The power of a special interest

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?

Honestly, I love putting my headphones on and listening to music...more metal than anything else. It gives me a release to be able to dance around or bop my head/hands to the rhythm. I like not being able to hear the world around me. It's just me and my music for a few minutes.

I also don't learn for the sake of learning. I just might read or hear something new and interesting, and I too get fixated and want to find out everything I can about it. When I do, then I lose interest until I find the next one.

My special interest's do ebb and flow. I can get lost in them when learning a new one, much to the detriment of my partner because when im into it.......Im 100% into it.

Im currently well into learning crochett and now I've learned the stitches, it really helps me take my mind off things when following a pattern. Harry Potter is a banging film i get what you mean......you can easily get sucked into that universe

Same, I like organising my computer and digital spaces as well as my room, it just makes me feel a lot more calm about myself. Just having an element of order really helps.

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's a good special interest. I get fixated on certain facts I want to find out and can become hyper fixated on specific topics. But I can't just learn for the sake of learning. I don't have the motivation or concentration, although sometimes I'd like to.

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.

Good for you becoming a university student! I share your love of learning and I began studying for my first degree with the Open University when I was 35 -  I haven’t stopped studying since, although sadly, no longer with access to the academic resources available to enrolled students. I agree that special interests can super power us to academic achievement. I find that studying and researching feels like a rest for the brain. 

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!  

Do you only use online sources for learning?

me 100% - have a fairly new petrol car but I still do calcs on cost of ownership of an EV, do a bit of research for no real point.  My work is data and spreadsheets, yet I do these in my spare time too.  

Love lists - mostly on a to-do app and also on paper/whiteboard.  Think I'd possibly rather write something on a list than do it.  I used to love mind-mapping too

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?

Lists have helped me a lot too. I have my football history stats; lists of favourite films to watch; playlists and discographies for favourite music; lists of football grounds to visit and football programmes to collect. Applying that order and structure to life helps me to make sense of everything. Now that we're coming to the end of the football season I have to find something to do on Saturdays and Tuesday nights. In previous years I have become very lost and disorientated without the structure provided by the fixture list so I have to find an activity on those days until the football starts again. I know this sounds a bit sad but it works for me and keeps the anxiety under control.

Now I do like an excel spreadsheet and I do agree that if I'm making one, I can't spend hours on it and it will occupy my brain which has a calming effect. However, I can't just make them just because. I'd have to have a reason to make it. It'd need a purpose. And I don't often have need for one so it's a limiting strategy.

Great that they help you to relax though.

Hey Boika

My favourite class is Moto Gp (premier class) and also enjoy the following in no particular order.

Moto 3 (250 cc)

Moto 2 (765 cc)

World superbikes 

British superbikes 

I also (thanks to our old friend ISperg) watch a lot of Guy Martin stuff. I also watch documentaries, Red Bull tv do some great stuff on there called Inside Line.

I watch live at circuits in the Uk and Europe as well. 
My favourite Japanese rider atm is Ai Ogura who has just moved from the Moto 2 class to premier Gp, he has a great riding style. 

For me making lists/excel spreadsheets of things of interest calms me. I can spent hours putting stats/specifications of mountain bikes, car stereos, computers, hifi and home cinema stuff even if im not looking to buy something.

I find the research and numbers/stats calm me and relax me.

To be fair a dog would probably also really help. Or most animals to be fair. But I cant have pets so that one's a no go unfortunately.

Good question? If I’m highly anxious, the only way to calm things down is to pace around and go for a walk. I would follow this by watching a repeat of an old comedy such as ‘Dad’s Army’, ‘Mr Bean’ or ‘The Thin Blue Line’ and my dog would be at my side. After that, I would get stuck into my first love and special interest - archaeological research.