The Student Success Endowment: Danielle

My name is Danielle, and I'm in the final year of my BA in Music Performance at Nottingham Trent University. Coming to university has been a formative experience for me, especially as the first in my family to pursue higher education. My degree has given me the opportunity for significant personal and academic development. Music is a lifelong passion for me, and NTU gave me the ideal environment to refine my skills and connect with like-minded musicians. Beyond the classroom, I'm also a regular performer on my local gig circuit.

However, navigating student life has presented me with some challenges, particularly due to my recent diagnoses of ASD and ADHD. I suffer from executive dysfunction with my ADHD, which means that beginning a task can be incredibly challenging for me, I find it difficult to maintain concentration for extended periods and I can be distracted easily. The other side to ADHD is that I can also sometimes become hyper focused on a task and spend hours perfecting something that should take five minutes.  My ASD makes social situations difficult to navigate and I can find it hard to process information as quickly as my neurotypical peers. I can become overwhelmed easily, which has a significant impact on my mental health. I hope that gaining a deeper understanding of myself will allow me to learn how best to leverage my strengths within a supportive academic environment.

The Student Success Endowment has been incredibly beneficial and gave me the means to invest in my health and help manage these challenges. Specifically, I used the bursary to fund a swimming membership at my local gym, which has been a very positive experience for me. Previously, I considered a gym membership to be a luxury, and the cost was beyond my student budget. But now swimming has become a source of calm that is vital to my everyday life, offering much-needed stress relief and helping with my sleep. As well as improving my physical health, swimming has become a fundamental part of my self-care routine. I have found that I can better approach the demands of my studies with greater focus and clarity, especially with looming deadlines!

The SSE has directly impacted my personal development. By being able to prioritise my physical and mental well-being, I have improved my discipline and resilience, which are invaluable skills in my academic journey and beyond. Incorporating a fitness routine has allowed me to balance intense study periods with a physical outlet.

Looking ahead, I'm determined to build a career that aligns with my values, potentially in music therapy or community music workshops. I would like to use my musical skills to help others and make a difference in their lives.

To any donor who has contributed to the Student Success Endowment, I would like to say thank you! Your kindness has allowed me access to what has become an essential resource. Supporting me at a crucial time as a student made a real difference, and it is heartening to know that my success matters to others. I am very grateful for your generosity.