Higher education - advice for students

A Guide for students

Like many people with epilepsy, you may wish to carry on your education at college or university. Studying for a Higher Diploma, Honours Degree or similar will enable you to pursue a range of professions and careers. Deciding which course to do and where to do it are two very important decisions. And, as a person with a medical condition, you need to consider how your epilepsy would affect these choices. The following information is intended as a general guide.   

Choosing a course

The subject(s) you wish to study will reflect your general interests and perhaps your chosen career. If you are unsure whether the qualification you are looking at will be suitable for your chosen career or indeed are unsure of which career to pursue, a careers office can offer further advice. Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities will also be able to assist you. Their telephone number is 0800 328 5050.

With good seizure control, the right approach, qualifications and skills, epilepsy is not a major barrier to employment.

The majority of careers are open to people with the necessary qualifications and training, although there are some restrictions for anyone with a history of seizures for example in the Armed Forces. It is also worth remembering that a person who is responsible for the care or safety of others will need good seizure control. For this reason the 'caring' professions, such as teaching/nursing can require a seizure-free period before training can commence. However, to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), this must be assessed on an individual basis.

Whilst the DDA covers people with epilepsy there are still some employment restrictions. It is wise to be clear about these restrictions before embarking on a course. Further information on employment and epilepsy is available from the Epilepsy Action online shop.   

Choosing a college

If there is a choice of colleges offering your course, it is worth considering the following points.

• Do you want a college in your own area, or would you like to look further afield?
• Do you want a college with a large student community or something smaller?
• Does the college have social activities reflecting your interests?

It is likely that there will be a question about disability on most application forms. This is to give colleges and universities a chance to make any necessary preparations. Whilst for many people epilepsy is not a disability, it can cause disadvantage and therefore additional resources may be made available. Such resources may be an LCD monitor for someone with photosensitive epilepsy, priority for college accommodation, or even allowance for extra time for exams. Such concessions can be invaluable.

Some people worry that disclosing their medical condition will put them at a disadvantage. Discrimination does exist, but many colleges recognise that disability and inability are not the same thing and that people with disabilities have as much right to and as much aptitude for learning as anyone else. The Disability Discrimination Act is also there to protect students with epilepsy.

Remember, your epilepsy will not be identical to anyone else's. When deciding whether to disclose your epilepsy to a college, consider how your epilepsy might affect your studies, and what the college may need to know in order to provide you with support.   

At college/university

• Unless you are a day student, don't forget to register with an appropriate medical service or practice at the earliest opportunity.
• You may also wish to introduce yourself to the campus medical staff.
• If there is any possibility of your having a seizure during teaching sessions consider telling some friendly fellow students what happens and what to do - and what not to do. Experience shows that well informed friends can be a source of security and support.
• If you are one of the small number of people with photosensitive epilepsy, and using a computer is vital for your course, you may be eligible for a special equipment allowance from your local education authority. This would pay for an LCD screen, for example, where this would be beneficial to you.

Social life

There is no reason why anyone with epilepsy should not enjoy the social aspects of college life. The Students Union officers are a useful source of information about clubs, social events, societies etc. Some things, however, can increase the risk of seizure. These include excess alcohol, lack of sleep and disturbed sleep patterns, missing meals and, of course, forgetting to take anti-epileptic medication as prescribed.

If you have photosensitive epilepsy, you should consider avoiding discos or clubs where there are strobe or flashing lights. If flashing or flickering lights come on without warning, you should immediately cover one eye with the palm of your hand.

Some recreational drugs are known to trigger seizures. Any associated change in lifestyle such as losing your appetite, missing meals, not getting enough sleep and again, forgetting to take anti-epileptic medication according to your normal routine, are all possible triggers.   

Stress

A college or university course is demanding. There is evidence that people with epilepsy perform at their best when they are mentally active, but not in a state of acute stress. Extremes of inactivity or stress may increase the chance of a seizure. If you feel stressed, seek help from your student health doctor or local doctor and also discuss the source of the problem with your personal tutor. Your Students Union should also be able to offer help and advice. As with any student, the re-scheduling of work and study patterns may be the answer. Do not hide the problem. It will be much less trouble to try to resolve the problem at an early stage, rather than trying to cover it up and do less well than you deserve in your exams or course work. Be reassured that there are numerous examples of people with epilepsy who have attained Higher degrees, including many gaining Honours and distinction.   

Notes for tutors

See also Epilepsy - a teacher's guide

• The vast majority of people with epilepsy have their seizures fully controlled by medication.
• There are many different types of seizure. Each student's epilepsy will be unique to them.
• In some cases, epileptic activity can take place sub-clinically, that is without any obvious outward signs. This could affect learning.
• The student may be leaving home for the first time and is adapting to a new environment. This could cause a change in seizure pattern.
• In order to maintain good seizure control, the student must have easy access to a medical service where their condition and medication can be monitored. Drug side effects also need to be monitored. These are various and, although not inevitable, can be be as problematic as seizures.
• Some students with epilepsy may have been advised by their doctor, or prefer, not to live alone.
• It may be appropriate to give students with epilepsy priority in choosing whether they live in halls of residence, particularly if they are having regular seizures.
• Special consideration during exams may be given to students with epilepsy. This is because some students may perform at a less than optimum level of capability for a period as long as several days before or after a seizure. Some people with epilepsy or experience memory o concentration problems related to their epilepsy or side effects of medication. It is important to assess each student's needs individually. These could include extra time, a separate room or special equipment. Any special arrangements would need to be made before the exams start as the assessment procedure can take some time. It is the responsibility of the student with epilepsy to request special consideration and a supporting letter from the student's epilepsy specialist could be helpful. More information is available from Skill: National Bureau for Students with Disabilities
• Do be sure to include information about epilepsy in any in-house training concerning students with special needs.