Experiences jumping from high school to college?

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I'm curious to see if people with autism had difficulty transitioning from high school to college life. Because I sure did. I wasn't ready for being on my own, in my own dorm, taking four classes a semester. If I had done things differently, I would have waited a couple of years to gain some social maturity. And I probably wouldn't have started far away from home and I would have taken fewer classes. We autistic people don't tend to do well with multi-tasking. What does everyone think?

Agreed.

Though, I was mature enough to live on my own and could function independently as far as living was concerned; I had a lot of trouble with the social aspects and multitasking and knowing what to do, when to do it, and who to do it with. I'd never constantly been around so many people before and it was terrifying.

I don't think I would have done anything differently though. Had I gone to school closer to home then I would have been able to go and hide there when I was overwhelmed and I wouldn't have learned the coping skills I am building. And if I'd taken fewer classes I'd have been bored out of my skull.

I found it alot easier in a sense that I was more able to focus on my studies, since there wasnt the need to be looking over my shoulder and focusing on "survival" due to bullies as opposed to high school.In high school,my focus was on survival more than it was acedemics, due to the bullying.I only studied enough to pass and "get the heck outta there:".Luckily my marks were good enough to get into college.Compared to high school,college is gravy.....No bullies,no harrassment....just studying and focusing on my school work.I may be ignored at times by my peers, but its better than being harrassed or gossipped about.

My transition from highschool to college was horrible. Contrary to what others believe, I was fine with moving away from home and going so far to college. It was just the social maturity part and when you live on campus as freshman in a party dorm you see a lot considering I lived under a rock during highschool. It was horrible, I just wasnt adjusting getting along with people and my grades were really bad too. My whole life was falling apart and I was really depressed and kinda suicidal.

hopefully i wont have to live in a dorm right away. i might live with my sister and then transfer to a different college.
my sister has an apartment and just drives to her college, she doesnt really talk to many people on campus but she's fine with it because she has her mates and boyfriend living near.

I loved getting away from high school. I had bad experiences there, and college was a fresh start. I wasn't even homesick, and I moved 500 miles away.

For me, I'm EXTREMELY anxious about moving out of my house and going to college. I don't feel that I am mature enough. I can't handle it. Well, the clock is ticking for me. I will have to apply for college next year.

I had difficulties adapting to the changes. From being from a special needs school to a mainstream college.
To me it feels like some huge major steps that I was even very emotional about it non stop thinking the world for me is gonna end.
It turned out good in the end as I met someone who is like me (yes hes also diagnosed)

I'm glad it's going well for you. Keep us posted!

Is it helpful to have a 'gap year' to reduce the stress of such changes to really take time off and think about our real interests after high school?

Thanks ottorocketforever, I also remember that I had to really really learn alot of things, how to hold my temper, cut down on making random noises, improve on my work, and the one I struggled with most was being independent. My mum thought I might end up having a breakdown, being a victim of racism or end up getting bullied which I'm surprised tht it didn't happen to me. I've mastered most of them but the temper is unfortunelately still there but I can manage to hold it for such a long time that I just sulk instead or distract myself.

It would help much more but it would mean you would have nothing to do and a type of person who loves to stick to my routines. It could be stressful and depressing for me.

i think it depends on the person.
for me, i would not do well in a gap year. i'd be far too nervous to go to college after such a wait, and i would keep putting it off, as i procrastinate a lot.

I didn't have any problems making the transition. Based on my experiences in a National Science Foundation summer program, I took the precaution of booking a single room in the dorm and as an engineering student (13 women in a class of 635), no one expected me to be social. Plus, I didn't have surplus money for alcohol or drugs. I think the toughest part was dealing with going from being the star science student in high school to the middle of the pack at a top college. First time I really had to work at subjects I liked.