I'm worried about living in student halls....
Hi, I'm 18 and I'm moving into student halls in University (UK equivalent to college) next week. I'm kind of nervous about looking after myself, especially with my Aspergers. Has anyone got any tips?
Also, if there are any other Aspies starting Uni or College: How are you feeling about this? What are you studying?
AspergersActor8693
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Joined: 7 Aug 2014
Gender: Non-binary
Posts: 1,231
Location: At Duelist Kingdom rescuing my brother.
As a university prof my advice is to do the following
1. Do not try to attend every party in the whole hall or even the entire university.
2. Keep your alcohol intake under control (keep it low or zero)
3. Do not even think of doing illegal drugs
4. Make sure you eat a decent diet, eat fresh fruit and veg
5. Make sure you get a decent nights sleep, you will not be able to "work, rest and play" if you do not get your sleep.
6. Do not get involved in gossip, if someone says something to you about another person then I would advise you not to repeat it. You are not the university news network (unn)
7. When you meet someone from a different culture do not judge them based on your preconceptions about that culture or group. Just treat them as another human
8. If you are tempted to cheat then do not do so, trust me the profs and even teaching assistants know how to spot cheating at a mile. It tends to irk people when they figure out you are trying to lie and cheat your way through a course.
9. Treat the university staff like human beings, I have found it pays to make friends in low places. Being friends with the security guards, cleaners and repair men has made my life more easy.
10. Take good care of your personal hygine.
Here endth the lesson
_________________
Health is a state of physical, mental and social wellbeing and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity

Diagnosed under the DSM5 rules with autism spectrum disorder, under DSM4 psychologist said would have been AS (299.80) but I suspect that I am somewhere between 299.80 and 299.00 (Autism) under DSM4.
I'm worried I might do things like forget to eat, or forget to tidy up after myself, or forget about important dates and stuff like that.
1. Do not try to attend every party in the whole hall or even the entire university.
2. Keep your alcohol intake under control (keep it low or zero)
3. Do not even think of doing illegal drugs
4. Make sure you eat a decent diet, eat fresh fruit and veg
5. Make sure you get a decent nights sleep, you will not be able to "work, rest and play" if you do not get your sleep.
6. Do not get involved in gossip, if someone says something to you about another person then I would advise you not to repeat it. You are not the university news network (unn)
7. When you meet someone from a different culture do not judge them based on your preconceptions about that culture or group. Just treat them as another human
8. If you are tempted to cheat then do not do so, trust me the profs and even teaching assistants know how to spot cheating at a mile. It tends to irk people when they figure out you are trying to lie and cheat your way through a course.
9. Treat the university staff like human beings, I have found it pays to make friends in low places. Being friends with the security guards, cleaners and repair men has made my life more easy.
10. Take good care of your personal hygine.
Here endth the lesson
Thank you!
AspergersActor8693
Veteran

Joined: 7 Aug 2014
Gender: Non-binary
Posts: 1,231
Location: At Duelist Kingdom rescuing my brother.
I'm worried I might do things like forget to eat, or forget to tidy up after myself, or forget about important dates and stuff like that.
You may have to skip a meal if your class schedule interferes with it (which I have had to do) so I would suggest having some things in your room like granola bars, cereal, crackers, or the stereotypical college student food Romen Noodles.

Unless you have people over frequently or your roomate is a neat freak, don't stress out over it too much. If you don't clean something up right away then fine, just make sure to do it and don't let it get out of control that it is a fire hazard or something. Don't leave any food related items out though, may start to smell and will attract ants.
One thing I've always had is a yearly planner. As soon as I hear an important date or a due date I put them in the planner so I know what is due and when it is due or when something important is coming up. I highly recommend getting that to keep track of dates. Even a simple notepad from a dollar store will do the trick.
I've already spent about 2 1/2 years in college so I feel safe saying I know the ropes to this.
I'm worried I might do things like forget to eat, or forget to tidy up after myself, or forget about important dates and stuff like that.
You may have to skip a meal if your class schedule interferes with it (which I have had to do) so I would suggest having some things in your room like granola bars, cereal, crackers, or the stereotypical college student food Romen Noodles.

Unless you have people over frequently or your roomate is a neat freak, don't stress out over it too much. If you don't clean something up right away then fine, just make sure to do it and don't let it get out of control that it is a fire hazard or something. Don't leave any food related items out though, may start to smell and will attract ants.
One thing I've always had is a yearly planner. As soon as I hear an important date or a due date I put them in the planner so I know what is due and when it is due or when something important is coming up. I highly recommend getting that to keep track of dates. Even a simple notepad from a dollar store will do the trick.
I've already spent about 2 1/2 years in college so I feel safe saying I know the ropes to this.
Thank you!
AspergersActor8693
Veteran

Joined: 7 Aug 2014
Gender: Non-binary
Posts: 1,231
Location: At Duelist Kingdom rescuing my brother.
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