Case studies 
Annette
| Age | < 20 |
| Degree | Archaeology, Single Subject |
| Year | 3 |
| Full-Time / Part-Time | Full-Time |
| Disability | Dyslexia |
| Diagnosis | Less than 1 year ago |
I was only diagnosed with dyslexia in my third year at University, so basically I struggled through until then. Once I had been diagnosed I found it a lot easier because, in my head, I could cope with it more. I got the extra time in exams and in my essays things were discounted like spelling and grammar. I was told I would get a computer and Dictaphone. I managed to get them in the last week of term, so it did not help me at all. I have them now, so I can use them to help with work. But in my last year at University, they were no help.
I had always noticed the dyslexia, I am very forgetful. They told me I have got a very bad short-term memory due to it. So remembering things, where I am going and what I am doing can be difficult. Regarding organisational skills, I have to write down what I am doing day-to-day. Writing essays and reading takes me longer to do as well.
I did all my fieldwork before I was diagnosed and did not really find any difficulties. My main difficulty was filling in context sheets; it was things like that that I was really struggling with. Trying to get across what was in my head onto paper, remembering the context numbers and what went where. I did have to sit longer than was probably necessary writing things. I managed okay, but I do remember thinking: ‘This is a bit difficult’. Planning and section drawing I did not find too bad, but I only did it about twice. Not too many difficulties. I think the greatest thing about it was the enjoyment of the teamwork and hands-on experience, and the chance to get dirty! I did not really have too many problems with the fieldwork. The only thing I would say is about the Library, but that does not really cover fieldwork. It was really difficult getting hold of books. The main ones you needed were always in the Short Loan section; you can either have them for four hours or overnight. You take it back and someone else needs it, so you have really limited access. I also found I could get lost. Once I was in there for two hours looking for a book because it was just a number and the name. I had tapped in the wrong name and I was just walking round the library forever! The fieldwork and everything like that was okay.
I have no regrets about doing archaeology; I really enjoyed it and hope to pursue a career in it. I keep applying for jobs. I’d like to go into the research side working for magazines and things like that.
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