing all things student life. Assignments, deadlines, research and lectures are a fraction of the pressures of university life. It is no easy job for anyone to endure, but for individuals with learning differences, these tasks can seem even more daunting. A learning difference itself refers to how a student learns and differs for each individual and their needs. Those who have learning differences may feel a heightened sense pressure in achieving their goals. Even so, there is a growing body of lecturers and professionals, all of whom recognise the importance in helping those attain the best results they can. No matter what the learning difference is, it's important that students are being listened to and supported throughout the university process.
There is often a limited number of those who feel ready to enter university with a specific learning difference due to a lack of confidence or fear of falling behind their peers. Some even avoid attending university or higher education as they see their learning difference as an obstacle. A few are even advised not to attend at all. However, university is a space that offers help and support to anyone, no matter their unique learning abilities and those with learning differences should not be discouraged.
Adapting to higher education:
Students entering university with a learning difference are not a statistic and can struggle immensely. In recognising that everyone has different needs and qualities we can do more to help. I spoke with a third year English Literature student about their experience of having a learning difference at university:
‘Having a learning difficulty in university made me realise that I had the capability to do things that I would have struggled with immensely in Secondary school and college. Some bad habits do trickle in, such as procrastination, and my notes get messy and don’t make much sense when I’m struggling to understand what the questions are conveying or in lectures when I can’t quite comprehend what I’m listening to. Despite that, recently I've become a lot better just by merely applying myself to a time schedule (even though that in itself is a bit of a mess), it allows me to feel productive and that to me is kind of addictive. I've also learnt how to do things that aren't in order, and I have found that doing this has helped me a lot in my essays etc, as well as blurting everything down on one page and revisiting everything later.’
In the right environment, those with educational differences can be encouraged to recognise their learning differences not as a problem, but as an advantage.
What you can do:
If you feel you may have a learning difference, it is important that you get assessed by a professional who can offer you the right help and support. Aberystwyth University are offering a free screening for those who believe that they may have a learning difference. You can contact disability@aber.ac.uk to see if you are entitled. If you believe that you may have a learning difference, the help and support you would receive has the potential to really elevate your studies. Asking for help is always the best option!
Once you are aware of your learning difference, you can be offered several solutions to suit your requirements. For example, an extension can provide the extra time needed to complete work may and may be incredibly valuable in how you process certain information. It takes the pressure away from the task at hand and you can then manage your time how you see fit. As well as this, you can apply for DSA (Disabled Students Allowance). The DSA grant covers a range of assistance including; technology, financial support and study skills tutors, who will work with you to suit your needs. DSA can supply assistance to ease the process of learning in university.
Aberystwyth University offers a range of contacts that can be used if you have any questions about your learning difference or possible learning difference. Here is a list of useful links to find out more information:
https://www.aber.ac.uk/cy/studentservices/accessibility/disability-learning-support/
(Frequently asked questions)
hygyrchedd@aber.ac.uk
anabledd@aber.ac.uk
(01970) 621761 or 622087.
Gwahaniaethau Dysgu yn y Brifysgol: Pam na ddylech ofni addysg uwch
Bydd myfyrwyr sy'n cofrestru mewn addysg uwch yn teimlo pwysau wrth reoli popeth o fywyd myfyriwr. Mae asesiadau, terfynau amser, ymchwil a darlithoedd yn ffracsiwn o bwysau bywyd prifysgol. Nid yw'n waith hawdd i unrhyw un ei ddioddef, ond i unigolion â gwahaniaethau dysgu, gall y tasgau hyn ymddangos yn fwy brawychus byth. Mae gwahaniaeth dysgu ei hun yn cyfeirio at sut mae myfyriwr yn dysgu ac mae'n wahanol i bob unigolyn a'u hanghenion. Gall y rhai sydd â gwahaniaethau dysgu deimlo mwy o bwysau i gyflawni eu nodau. Fodd bynnag, mae nifer cynyddol o ddarlithwyr a gweithwyr proffesiynol, ac mae pob un ohonynt yn cydnabod pwysigrwydd helpu'r rheini i gyflawni'r canlyniadau gorau posibl. Waeth beth fo’r gwahaniaeth dysgu, mae’n bwysig bod myfyrwyr yn cael eu clywed a’u cefnogi drwy gydol proses y brifysgol.
Yn aml, mae nifer gyfyngedig o bobl ifanc sy’n teimlo’n barod i fynd i’r brifysgol gyda gwahaniaeth dysgu penodol oherwydd diffyg hyder neu yn ofni mynd ar ei hôl hi o’u cyfoedion. Mae rhai hyd yn oed yn osgoi mynychu prifysgol neu addysg uwch gan eu bod yn gweld eu gwahaniaeth dysgu fel rhwystr. Mae rhai hyd yn oed yn cael eu cynghori i beidio â mynychu o gwbl. Fodd bynnag, mae prifysgol yn ofod sy'n cynnig cymorth a chefnogaeth i unrhyw un, waeth beth fo'u galluoedd dysgu unigryw a'r rhai sydd â gwahaniaethau dysgu, ni ddylid digalonni.
