Characteristics of studying during a gender transition
You are undergoing a gender transition and may encounter a variety of problems, such as ignorance or prejudice from lecturers and fellow students, outdated information in the student administration files, a serious burden from appointments/surgeries and a psychological burden. You may encounter obstacles or a delay in your studies or internship as a result.
This is what I deal with
Obstacles faced by students during a gender transition
As a student in the process of a gender transition, you may find yourself facing a variety of obstacles.
- Concentration problems. You have a hard time staying focused on the task at hand. You would like to receive tips and support to help you focus on your classes and successfully complete your assignments.
- Trouble with planning and organising. You are not sure where to start and have a hard time planning ahead. You are unsure what you should do when and would like help in this area.
- Anxiety or stress. Maybe you find your degree programme or internship stressful. Or maybe you experience anxiety and stress from dealing with prejudice from fellow students while undergoing a gender transition. There are possibilities to help you deal with this more effectively.
- Lack of energy. You may often feel tired and may encounter obstacles in your studies or internship as a result.
Even though these obstacles may cause difficulties, you can rest assured that more than enough tools and solutions are available that can help you successfully complete your degree programme. In the preceding section, click on the obstacle you are facing with which you could use some help. You can then read a lot more about that topic and find additional tips and tools. If your specific obstacle is not mentioned above, please refer to the comprehensive list of obstacles.
This is what I might need
Support and facilities for students dealing with special circumstances
A variety of adjustments and/or facilities are available that may be helpful to you during your degree programme. While there are national schemes, your educational institution will offer its own forms of additional support, too.
As a student dealing with special circumstances during your studies, you might have a need for the following:
- Guidance and advice. Information on guidance and advice. There are a number of people who could help you with this. It is therefore always a good idea to seek out these individuals within your degree programme whenever you run into obstacles during your studies.
- Adjusted study schedule. In many cases, lectures and exams are scheduled far in advance. Many educational institutions offer possibilities for adjusting lesson programmes and schedules or changing the dates of exams if these are a problem for you. Talk to your study adviser to explore the possibilities available to you.
Have a look at the other facilities that might be helpful for you, too.
Tips
Do not wait to ask for help
Antwoord
Every student is different, and every individual needs a different type of help. It is important to explore the options and find what works for you. Do not be afraid to ask for help at the first signs of trouble. Asking for help is actually a sign of strength, because it lets others know how much you want to succeed in your degree programme. Talk to a coordinator or confidential adviser for your programme and ask them about the possibilities available to you. It is a good idea to take a moment first to write down what you need and what kind of support you think would be helpful to you.
What to do if your situation changes during your degree programme
Antwoord
Be sure to keep your adviser up to date about what you need in terms of support, including when there are changes in your situation. That way, you can stay in touch and keep discussing how to help you study as effectively as possible. It will also give your degree programme the chance to offer – or keep offering – the help you need.
Tips for organising a safe study and learning environment
Antwoord
Read the tips that can help you and your educational institution to establish a safe study and learning environment.
Organisations
Through the tool 'Hulpwijzer'[Help Guide], you can find organisations that have expertise on your support needs. Check out the possibilities.