What were/is your experience of university?

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lunamoon1
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06 Jan 2015, 12:43 pm

I'm hoping to go to university in a couple of years time and I was wondering what was people's social experiences life and did people make friends despite the fact they have AS? I'm just worried that I'm not going to make new friends and it's going to be awkward as even though I've adaptated NT ways, I'm still pretty awkward and quite uncomfortable (Also I can rarely keep eye contact). I'm just wondering what people's experiences like.



mel113
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06 Jan 2015, 1:06 pm

This isn't the most helpful reply buuuttttt:
I'm transferring to a University in the fall and I'll be talking to the university disability guy soon. I'll keep you posted on any helpful information but in the mean time, talk to your disability accommodations people and plan on joining a club. That way you choose a group of people who have similar interests as you.



MissDorkness
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06 Jan 2015, 1:32 pm

lunamoon1 wrote:
I'm hoping to go to university in a couple of years time and I was wondering what was people's social experiences life and did people make friends despite the fact they have AS? I'm just worried that I'm not going to make new friends and it's going to be awkward as even though I've adaptated NT ways, I'm still pretty awkward and quite uncomfortable (Also I can rarely keep eye contact). I'm just wondering what people's experiences like.

I'll admit that I didn't make too many friends my freshman year at uni, but, I was a commuting student at a small university where almost everyone lived on campus. Since I always had to leave right after school to get to work, I didn't have time to stay and chat after class, or meet up with anyone for coffee or ice cream, etc.

But, I made friends pretty easily when I went to night school. Sometimes folks just want to pop out for a round of pool after class, and I obviously wasn't on my way to work then, so I could go along. Most of us worked, so we had our jobs to complain about.
It was also better as I went along because I was in more niche classes specific to my degree then, smaller classes and there were people with more of my interests (computers and building, and the associated nerdy stuff like sci-fi and fantasy). While folks were always nice to me in school, I didn't always have much to contribute to general conversations. ;)

I think if you're around the other students, you shouldn't have a problem. And, it'll get even easier as you move into coursework you're interested in.



AndrewtheFiddler
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06 Jan 2015, 2:46 pm

I was able to make plenty of friends. I was extremely aloof in High School, and
interacted with almost no one. When I came to University, I stayed in residence,
in a single room, and made a couple dozen friends who were members of my residence
house. People are more accommodating of eccentric behaviour. I'm a music major too, so
there are multiple Autistics in the program and everyone is weird. I still not make many close
friends, but this is from personal choice; other Autistics I know have may close friends.
Overall don't worry to much about it, and the best advice I can give you is get a single room,
and let people know about ASD, just enough that they don't misinterpret you, and you should do fine.



queensamaria
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06 Jan 2015, 9:31 pm

You are asking the wrong person. I'm not in a university, I'm still in a community college.


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xenocity
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07 Jan 2015, 1:12 am

University was an overall decent experience.
Though I transferred in after completing my associates degree.

In mid 2010 I finally had a breakdown (that's what I call it), which wound me up in the mental health clinic at school.
This is where I was given my series of diagnosis.
Funny enough they were shocked that I made it this far in life without being diagnosed with AS among other things.

This blew a big hole in my academic career, which delayed me at least a year in completing undergrad.
After failing to get a job near graduation I took the extra 1.5 years to complete my Masters in IT management (my MIS classes double dipped).


I oddly enough wasn't experienced enough to get internships post 2011, thanks to the great recession.
I also haven't found employment since graduation in July.

I constantly get asked in interviews why I haven't held any degree related employment since summer of 2011.
No one would hire me for even an unpaid internship due to me not meeting the 3+ years of industry experience.


But over all I did make a life long friend, meet some people and other good experiences!
The great recession and the unemployment that followed is downside, though that has nothing to do with schooling.

So don't be afraid to experience what University and community colleges have to offer.
Also take your time and try not to run too much debt up.


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