Abz has bipolar, autism and ADHD. The support he received from UA92, combined with his determination, has transformed his life. Now, he inspires the next generation of students.
When Abz started at UA92, he almost quit on day one as his anxiety was so severe.
“In my first week, I had an anxiety attack outside the classroom and thought maybe I shouldn’t even be here,” he recalls.
In high school, Abz was selectively mute. He struggled to speak to anyone and often felt isolated. He had always felt that he didn’t belong and feared people judged him. Despite that, he continued with his education and joined a traditional university in a hope of becoming a broadcaster one day. Abz found it hard to transition into student life and ended up dropping out within the first 12 months of starting the course.
He was left feeling lost and uncertain about his future until he heard about UA92, a new type of university that was opening in Manchester, Abz took a leap of faith and applied to study a Media course. His first few weeks felt just as terrifying. He developed nervous tics, felt overwhelmed and debated quitting. Within weeks, his mental health worsened and he was hospitalised.
“From day one the team at UA92 were so supportive and made sure to stay in regular contact even after I was discharged. At uni, people really looked out for me, classmates reassured me, the tutors and Wellbeing Team believed I could do this. That belief changed everything. Since then, it would be true to say I’ve made a 180-degree turn. I’m confident and unashamedly myself,” says Abz.
Small Adjustments, Big Impact
Simple but effective changes helped him navigate university life. Emails were worded carefully to avoid triggering panic, he had a fixed half-day timetable which gave him much needed structure and consistency, and a Learning Support Plan that evolved as his confidence grew. Abz credits the Wellbeing and Inclusive Support teams for helping him thrive.
With support, Abz slowly found his voice. He embraced his differences and began to enjoy student life.
“With all this support, I felt like I could finally be myself,” he says. “I started speaking in class, making friends and even giving talks, things I would never have imagined in high school.”
A New Path
Since graduating from UA92, Abz has built a career as a neurodiverse public speaker and content creator. As UA92’s very first graduate, he regularly returns to open days and graduations to share his story and his passion for UA92.
“I wouldn’t have imagined doing any of this six years ago,” he says. “Now I run marathons, speak to hundreds of people and take on new challenges every day. I’m joyful and that wasn’t the case when I first arrived at UA92.”
Abz’s Advice for Freshers
Abz wants new students to know it’s normal to feel scared.
“Take a deep breath, be brave and speak to someone straight away. Step out of your comfort zone, go to Freshers’ events, talk to new people and be authentic. You’re not alone, I was there and you can do it too.”
Why Support Matters
Mental health challenges are the main reason students drop out of higher education, according to research by TASO (Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education). A recent survey by charity Student Minds also found that 57% of students report current mental health issues, highlighting how challenging starting university can be.
Sara Prowse, our CEO, said: “Our Welcome Week events aim to help students settle in quickly, feel confident about the start of their higher education journey and ensure they not only continue with their course but also enjoy student life to its fullest, just like Abz did.”
