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| What is college like for Aspies? |
| Hard and Horrible |
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33% |
[ 15 ] |
| Hard but fun |
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60% |
[ 27 ] |
| Easy Peasy and a total blast |
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6% |
[ 3 ] |
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| Total Votes : 45 |
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Message |
HowlingMad1992
Deinonychus
Joined: Sep 12, 2008
Posts: 398
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 Posted: Wed Oct 21, 2009 2:35 pm Post subject: |
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| At times it can be hard and at times it can be easy, but thats college for you. At the end of the day you benifit from it all. |
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Dellingr
Tufted Titmouse
Joined: Oct 27, 2009
Posts: 39
Location: Wellington, New Zealand
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| Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:56 am Post subject: |
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I found the academic transition relatively easy, or at least my abilities increased at the same rate as the difficulty did.
Socially, what really helped me was that I got into a Hall of Residence [Dorm] so I didn't have to look farther than outside my door to find people I could interact with and that I'd reliabley interact with again, becuase I saw these people several times a day, I could build relationships with them slowly and in the end I managed to make one really good friend, a few other friends and a few more acquaintances.
Of course, I was in a single room. Had I had to deal with a roommate, things could easily have gone quite differently. I'd definitely reccommend applying for a single room if such an option is there, I definitely appreciated the alone time to decompress after getting back from campus each day. It was really, really hard some of the time, especially with my repeated screwups at reading social signals but it was really worth it, and like I say, I got one of my closest friends out of it, second year seems to have gone pretty well so far.
I think university/college is a very individual experience, I'd say give it a go for a semester or so to see if it's your thing |
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Amajanshi
Raven
Joined: Apr 02, 2009
Age: 20
Posts: 101
Location: Melbourne, Australia
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| Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 11:31 am Post subject: |
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I'm not in the US where staying at college is the norm. Here, the majority of students who like at College do so coz they're either from rural areas, interstate or overseas. I live at home with my parents still coz it's much cheaper that way and take public transport every day.
Anyway for Uni, the number of lectures you have depends on your course and your subjects.
A lot of students cram in the 1 or 2 weeks before the exam period, but really it's best if you keep up to date, coz there's a lot of stuff covered in each lecture.
As for making friends at Uni, I find that the best friends at Uni are the ones that you just happen to meet, like by chance.
I found it easier to talk to the International students, quiet/introverted/geeks coz they were more likely to be accepting of your differences.
My best friend in my current course was someone who I only really talked to in Semester 4 (which is 2nd half of 2nd Year)!
Make sure you don't take part in too many extra curricular activities at the start until you know how well you can handle the Uni subjects.
Good luck! |
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riverspark
Butterfly
Joined: Oct 28, 2009
Posts: 17
Location: Long Grove, IA weekends; Ames, IA weekdays
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| Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 8:36 pm Post subject: |
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| immanuel wrote: | | Rhapsody wrote: | | LindsayLew wrote: | | i can act social when the time calls i just cant do it 24/7 and i cant do it in college all the time i'll crash eventually |
That's the problem I have with college. It's terribly overwhelming because there are so many people. Most of them are really nice and awesome and all but still, sheer volume is staggering. Plus everyone else seems to be able to hang out with each other 24/7 and still manage to somehow sleep and get to classes. I have no idea how that works and half the time I end up feeling left out. |
This is my problem too. It is literally incredible to me that so many people can be "on" all the time, constantly able to fall into a conversation with anyone they happen to meet. When i bump into someone unexpectedly, my body goes into fight or flight mode, and than afterwards I'm exhausted. It's rather annoying, to say the least. |
I am in my first semester at a university, having gotten two associate's degrees last May from the local community college. Now I live off-campus during the weekdays at a school 3 hours from home. I love my classes, the instructors, and the course content, but I am so exhausted all the time I can barely function, let alone get my schoolwork done. It really is tremendously overwhelming. Four things that have kept me in school so far:
1) Taking a lot of time the spring and summer before I started school here setting up a support network and getting to know the people involved. Sure came in handy when I had three meltdowns the first week of class and was able to get help from people who already knew me and my background.
2) Getting a little computer notebook so that I didn't have to keep getting lost in buildings and between buildings looking for a computer lab that had computers with the programs that I needed for my homework installed on them. I spent the first six weeks of school wandering around like a lost puppy, having panic attacks, and ending up dropping one of my classes, so I wish I had bought the computer at the start.
3) I just bought the most inexpensive GPS I could find last week, and learned to set waypoints for all the important buildings. This is another item that would have saved me a lot of misery if I'd had it at the start of the semester. I still get lost inside buildings, but at least I can navigate around campus now.
