An overview and checklist as to the tasks and actions needed to be completed ahead of starting university.

The period ahead of going to university can feel like a bit of a whirlwind. First the immediate relief and celebration of finishing exams, followed by the growing nervous trepidation preceding results day, then before you know it you are assaulted by a flurry of emails congratulating you and informing you on the next steps to university. This can feel quite overwhelming, especially as it can be hard to plan or know what to expect, which is challenging for any student, but autism can exacerbate this. Knowing when to do key steps and what to expect along the journey can really help ease this anxiety. This is where this toolkit comes in. Before university the main steps you may start to think about are getting results, enrolling and registering. Then once happy and on the Durham internet you may start thinking ‘ooh what might I actually need at university’, and ‘oh dear, I am actually going to have to cook’. This page should hopefully guide you through these steps and point out helpful things to consider doing whilst sat in your armchair at home.

The essentials:

1. Check whether you are eligible for DSA and apply for it promptly. This will ensure that your relevant support is in place when you start.
2. Following receiving results is getting online. This can be helpful to do as soon as possible as this will enable you to complete the other tasks required before university. Just logging on can save a whole lot of hassle.
3. Once logged on complete registration and enrolment as soon as possible. This is where you shall fill in the important details in a form on ‘Banner self service’ (requires you to be logged in on Durham email) and select the optional modules you may want to study. Enrolment occurs in August, Registration occurs in September.
4. Start packing! This need not be too onerous. Pack a little bit at a time. A helpful list is found here.

Extra things to consider:

1. You may want to do a ‘virtual tour of the campus’ found here.
2. You may want to consider what societies you may want to join.
3. You may want to participate in the Early Arrival Programme if you have a diagnosis or are awaiting a diagnosis of autism.
4. You may want to download social media app such as Facebook (a surprising number of Durham societies use this) and Instagram. Then you may want to see and follow societies and colleges you are interested in to see what activities they do at certain times of year.
5. You may want to read some student stories to get a feel of what it is like at university.
6. You may even want to download the circuit plus (the plus is important!) laundry app and save yourself some hassle.

Written by a current Durham University student