Studying with dyslexia

Dyslexia is a learning disorder which is common among students and can impact your studies at Leiden University.

The symptoms of dyslexia include difficulties in spelling, reading quickly or reading large amounts of texts. Some students have trouble with understanding the meaning of written text quickly. This means that studying with dyslexia may require additional time and effort. Many students study successfully and accomplish many things despite their diagnosis. Leiden University has a range of study adjustments available to support you throughout your studies.

Extra time for exams

If you have dyslexia, you can request extra time for exams (10 minutes extra per hour). For this, you generally do not need to make an appointment with Fenestra. However, you do need to upload a document confirming your disability.

Other facilities

If you require other facilities, discuss with Fenestra what might be possible in your situation. Other facilities might include, for example:

Examination papers in a larger format
Use of laptop for examinations
Extensions to assignment deadlines
Alternative study plan with a reduced workload
Text-to-speech software, that reads your study materials aloud whilst highlighting the text.

Requesting adaptations

Log into uSis
Click on Studying with a disability
Follow the instructions

When requesting additional faculties, you must upload a document confirming that you have a disability. This document can only be viewed by student counsellors at Fenestra.
The student counsellors will send their decision or advice to the study adviser and Board of examiners of your (main) study programme. This decision or advice will state the type of disability you have and if necessary, the symptoms that necessitate the additional facility.
Decisions can also be viewed by study advisers and Boards of Examiners of other study programmes. However, they will only view them if this is relevant for you as a student, for example if you are following courses from another study programme. This means you will not have to request the facilities again if you follow courses from a different study programme or faculty.
Staff who are responsible for organising additional facilities can only view information on the facilities granted to you. They cannot see information on the nature of your disability.

Studying at more than one faculty or study programme?

Discuss it with your study adviser!

Are you following more than one study programme, doing a course or minor at another faculty, or changing study programmes after being granted additional facilities? It can occur that due to practical or educational reasons, you may not be able to make use of the additional facility or it may be organised in a different way. It is therefore important to discuss any facilities you have already been granted with the study adviser of the relevant study programme(s) as soon as possible.

The tips below can help you to study more effectively and keep the difficulties caused by your dyslexia to a minimum. Try a few of them to find out what works best for you. Give it a few weeks. Research proves that it takes 21 days to change a habit.

Planning and organising

Plan your work well.
Use a well-structured agenda.
Make sure you have an organised workspace where you won’t be disturbed.
Install IT aids when necessary, such as a magnifying screen or special software. Fenestra staff can offer advice.
The Pomodoro technique is a good method to help you concentrate on your studies. For periods of 25 minutes you focus intently on your studies, then take a short break and repeat.

Processing study materials

Summarise longer texts into a different format such as a list or diagram.
Study graphics, diagrams and tables carefully.
Repeat what you have read out loud in your own words.
Discuss the materials with fellow students to improve your understanding and test what you have learnt.
Find out if you text books are available in other formats.

Following lectures

Try to find out in advance what the lecturer is going to cover that day so you can look at the materials in advance.
Check if the sheets and notes that your lecturer will use are available in the digital learning environment. If not, ask your lecturer for them.
Ask your lecturer if you may record the lecture.
Ask a fellow student if you may copy his or her notes.
You can buy study notes and summaries via SIL and the JoHo.

Written assignments

Divide your written assignment into smaller steps and complete them one by one.
If you find it hard to order your thoughts, first record your ideas on a voice recorder, then put them on paper.
Don’t try to make it perfect first time round. Make a rough version. Once you have all the basics on paper, start working on the style.
Ask someone to check and correct your text. This isn’t a sign of weakness. Your lecturers also ask people to edit their work.

Taking exams

Prepare well. Practice doing old exam papers and let fellow students test you.
Before starting, read the instructions carefully. Check how many questions you must answer and how much time you have.
First answer the questions you immediately know the answers to. Then do the questions you find more difficult.
Try to remain relaxed. Take short breaks now and then and try doing relaxation exercises. Don’t feel pressurised by the tempo of other students.
At the top of essay-type exams, add a brief note explaining that you are dyslexic and apologising for any textual mistakes. Lecturers will take this into consideration.
If you frequently run out of time in exams, request extra exam time.

If you have difficulty concentrating, you could consider joining a study support group. You will study every week with the same group of fellow students in the low-stimulus study room, under the guidance of a volunteer. You can also make use of sound cancelling headphones and privacy screens. During your group breaks, you can share tips on overcoming challenges and so support one another. The group consists of maximum 8 students from diverse faculties and age groups.

When?

Wednesdays and Thursdays, from 10.00 till 13.00, and from 14.00 till 17.00

Where?

Plexus Student Centre, Niet Spieken room (1st floor)

Sign up

There are limited spaces available so you can only join if you sign up in advance. Sign up for the study support group

Guidance & advisors

Fenestra Disability Centre provides advice on all disability-related matters. If you need support in other areas, there are other advisers available.
See all advisers and guidance services

Financial support

Students with a disability can incur additional expenses both during their studies and in daily life. There are a number of regulations, funds and special allowances in place that can help to ease the financial burden.
Read more about financial support

Workshops & courses

Leiden University organises workshops and courses that can help you to improve your study skills.
Take a look at the workshops and courses

Study tips

Leiden University offers study tips that can help you to study more efficiently despite any obstacles brought about by your disability.
Take a look at the study tips

Healthcare and home care

In some circumstances you might need additional healthcare or home care facilities or support.
Read more about healthcare and home care

Housing

Additional facilities in the home might be both needed and welcome if you have a disability.
Read more about housing

Legal protection

According to the Act on the Equal Treatment of the Disabled and Chronically Ill, it is strictly forbidden to discriminate on the grounds of disability and chronic illness when providing employment, accommodation, goods and services.
Read more about legal protection

Social support

Staying in contact with other students might not always be easy but it is very important. Find out about the different ways in which you can meet other students.