Addasu i addysg uwch
Nid yw myfyrwyr sy'n mynd i'r brifysgol gyda gwahaniaeth dysgu yn ystadegyn a gallant gael trafferth aruthrol. Trwy gydnabod bod gan bawb wahanol anghenion a rhinweddau gallwn wneud mwy i helpu. Siaradais â myfyriwr Llenyddiaeth Saesneg trydedd flwyddyn am eu profiad o gael gwahaniaeth dysgu yn y brifysgol:
‘Roedd cael anhawster dysgu yn y brifysgol wedi gwneud i mi sylweddoli bod gen i'r gallu i wneud pethau y byddwn i wedi'u cael yn anodd iawn yn yr ysgol uwchradd a'r coleg. Mae rhai arferion drwg yn diferu, fel oedi, ac mae fy nodiadau yn mynd yn flêr ac nid ydynt yn gwneud llawer o synnwyr pan fyddaf yn cael trafferth deall yr hyn y mae'r cwestiynau'n ei gyfleu neu mewn darlithoedd pan na allaf ddeall yn iawn beth rwy'n gwrando arno. Er gwaethaf hynny, yn ddiweddar rydw i wedi gwella'n fawr dim ond trwy wneud cais fy hun am amserlen (er bod hynny ynddo'i hun yn dipyn o lanast), mae'n caniatáu i mi deimlo'n gynhyrchiol ac mae hynny i mi yn fath o gaethiwus. Rwyf hefyd wedi dysgu sut i wneud pethau allan o drefn, ac rwyf wedi gweld bod gwneud hyn wedi bod o gymorth mawr i mi yn fy nhraethodau ac ati, yn ogystal â chymylu popeth ar un dudalen ac ailymweld â phopeth yn ddiweddarach.'
Yn yr amgylchedd cywir, gellir annog y rhai sydd â gwahaniaethau addysgol i gydnabod eu gwahaniaethau dysgu nid fel problem, ond fel mantais.
Beth allech chi ei wneud?
Os ydych chi'n teimlo bod gennych chi wahaniaeth dysgu, mae'n bwysig eich bod chi'n cael eich asesu gan weithiwr proffesiynol a all gynnig y cymorth a'r gefnogaeth gywir i chi. Mae Prifysgol Aberystwyth yn cynnig sgrinio am ddim i'r rhai sy'n credu y gallai fod ganddynt wahaniaeth dysgu. Gallwch gysylltu ag hygyrchedd@aber.ac.uk i weld a oes gennych hawl. Os ydych chi'n credu bod gennych chi wahaniaeth dysgu, mae gan y cymorth a'r gefnogaeth y byddech chi'n eu derbyn y potensial i wella'ch astudiaethau. Gofyn am help yw'r opsiwn gorau bob amser!
Unwaith y byddwch yn ymwybodol o'ch gwahaniaeth dysgu, gallwch gael cynnig nifer o atebion i addasu i'ch gofynion. Er enghraifft, gall ymestyn ddarparu'r amser ychwanegol sydd ei angen i gwblhau gwaith, a gall fod yn hynod werthfawr o ran sut rydych chi'n prosesu gwybodaeth benodol. Mae'n tynnu'r pwysau oddi ar y dasg dan sylw ac yna gallwch reoli'ch amser fel y dymunwch. Yn ogystal â hyn, gallwch wneud cais am LMA (Lwfans Myfyriwr Anabl). Mae'r grant LMA yn cwmpasu amrywiaeth o gymorth gan gynnwys; tiwtoriaid technoleg, cymorth ariannol a sgiliau astudio, a fydd yn gweithio gyda chi i addasu i'ch anghenion. Gall LMA ddarparu cymorth i hwyluso'r broses o ddysgu yn y brifysgol.
Mae Prifysgol Aberystwyth yn cynnig amrywiaeth o gysylltiadau y gellir eu defnyddio os oes gennych unrhyw gwestiynau am eich gwahaniaeth dysgu neu wahaniaeth dysgu posibl. Dyma restr o ddolenni defnyddiol i ddarganfod mwy o wybodaeth:
https://www.aber.ac.uk/cy/studentservices/accessibility/disability-learning-support/
(Cwestiynau cyffredin)
hygyrchedd@aber.ac.uk
anabledd@aber.ac.uk
(01970) 621761 neu 622087.