A Scots student was diagnosed with epilepsy after collapsing in her halls in the second week of university. Amelia Hearns, who is studying a law and business degree at the University of Aberdeen, suffered a seizure within days of starting first year in September 2021.
"My personality is quite like 'just take it on the chin', and I think I was in quite a big stage of denial at that point as I just believed it was a one-off seizure. I had heard a lot from other people that they've just had one when they were younger and then never had one since so I just carried on as life way.
"It was then that they diagnosed me with photosensitive epilepsy. I don't actually think that's the case because I've been to nightclubs with flashing lights and flash photography. "I don't cram all my studying in at once because stress can be one of the biggest factors in seizure triggers so I'll take notes as I go and minimise cramming everything in for exam season.
Amelia has recently contemplated launching a group to help those going through the same experiences as she did, as well as those of a similar age after having her first seizure just after turning 18. "I read a lot of posts on Facebook in a group for Epilepsy Scotland and a lot of the posts are about younger children or a lot of older people so it would be really good to have people around a similar age as me. Especially being in university as well I think that's really important for some."
"I think it would definitely be a step in the right direction if training was done. If anyone was to have a seizure in a lecture or a tutorial it's probably most likely that the lecturer or tutor won't know what to do.