4) I am able to drive, and it's a good thing, because it took only three horror-filled days for me to realize that I was incapable of using the bus service. I had to scrape up $105 for a parking pass, but it was SO worth it.
Oh yeah, and don't let anyone push you into anything that you don't want to do. I am still learning that just because I'm an Aspie does not mean I am completely unable to make decisions about my life.
Hope this helps. |
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lotuspuppy
Blue Jay
Joined: Jan 15, 2008
Age: 20
Posts: 89
Location: Washington DC
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| Posted: Wed Oct 28, 2009 11:32 pm Post subject: |
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| I'm an undergraduate now, and I am happy with college. Yes, the social environment is tough, but it's also insular. My college is in a city with great public transportation, and I have plenty of opportunities to leave campus. I am far happier studying off campus or doing volunteer work. |
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ottorocketforever
Blue Jay
Joined: Sep 29, 2009
Age: 28
Posts: 99
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| Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 12:03 am Post subject: |
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I find that, with experience, college became easier for me. For people with autism, changing your schema quickly, isn't really our modus operandi. I find it easier, because I am only taking one class, instead of trying to multi-task and budget my time between classes, because that's how the quality of work went down for me. Now, that I am only taking one, I'm just doing fine.  |
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Maddkow
Blue Jay
Joined: Sep 24, 2008
Age: 23
Posts: 91
Location: Orlando, FL
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| Posted: Thu Oct 29, 2009 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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I got to college...loved my English Comp classes (my professor at the time even had me on her list of favorites hehe), loved my Humanities. Hated the crap out of my math courses though. I never could stand studying for exams.... not to mention taking Speech 
I did my partying back in highschool (raves...no need to say more), so I've had it out of my system (yea..I've grown jaded). I haven't really met any "friends" so to speak; just a few acquaintances.
I'm hoping to get into my school's (UCF) Film program. If not, I'm going to switch to Theater. The constant rearranging of my current major - Digital Media - is beginning to annoy me.
Professors for the most part are pretty chill people. You'll definitely have a few batty/quirky/eccentric ones (I've always found them the best to learn from).
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Every morning, blow up a really big balloon. Then, with ear plugs over your ears, slowly let all the air out of the balloon, letting it make that high-pitched sound. Tell your neighbors its a science experiment if they complain. |
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seaweasel
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Joined: Jan 29, 2008
Posts: 68
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| Posted: Sun Nov 01, 2009 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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| I had a real hard time in college when it started in 2 months ago. it was my first time in school in 3 years. I dropped out of college in 3 weeks and tryed another school and that lasted 3 days. I am currently planning to go back in January. I am also trying to find a way to adapt to college. The only thing i liked about going to college was taking the commuter rail train in and out of everyday. |
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ruennsheng
Lions Fan!
Joined: Feb 05, 2009
Age: 19
Posts: 1028
Location: Singapore
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| Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 12:55 am Post subject: |
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Are there really no courses around the world that cater to your needs?
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Ex amicitia vita |
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beejay
Snowy Owl
Joined: Sep 12, 2009
Age: 29
Posts: 169
Location: Wilmington, North Carolina
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:03 am Post subject: |
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I fell flat on my face in college after breezing through high school: I got terribly depressed, stopped going to class and eventually had to leave. I made it through, but it took me 7.5 years to finish. I regret how bad things went in college, and I am happy that I get another chance starting in January. Plus, I'm going to actually learn a trade (chef) instead of getting a useless degree in political science like I did at UNC.
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My fellow Americans. As a young boy, I dreamed of being a baseball, but tonight I say, we must move forward, not backward, upward, not forward, and always twirling, twirling, twirling towards freedom. |
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ruennsheng
Lions Fan!
Joined: Feb 05, 2009
Age: 19
Posts: 1028
Location: Singapore
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| Posted: Wed Nov 04, 2009 5:27 am Post subject: |
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| beejay wrote: | | I fell flat on my face in college after breezing through high school: I got terribly depressed, stopped going to class and eventually had to leave. I made it through, but it took me 7.5 years to finish. I regret how bad things went in college, and I am happy that I get another chance starting in January. Plus, I'm going to actually learn a trade (chef) instead of getting a useless degree in political science like I did at UNC. |
This was me in the high school, but I'd 5 years though there. You were in UNC Chapel Hill? Oh dear, I might apply there. 
Hmm, I noted from summer school in my local college (actually NUS) that dorm life is stressful... classes are uninspiring at times... and there are so many projects... ARGH!!! Hmm, how to survive through college though I wonder...
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NeuroLyss
Emu Egg
Joined: Nov 07, 2009
Age: 21
Posts: 7
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| Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 3:11 pm Post subject: |
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I loved college because I really enjoy learning and being in school. I have graduaated and can't stand it, I am desperate to get into graduate school. That being said, I was not social at all. My best friend from high school and I moved into the dorm room together and beyond her I didn't socialize much at all. I never spoke to my suitemates except on ver rare occasions when it became necessary.
