Look out for these icons which will direct
you to info targeted
If you decide to go away to university or college to study you will have to think about where you are going to live. Your options will include living in university halls; university owned flats or houses (usually close to the institution); or privately rented student houses.
Think about what your needs will be. Do you want meals supplied or are you well enough to shop and cook? Some halls of residence will provide meals, saving you vital energy. If your diet has changed because of your M.E. you will need to discuss this with the catering manager.
Some halls of residence are closer to your lecture halls, library and study rooms than others. Check your options and request appropriately. You will need to check the route from the hall to your classes. Check the bus service or try to pick a hall that has an easy walking route. There is a risk, particularly at the beginning and end of terms that halls are fairly noisy. To help conserve your energy you might want to request a room on the ground floor. Some rooms may have en-suite bathrooms.
If you decide to live in privately rented accommodation, always make sure you go round to check it out, particularly the distance back to lectures, rather than relying on your friends to make the decisions for you.
If you have to cook for yourself, you may find it helpful to do a menu for the week ahead. This will save having to think about food at the end of a tiring day and ensure that your diet is balanced and nourishing. To save yourself tackling a busy supermarket and carrying heavy shopping bags, you could shop online and get the store to deliver your goods.
Making your room somewhere that is relaxing is important. You may want to have a stereo or walkman for relaxing music and put up pictures and photos.
It will be important to explain to your housemates how the illness affects you and how you manage your time, so that they understand why you cannot always come out with them. You could agree with your housemates that if you have a sign on your door you do not want to be disturbed.
Information produced March 2004
