Is there ANYONE here, that doesnt have a degree? and is basically very average?

well done you

Hi

Well, to serve your curiosity: I struggled with mainstream education right up until dropping out of college; so, no degrees for me.

I was placed firmly on the spectrum 3 weeks ago and it is only just sinking in -why- I have struggled so much throughout my life: where my friends and family seem to have succeeded so contently, without the slightest little effort; in comparison to most of -my- days which are metaphorically uphill battles against the most irrational creatures on earth and their societal norms - watching their misguided governance of the world unfold before me in depressing, real-time news reports - leaving me very forlorn, however; I have digressed.

The best thing I did for myself, academically speaking, was (and still is) distance learning: you can learn in your comfort zone, where you can control your environment; so, there are hardly any inconsistencies to cause sensory distractions to your concentration, you can wear earphones, if you wish, or stop what you're doing to think about other topics that may stem from your train of thought.

Basically, distance learning is at your chosen pace and you are not wasting your time, as you might be, when surrounded by pesky humans. Through distance learning, in my mid 20s and early 30s, I managed to train up in AAT and CIMA accountancy qualifications.

Also, I have found that confidence is key to success in any worthy pursuit: so, just because you do not possess or have the means of acquiring the credit for knowledge (i.e. a degree or university placement), does not mean that you should not pursue that knowledge by other means; the evolution of ideas can come from humble beginnings, such as your curiosity.

I don't have a degree. And I think I might be a bit below average. 

I'm too average for my certs. So average it hurts. ;-)

Very late self-realisation and assessment myself too! I went complete decades thinking it might be bipolar (as i had witnessed with a former colleague), but doing absolutely nothing to really address the issue because it seemed that no one was ever going to willing endorse any of my psychic explorations. (That's life, kinda thing!) And they still don't want to know!

I suppose with me it is something to do with that recent fad tendency to say that you feel like an imposter. I don't really think I carry off 'The Groves of Academe' stuff at all well. In fact, it all seems so utterly bogus, in my case, that I'm rather fond of the expression, "Try taking the weight off your testimonials!". 

Not that I really want to intimidate anyone here, because it seems to me that most posters on this site are really quite convincing in their chosen manner of communication; and I still see a lot to appreciate in humanity; from supposed classicos to apparent higher-functioneers. I'm much happier dobbing along really; happier sharpening the pencils for others with sharper minds.

I've had my fair share of both academic and practical success, but have always managed to eventually lose the plot and go off on another tangent. There seems to be a great deal of ADD (not much H) with the dyspraxia, slow mental processing and poor social & physical coordination. There never really has been a proper plan, either. 

I also just about manage to get by with some degree of cheerfulness, adaptability and positivity.

Almost nobody in my entire extended family has a degree. Until the late 90s most people didn't, so it's still only a small fraction of people over 40-45.

I have friends with degrees and friends without, and one friend that's a professor at a leading university and another that's developed a cure for cancer. They're all nice people or they wouldn't be my friends, and they're all good at some things and less good at others. It's not a big thing.

(The one that cured cancer is also addicted to marijuana, but fortunately lives in a US state in which it's legal)

I never went to university or college after school, although I did stay on in Sixth Form to do A-levels which didn't go particularly well.

I never wanted to go away to uni, it always seemed like too big of a step for me. I've applied for several college and university courses over the years since, but I've always either dropped out early on or just not started at all.

I don't have a diagnosis at the moment, but I do wonder if having known earlier or having some relevant support might have made my education different.

People do occasionally comment that they don't believe I didn't go to uni because apparently I seem smart enough to have been. 

a degree does need intelligence but it also needs communication skills, social skills, and hardwork. Hard work ones i can speak about  are biology medicine physics maths chemistry.

Its a real slap in the face when u earn a degree and cant apply it. 

sh*t   sorry i completed my degree in a time when u got money to do it !

so nowadays add u need to be able to handle a big dept which i feel is completely unjustified for intelligent & poor people

i couldnt afford one now !

go for an apprenticeship instead   

Me. I have GCSEs in Englsh, Maths and Science and half an A-Level in Computing (I quit halfway through). I suspect you could earn a degree if you wanted to, and had the right support, though. Don't forget there are some degrees that are considerably easier than others such as ones in art, though of course on average, art graduates earn less than other graduates.