A year out - some advice

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Dear all,

This is my first post on this forum, and its going to incorporate a lot of elements that should probably fit into other sections of this site. In any case, I'm a diagnosed Aspie with a real passion for ancient history - I've been accepted into a great university to do it, but my obsession with it overrode a careful, methodical and balanced working ethic and student life. I've always found I've had one or two people to talk to, but gradually, over time, I just shut myself in my room, stopped going to lectures, and began to drink. I have a history of clinical depression, and my doctor wanted me out of university for a bit. I haven't dropped out - I'm still going to return after a year out, and resume my studies. My dream is to become an ancient historian - a course that I've followed unwaveringly for years. The academic staff are rooting for me, and want me to come back, but considering the job situation in most parts of Europe at the moment, it's hard to find anything else to occupy my time. If I just sit up in my room and try to study without any outside intervention or anything to do, it's all going to go to hell again. I can't find any work - voluntary or otherwise - to do. I can't seem to get into my work, and all my books on ancient history just taunt me - I want to pick it up and start working so much but at the moment it's just so hard to do that without any outside contact.

If anyone has some advice, that would be most appreciated. It's really great to find what appears to be such a caring community.

Regards

Well I would say keeping at least some level of social interaction would be good, even if it's just spending time on a forum. But it is important not to isolate yourself too much, and maybe going for a drive from time to time, or spending an afternoon in the park or something, or possibly going to the gym. Regular interaction or at least regular exposure to people will keep you in the know and it won't seem like a massive leap when you do return to your studies.

Now that you know what alcohol can do *for* you, you will do well to find something more healthy to take its place completely before it begins doing things *to* you ...

... and welcome to WP!

Why don't you travel around Europe or other continents for a few months? You could see various historical sites firsthand, and it'd probably count for extra credit on your university course as well. If you can't afford it, work in some menial job for a little while in order to pay for it.

You can also travel to other countries like South Korea and teach them English or similar. They accommodate you and pay you, and you get to experience a different culture for 6 months or something. Or you could go on a conservation trip to a place like the Phillipines, Cambodia, etc to do voluntary work. In my gap year I went to Fiji and was trained to scuba dive, then I participated in wildlife surveys in coral reefs for two months.

Thanks for your comments! I find that tea helps in regards to alcohol!

It's a bit depressing, because I really can't get down to studying anymore, but I'm happiest when I'm studying, and my piles of books sort of taunt me in a way (okay, that sounds psychotic but you get my meaning here, I hope). Any good ways to kickstart a start to study? I've been invited to stay with family in London for a few days, which night be helpful.

I've lived abroad for most of my life - I've lived in Eastern Europe, the middle east and the orient for a massive chunk of my life. I've been to many major classical sites at least once.

Also, KaiG, most people can't afford a 'gap-year'/yah, and many spend it working rather than 'travelling'. Sorry about my tone - 'gap years' just irritate me sometimes. I couldn't afford it in any case.

[quote="Aster"]I've lived abroad for most of my life - I've lived in Eastern Europe, the middle east and the orient for a massive chunk of my life. I've been to many major classical sites at least once.

Also, KaiG, most people can't afford a 'gap-year'/yah, and many spend it working rather than 'travelling'. Sorry about my tone - 'gap years' just irritate me sometimes. They're a massive privilege, and especially using them to travel is a massive bonus. I would really like to get some work experience and do a hell of a lot of reading, as well as learn a modern European language.

Teaching English would be a good thing to do - thanks for the advise, but my primary duty is academic and I've really got a hell of a lot of work to do if I want to make it as an ancient historian/

I took a gap year because I when I left school I was an undiagnosed Aspie, completely depressed and felt myself unready for university... isn't that basically the reason why you're taking a year out? It's the same thing.

I only advocate travel if you would find it useful and because it's something I've always wanted to do but haven't been able to afford. Most of the people I know who took a gap year spent half of it working and saving for the other half, when they travelled. It's not really a privilege if you work your ass off to make it happen.

I apologise. I've got quite a chip on my shoulder about rahs who think that a gap year is just a sort of 'thing that happens'. Sorry if I offended you.

No hard feelings?

In any case - the difference is with me is that I am diagnosed, and have had years of psychological help and therapy - I'm still at a loss as to how to proceed, however.

I'm not offended, I'm just stating facts. I'm diagnosed now, but I only found out about Asperger's after I started university, and didn't get diagnosed until the end of my second year.

Anyway, if your main problem is a lack of social interaction, I'd suggest you try to find some groups in your area that you could join that might have people who share your interests, besides history. Do you have any hobbies that have even the most remote social potential? Do you have any friends at all, perhaps through whom you could meet other like-minded people?

I'd refrain from drinking if you've had problems with it in the past, as well.

Yeah I've pretty much stopped drinking now. I think doing ANYTHING with other people would be good. All my friends are going back to uni soon.