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Andrea started her Sociology course at the University Of Warwick in October 2009. Using her Disabled Student Allowance she applied for computer equipment to help her study but, as she told us in her diary back then, nothing had arrived at the start of termwhich left her in a bit of a pickle. She was also worried that a lack of confidence might hold her back. Find out whether it did in her update below.

It's just over two weeks until I start my second year at Warwick University. The first year was amazing and went so fast. I got my first set of results in June and achieved a 2.1 so I’m really pleased. It is quite scary though as from now on everything will count towards my final grade.

Although I thoroughly enjoyed my first year there were a few challenges. I didn’t receive my DSA equipment until January and even then mistakes were made. I didn’t get the printer until June which was three days after my first exam. The University was fantastic though. They lent me a laptop and dictaphone and the disability officer was constantly nagging Student Finance England about my DSA equipment. It did cause problems in terms of being able to keep up with the readings, essays and so on. But the University helped and arranged for one of my support workers to read core texts into a dictaphone.

At the end of the year my course became a little tedious so I am transferring from a straight sociology degree to a joint course including politics/international relations. It sounds really interesting.

Getting to and from campus is no longer a problem. Cara (my guide dog) knows exactly where to get off the bus and although it takes just under an hour we are both used to it by now.

One problem that I didn’t expect was the reaction Cara gets from a large number of non-European students. I know dogs aren’t part of some cultures but the reaction is quite hysterical at times with people screaming and running away! I thought this would wear off but it hasn’t and obviously when you can’t see and someone screams very loudly near you it is a little scary.

I was asked to write a piece for the university’s international prospectus explaining that Cara is a working dog – both highly trained and hygienic and that students don’t need to worry. Hopefully this will improve next year.

In terms of the social aspect of university life I have been having a great time. I found it really easy to make friends and for quite a while the work took a back seat. My friends are fantastic and I don’t feel left out at all. Obviously living off campus did affect getting to know people but at the time I couldn’t cook and I didn’t believe I could live on my own. Looking back I probably would have picked campus life up easily. I think I was just a bit scared. I don’t regret living at home but I’m considering moving onto campus in the third year. I think it would be great for my independence.

As for plans after university I still don’t have a clue. I am thinking I might do further study but I don’t know whether this will be at Warwick or even what I would study. After that I would love to work with children and young people but I’m not sure in what way. Careers advice will start next year and I’m hoping to do some work experience – perhaps one day a week at a local academy in Coventry to give me more of an idea.

Overall I’ve had a fantastic first year at Warwick. I am definitely much more confident and my independence is growing all the time. I’ve got amazing friends and meeting new people isn’t as daunting. The first year wasn’t perfect but everything is now in place for the second year so hopefully things will run a lot more smoothly.

Lee