Fantastic in some, rubbish in others.

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I excel in subjects to do with the brain, psychopharmacology and clinical medicine. Those are my special interests.

However I struggle with things I don't find fascinating.

I have a biochemistry module which I am trying for the third year in a row (first year was mentally rather unwell, second year severe migraines).

I find biochemistry very dull.

I really worry that I am not as intelligent as I have been told I am, because I'm having to try for a third time on biochemistry.

I know I was unwell for two years, but I just really worry that I am deteriorating in terms of intellectual functioning.

I can do extremely quick mental arithmetic, often producing an immediate answer to a maths question before I even realise how I got there, and the answer is correct 95% of the time.

I need support in doing "simple" things like shopping, banking, calling people, etc.

I'm getting really worried now.

Is it my autism that makes me excel in some areas, but be hopeless in others?

I think it is common. That's why they are known as our special interests. I know I have a hard time focusing on things I have little to no interest in. In order to keep my attention, you have to be doing something that ties in with my special interests. Otherwise, I will most likely turn away from you and just ignore or walk away. I don't think it has anything to do with a lack of intelligence. It's just the way our autistic/aspie brains process information each day.

Stress also impairs my thinking ability. I can think/learn much more quickly when I am relaxed.

If you are stressed about biochemistry, that could make it worse.

I did read your other post, and it sounds like your thinking problems are probably stress-related.

Is there any way you can get help with functioning in the university setting? Are you having trouble planning out your semester in terms of how much homework/studying needs to get done each week so you don't cram right before an exam? Do you need help knowing how to best prepare for an exam? Do you have trouble keeping track of deadlines?

I have trouble keeping track of deadlines myself and also doing too much extra work (doing assignments the way I would like instead of just the minimum of what is expected.) I had a lot of meltdowns in college, at least one in public when I forgot about a test I had to take. It wasn't even that big of a deal at the time, but it was the "last straw" and I completely fell apart. I was such a mess, I skipped that class and my friend told my teacher that I was basically a mental mess that day. I had a very kind teacher who let me retake it on a different day.

I had similar problems in college and still do on my job (I now work as a university professor). It is very hard for me to stay focused on reading something I am not interested in. That usually means textbooks. My ability to stay focused can be tough sometimes even with things I am interested in. I thought at one point that I might have ADHD (still might) but am wondering instead whether that is a symptom of Asperger's. Haven't found a solution to it yet. Luckily I was able to get through college and graduate school, but I didn't have a very tough major either.