College (UK)

[Kuribo]

How was/is college for other Aspies from the UK?

What worked well for you and what challenges have you faced?

 

[shaunaxaconda]

Hey, I live in the uk but decided to go to university in Canada for two years (I am back in uk now). To call it a period of immense self realisation would be an understatement. I always questioned on whether I was an aspie or not but university confirmed it. I was very good academically but also felt the need to be equally social. I lived on campus and as an introvert with social anxiety you can imagine how difficult this was. I did well in the first few months faking it as a NT but after a while it became exhausting and I had to have my alone time. I became very isolated and anti social and being around people drained me. I gave up/lost touch with a lot of the friends I made in the beginning because I felt as though the person they befriended in the beginning of the year was not who I actually was and have come to the realisation that I function better with 2/3 friends and do better academically when i'm given the space and time to do the work that is required. Large groups and parties just weren't my thing and that's okay Hope this gives you some insight on what to expect good luck!

 

[rache86]

Hi Kuribo,

I'm afraid I was only diagnosed recently, and so can't relate to being a confirmed Aspie during my time at University... but I have to admit I found some difficulties during my time there regardless! I wasn't very sociable, and found going out to be a bit of a chore to say the least. I never really drank, nor did I see the point in it (still don't), and always felt enormously awkward and 'on the outside' whenever I did go out.

Obviously your experiences will depend on where you go to University - I won't name where I went here, but if you want to PM me etc. then feel free - but evidently how much your Uni/College understands AS etc. will depend on the experiences you have. Where I have been doing my training for Teaching however, has been a completely different experince, and I have felt a lot more supported during a complex and difficult period. I have to say I found living in Halls to be quite hard work, but I appreciate it wouldn't be the same for others. There is the culture that everyone needs to go out and get drunk and socialise with each other all the time, but if you have the right support network in place there are plenty of other things you could be doing instead - unfortunately during my Undergrad that wasn't the case and I really struggled, however where I am now is an awful lot better!

Hope this has helped to some degree,

Rache

 

[Kirsty]

How was/is college for other Aspies from the UK?

What worked well for you and what challenges have you faced?

It was hard for me to transition back to student life after a gap year. Even though I had been before with positive, happy memories, I felt out of place and the work was faster-paced with less support from tutors. I recently went through a break-up before enrolling in my course and my mind-set was all out of sorts and I found re-focusing hard. I experienced a bit of depression and self-sabotage a lot during the first few months and just didn't believe in myself generally. I felt like an outcast also,being around teenage students, but found my own wee group of introverted mature students in their thirties like myself.

Over time, somehow my grades had improved as my confidence had slowly returned and that gave me an extra boost in confidence to achieve the best I can. What has worked well for me is to work around a personal rota and to keep reminding myself that I CAN do the work as I have already proved this with a Distinction before, and that's what I am trying to work for again. Very fortunately, I am working on a project which I can do 'anything I want' on, instead of following a more structured brief. I find that by 'doing my own thing' works best for me as I feel free.

It makes things easier getting familiarised with faces and I know I can reach out for extra support on written work at any time from student services as I struggle with essays. There is also a coach there who I can turn to if needed or just email, but I don't really need that support, but it gives me a sense of comfort knowing there's a 'safety net' in future.