QMYOU Alumni Magazine Issue 84 | Page 20

First class success for student after developing the skillset to manage dyslexia Q MU POSTGRADUATE STUDENT, Annie Fowden, has achieved significant academic and career success after continuously learning how to manage her dyslexia. Dyslexia is a language based learning disability that affects around one in 10 people. The British Dyslexia Association defines dyslexia as ‘a combination of abilities and difficulties that affect the learning process in one or more of reading, spelling and writing’. People with dyslexia may experience difficulties with reading, processing, short- term memory, organisational skills and hearing or visual perception. Annie became aware of her dyslexia when she was just five years old. Throughout her early education, she struggled with aspects of learning due to the school’s limited knowledge about dyslexia and how to manage it. As a result, she was unsure whether university was a viable option for her and thought that career opportunities may be restricted. However, Annie believes dyslexia is becoming more widely recognised and is pleased that greater support is now available to manage this learning difficulty. In 2012, Annie secured a place at QMU to study Events Management. During her time at QMU, the University’s Disability Service team quickly identified the learning challenges Annie was facing, having supported many other QMU students with dyslexia in the past. The team carried out a need assessment and developed an Individual Learning Plan (ILP) to support Annie’s learning difficulties. Annie celebrating her achievement of a first class honours degree at the QMU graduation. 20 QMU assigned an external tutor to Annie to offer her personalised and continued support throughout her QMU journey. Annie benefitting from support each academic year, which included help to develop her writing, referencing and time management skills. The QMU Disability Services team also helped Annie secure funding from the Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA) to buy a laptop with assistive software. QMYOU / Supporting Students With Disabilities The positive impact of this continued support meant that Annie’s academic performance improved consistently each year. Her grades increased from Es and Ds in her first year to As and Bs in her final year. She graduated with a first class honours degree from QMU in 2016. Annie said: “The support I received from QMU’s Disability Service team has had one of the biggest and most positive influences on my experience at QMU. The help I’ve had has given me a huge confidence boost and has allowed me to reach my academic potential, as well as opening doors to new career opportunities. “The Disability Service team always made time for me and made sure I was offered personalised advice. My advice to other students with dyslexia at QMU is get out there and find out about the specialist support available to you on campus.” Annie was also one of the first QMU students to be selected for the new Apex Hotels and QMU Scholarship Programme. Apex Hotels and QMU have teamed up to launch the scheme, which is helping to bolster career opportunities for hospitality and events students each academic year. The move aims to create a new generation of hospitality leaders who can transform Scotland’s hospitality industry so that it is a key player on the world stage. Annie received a bursary and began her management apprenticeship with Apex Hotels in February 2016. The new Scholarship Programme supported Annie during her final year of study at QMU and provided her with paid work experience with Apex Hotels. The opportunity allowed Annie to gain hands-on experience across all areas of the business. Annie has now secured further employment with Apex Hotels, which is also providing additional funding to help further her postgraduate education at QMU. Annie has enrolled on the University’s new Master of Public Administration (MPA), which she hopes to complete in 2017. ❒