3 minute read
Resilience: Dyslexia
DYSLEXIA TIPS FOR LEARNERS
It’s estimated that around 10% of the UK population are dyslexic. That’s more than 6.3 million* people in the UK! So if that’s you, you’re not alone!
Dyslexia is a learning difficulty that primarily affects reading and writing skills. It can also affect how information is processed, organisation skills and retaining information.
Suzy Blakeley-Monk, a successfully qualified electrician, shares her experience and offers her top tips.
QWhen did you realise you were dyslexic?
AI first realised I was dyslexic when I was 7 years old.
QDid you receive any support at school?
AUnfortunately not. In fact my head mistress told me that because I had dyslexia I wouldn’t be able to go to University. Well, a few years on and I was accepted at one of the top Universities in Wales!
QWhat have you found most difficult?
AOh, lots of things! Remembering information has been hard and I’m no good with numbers! I only passed one exam to begin with. I really struggled. It would have been easy to give up but how would that have helped me? I knew I had to make a choice, either face it head on or give up. I passed my AM2 with 96.7%! So, it is possible. Q What tips can you offer to someone struggling with dyslexia?
AI’ve learnt a number of brilliant techniques that have been a massive help. Here are five of my top tips:
1NOTEBOOKS & HIGHLIGHTER PENS:
Grab yourself a selection of notebooks for different things that you are working on, keep them next to you and jot things down while you’re in class or on a job. Then go over your notes with different highlighter pens to separate different things you are writing or reading, this will help you learn more easily. Highlight calculations and important things you’ll need to remember for the exams.
2STICKY TABS AND POST-IT NOTES:
Use sticky tabs to mark each section of the Wiring Regs so you can easily find your way around it. This was a life saver for me and I still use it now.
@princesssparkanglesey19
3DIARY AND TIMETABLE:
Make your diary your best friend and write down everything that you’ve done, job by job. Put your timetable up on the wall so you don’t need to remember what you’re doing that day.
4IRLENS GLASSES:
Reading on a white background is difficult for dyslexics, so try printing on blue tinted paper, or grab a pair of tinted glasses (look up ‘IRLENS glasses’).
5FINALLY, ASK FOR HELP!:
There are lots of resources that can help you, including 1-1 tutorials or extra time in exams, for example, so make sure you ask for help.
*Source: British Dyslexia Association 2020
Studying for a career in the electrical industry?
Find out how the IET can help
As co-publisher of the IET Wiring Regulations, now updated to BS 7671:2018+A2:2022, we have lots of information and guidance available to help you get into the electrical industry.
From informative articles on different ways into industry and the most relevant qualifications, to videos designed to help de-mystify certain areas of the IET Wiring Regulations, our website is full of useful resources for electrical students, including: – Books for students, such as the Student’s Guide to the IET
Wiring Regulations – The Student’s Guide video series including topics such as Safe
Isolation and Risk Assessment – Wiring Matters magazine articles to help you with your studies – A job profile bank detailing some of the many different career options available to you when you qualify Get your copy of the Student’s Guide to the IET Wiring Regulations, available to buy
