Testimonial #9

“I would like to give a testimonial in support of the student advisers, they helped put me in touch with help, support and advice, without which I would not have continued at Sussex.

I came to Sussex as a 'mature' student, and as I had been out of 'home' for a number of years did not want to move into halls. While this was the best decision for me it did bring difficulties. I found it hard to mix with other students especially since I suffer from, at times, very severe depression and anxiety. I felt I didn't fit in with the other students who all seemed so confident and able to juggle studies and socialising with ease, but I also didn't fit in with the older mature students who were
settled with families etc. By the end of the first year I was really struggling, not only with the work load, which was alien to me after being out of education for years, but with the difficulty of settling in and also past demons I thought I could run away from by coming to University.

As the second year started I was enjoying the subjects but because of my anxieties was finding it hard to face coming into to university. My attendance suffered and in turn so did my grades and ability to cope. In the Autumn of my second year I went to my Academic advisor to inform her
that I had made the decision to leave Sussex. She was lovely and understanding, and could see my true passion for the course and my potential. She advised me to go and see the student advisers. I've always been a suffer-in-silence / soldier-on-alone sort but reluctantly went to the student advisers although I thought there was nothing they could do to help or change my mind. I made an appointment and was really nervous, but once I sat down was made to feel totally at ease. The advisor listened to me as I spilled the tangled mess of thoughts and worries that were filling
my head. For the first time in ages I felt like I was really being listened to and understood, she didn't think that I was a stupid or overreacting, and she helped me see that I wasn't the only one who had these problems. She helped disentangle all the different threads of issues so that we could
deal with each one separately. Firstly she pointed me in the direction of the on campus counselling to help with my personal issues, then she made an appointment for me to see the Student Support unit to help with my academic work. At first I told her that I didn't need help but she could see through my own denial and encouraged me to accept the help I needed. After leaving that first meeting I felt that a huge weight had been lifted from my shoulders.

I am now in my third year, and actually looking forward to doing my dissertation! I never thought I would get here and am so grateful to the student advisers and the help they gave me, my only regret is that I didn't go to them earlier. More importantly than the support she directed me towards, she really listened to and understood me at a time when I felt invisible. I know for a fact that I would not have continued my degree without the help of that one kind woman and know I am not the only person who she has helped. It is ridiculous that the 'management' are even considering reducing or getting rid of this service, if they do they will lose so many students who just need a little extra help.”