The power of a special interest

My special interest is learning new things. It helps me concentrate my mind into something other than my anxiety! And I also learn stuff! So whenever I want to escape reality, I either read or watch a documentary/lecture/speech/etc about something new. I enjoy exploring articles on Google Scholar/etc. Reddit is also a place where I go to read something interesting. That is where I found out about this page yesterday, and now I'm here! Cool huh?

Do you only use online sources for learning?

No, I also read books. During the pandemic, I got really really bored and was feeling very overwhelmed. So I got myself into the entrance exams for the university and I succeeded. So now, I am also a university student while being 38. Studying for these exams helped me stay sane during the pandemic. That's the super power of special interests!  

This is a really interesting thread to come into. I have been studying all aspects of writing for many years, but have really struggled to know what to do next as I seem to get mental blocks when not actively engaged in a course. I frequently do IQ tests as a reminder my brain is still very much fuctioning. Would love to hear any thing you have learned to push past this.

I live in Greece! I'm studying Greek Philology and Linguistics, following the path of Special Education in order to enroll on an MA after that degree, that focuses on how neurodivergent minds with learning differences learn both their native and foreign languages, the problems they face and how they can be helped. I was inspired to study this after having worked with so many neurodivergent students who have very high IQ scores and can't use their abilities to succeed academically.

Brillaint I was 42 when I went to uni, I studied Medieval History, what are you studying? I'd love to go back and do a post grad an MA or something, but I can't afford it, I probably wouldn't be able to cope with all the online stuff, did you have to give two forms of photo ID to prove you live here and have a right to study?

I can only imagine how tough it is having to miss the classes and the support of the professor, all the more proof that your special interest is indeed your superpower. I hope you are finding everything you need for your studies available online or are able to get some support somewhere? 

I didn’t know I was autistic when I began studying with the Open University, but I did get a lot of support and I’m forever grateful. I went to a traditional university for my masters but most of it involved research abroad and it meant I spent some time working on my own. I didn’t get any extra support but by then I’d discovered how academia functioned. I had always struggled at school - I knew I was intelligent but I just couldn’t do the work. 

That is great! Yes, I feel the same way about studying and researching. You are lucky that you got into an Open University. I bet that you have had support during your studies. Unfortunately our Open University here in Greece doesn't offer subjects that interest me, so I go to a regular University without being able to really go to the classes. So, I study every subject without the support of the professor. It is very difficult, but still satisfying.

That is great! Yes, I feel the same way about studying and researching. You are lucky that you got into an Open University. I bet that you have had support during your studies. Unfortunately our Open University here in Greece doesn't offer subjects that interest me, so I go to a regular University without being able to really go to the classes. So, I study every subject without the support of the professor. It is very difficult, but still satisfying.

I can only imagine how tough it is having to miss the classes and the support of the professor, all the more proof that your special interest is indeed your superpower. I hope you are finding everything you need for your studies available online or are able to get some support somewhere? 

I didn’t know I was autistic when I began studying with the Open University, but I did get a lot of support and I’m forever grateful. I went to a traditional university for my masters but most of it involved research abroad and it meant I spent some time working on my own. I didn’t get any extra support but by then I’d discovered how academia functioned. I had always struggled at school - I knew I was intelligent but I just couldn’t do the work.