None of that bothered me though, which is a problem I am just starting to realize. I it was all about school (and work and research). I have one other best friend (another from high school) and was sort of in a relationship for a while, but that as far as my non- interest related soicalizing went (and at the lab and work I would still have great difficulty.
I would say it isn't fpr everyone. If you don't think you can handle it now then don't go, maybe try again when you feel ready. That said, there are great programs at many universities which will help accomodate your needs. I didn't go that route (didn't know I had AS) but that was because I really had no issues with school ( other than a little test anxiety). |
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heliocopters
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Joined: Aug 21, 2009
Age: 21
Posts: 63
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| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:16 am Post subject: |
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I didn't vote. I think it depends on the major you choose. I wouldn't say I'm having a blast but it's not horrible, and I also wouldn't say it's hard or easy. It's just sort of something I'm doing so I can get the degree and move on with my life. I think most aspies would really like college because they get to choose their own classes and how they want to divide up their time, but the classroom environment for me is something I dread. Learning for me is reading in my room and going to the library to check out a hundred books at once--it's not listening to my professor drone on about something I have little to no interest in. I'm required to take a whole bunch of art history courses for my major and gosh, THEY ARE BORING!!! I'm also going to school in the middle of nowhere, which I thought was going to be a great idea because I didn't want to go to big college in a big city with lots of people, but everyone is kind of crammed in this tiny town anyway, and college parties can be really obnoxious, especially at 3 AM when it's right next door.
Maybe if I had chosen a different school in a slightly less boring place I would be having a much better time.
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Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc: We gladly feast on those who would subdue us.
Not just pretty words.
- The Addams Family |
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heliocopters
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker
Joined: Aug 21, 2009
Age: 21
Posts: 63
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| Posted: Thu Nov 12, 2009 9:18 am Post subject: |
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I didn't vote. I think it depends on the major you choose. I wouldn't say I'm having a blast but it's not horrible, and I also wouldn't say it's hard or easy. It's just sort of something I'm doing so I can get the degree and move on with my life. I think most aspies would really like college because they get to choose their own classes and how they want to divide up their time, but the classroom environment for me is something I dread. Learning for me is reading in my room and going to the library to check out a hundred books at once--it's not listening to my professor drone on about something I have little to no interest in. I'm required to take a whole bunch of art history courses for my major and gosh, THEY ARE BORING!!! I'm also going to school in the middle of nowhere, which I thought was going to be a great idea because I didn't want to go to big college in a big city with lots of people, but everyone is kind of crammed in this tiny town anyway, and college parties can be really obnoxious, especially at 3 AM when it's right next door.
Maybe if I had chosen a different school in a slightly less boring place I would be having a much better time.
_________________
Sic gorgiamus allos subjectatos nunc: We gladly feast on those who would subdue us.
Not just pretty words.
- The Addams Family |
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musicislife
Toucan
Joined: Oct 09, 2008
Posts: 269
Location: whatever town, usa
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| Posted: Sat Nov 14, 2009 2:04 pm Post subject: |
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| LindsayLew wrote: | | maybe the thing is i cant take the SAT's so i cant go to any college that isnt community and the only one i know of is in austin and i would be placed in a program for disabled kids. i may be an aspie but i dont want to be labled disabled. i'm proud to scream from the rooftops I HAVE ASPERGER SYNDROME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but i dont want to be called disabled. and thats what going to college will mean for me. at least thats part of it. |
1. i never took the SATs, ACTs yes but no SATs. I know several people who didn't take either one and they got into really good public colleges that are not community colleges.
2. there is nothing wrong with community college. i'm going to a community college only a few miles up the road from my house - if it's nice enough, i can walk to class. the problem i see with that statement is being placed in a program for disabled kids. i'm pretty sure it's illegal to force someone into a program they don't want to be in, anyway, most colleges have plenty of programs of sorts that, even if you join, don't parade around showing off the fact that you're in there because you want or need a little extra help; believe me, i'm in two or three of those groups at my own school.
3. if you're trying to find a college closer to home try this site: http://www.uscollegesearch.org/
4. being an aspie is not a disability and i'm glad that you are proud of being an aspie. it isn't our problem when other people call us disabled, it's theirs.
good luck, happy college hunting and don't forget the biggest thing, HAVE FUN!!!!
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Dance like no one is watching. Sing like no one is listening. Love like you've never been hurt and live like it's heaven on Earth. -Mark Twain
If life gives you lemons, make grape juice, sit back and watch the world wonder how you did it. |
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