“Life as a neurodivergent student” is a new podcast series co-created by Student Minds and All Things Mental Health, designed to explore and share the lived experiences of neurodivergent students in higher education. Drawing on research, clinical insight, and student-led steering groups, the series opens conversations around support, representation and navigating university life as a neurodivergent student. In each episode, students share and reflect on their own, unique, personal experiences, the lessons they have learned and their own opinions about life as a neurodivergent student. This episode is in two parts. In the first part, the team behind the series reflect on ‘Life as a neurodivergent student’ and the creation of this podcast and the other resources developed through the project. They also discuss some of the experiences that students shared with them during the project and how this aligns with research and clinical experience. Importantly, the team reflects on the fact that different students involved had very different experiences of their time at university. As Dr Ashley notes, every neurodivergent person has their own journey, and they have unique strengths and challenges, and universities are also very different. Thankfully, as the team also discussed, many universities are also improving in the support they provide.In the second half of the episode, Michael and Martha open up about their personal journeys with neurodivergence, sharing reflections on diagnosis, identity, and navigating life with “spicy” brains. Martha recounts being diagnosed with dyspraxia at age 15, a moment that shifted her understanding of herself, especially since she had only ever heard of dyslexia before. Michael reflects on his university experience, where subtle differences in how he approached tasks led to a diagnosis of both ADHD and dyslexia. For him, receiving the "label" was less about limitation and more about unlocking “self-re-discovery” and growth.Together, they explore how their brains differ from neurotypical norms, and how that shaped their academic and social experiences. Michael describes feeling overwhelmed in traditional university settings, while Martha shares the anxiety she faces when discussing her diagnosis with new people. They also confront the stigma that can come with being open about neurodivergence, and how, through peer support and introspection, they’ve embarked on powerful journeys of self-discovery to redefine what it means to thrive with a neurodiverse identity.Head to our linktree for resources specially tailored for neurodiverse students by podcast hosts and our researcher in residence https://linktr.ee/ATMH Thanks for listening!

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