Uni experiences?

Best parts were living in Greater London, so I could travel to places I like a lot easier than from home. And I was doing a course that I really enjoyed overall, as it was a creative course that let me make stuff with my hands.

The main worst part was my autism going undiagnosed and not knowing what I needed to make my uni experience easier on myself; I got so stressed from pushing forward through high anxiety that I had a full on autistic breakdown in third year and suffered from depression. But I was lucky in that there were people around me I could ask for support from to get me through the course.

Overall I would say my uni experience was worth it, as I came away with a lot of creative skills and a degree. But if I had to do it again I would definitely approach things differently knowing what my autism requires, and I'd ask for reasonable adjustments etc.

I did this, it helped a lot :) I got a tour too. There was a lot of green places and secluded sitting spots for me to eat lunch. There was also a dedicated quiet area to relax. I think that is very important. 

I returned to education at 28 and chose to do history at university. I LOVED the work, but I was so lonely. I didn't make friends :-/ I did a lot of societies and was even the representative of my department (and eventually faculty) with the student union. I am so proud I did that. 

I liked that universiry forced me to be around people (lectures and seminars). I used this as a method of exposure. I regret that from from second semester onwards until the end of university this summer, it was all work from home because of Covid. I feel cheated of the experience. Work from home suits me a hell of a lot better, but in my opinion that is where the problem is. I need to expose myself to become more comfortable in those settings.

No way!

how romantic :)

I am rubbish at sticking to my own schedule. I like having a fixed training schedule given to me that I have to follow, because it structures my day and then I fit the other things in around it.

I would definitely say uni was better than school.

No stupid uniform rules.

Students and staff socialise in pubs, drinking.

You can leave the premises at any time.  At school I got into a lot of trouble by going 'out' at lunchtime.

The uni libraries are much bigger and many are a place of refuge from other sociable students.

I have studied and worked at a number of universities, it is well worth finding out about type of course etc. Best go for a course that you would enjoy doing which also has good career prospects (universities are businesses that make a k lot of their money having people on their courses, so best get independent information about percentage of graduates going into decent graduate jobs).

There are a number of routes to a degree, after leaving school I studied full time at university for a degree. Later in life I decided to try to get into Computing, I studied an HNC in Computing part time, then did a further year full time to get an HND in Computing. Following that while working during the day, I did a top up degree, two nights a week for two years to get a computing BSc.

Can you go to a local university or do you have to leave home and study in another part of the country? If you have to move then accomodation (price, type etc) might be important. In my case I  found that having suitable accomodation was crucial. I lived in flats where people didn't get on with one another and so living there was unpleasant and anxiety making. Also lodgings (living with a family) can be a problem. I preferred living in pleasant university halls, where a student can opt in too things that they like and opt out of things that they don't like.  Also need to think about travel to and from the university each day, public transport, maybe expensive if you have to park a car on campus, some places have a high rate of bicycle thefts etc.

There is a university league table with some information here:

www.theguardian.com/.../the-best-uk-universities-2021-league-table

There maybe be other university guides with other information.

Might be useful to find out what services and help a university offers to people on the Autistic spectrum. I am sure that some universities offer better experience for students on the spectrum than others.

Looking back on balance I enjoyed being a student, but as I don't have a graduate level job, I haven't benefitted financially from doing my degrees.

yes Martin I would like that too, but there is no need to do it in RL, you can do it online

Tassimo, you and me both

See this is good. If you pick something you are interested in you will probably find like minded people. 

I wonder how things are different now. More stuff is going online.

To get an idea of UK universities, take a walk around a university campus and soak in the atmosphere.  Most buildings, such as student unions, refractories, are open access.

if I had money I would

Best - unlimited acess to valid information, there is to much fake and spam on internaet 

worst - teachers that are frauds, once they find out you are good, and you point a mistake in their work they will make it impossible for you to pass, I studied at University of Science and Technology at Cracow, no idea how it looks like in UK

I had a great time. I met lifelong friends there. I enjoyed the booze fuelled socialising and think I was very lucky to meet three of my best friends there. I lived out but not in halls. I went to uni at my nearest city from my parents. I did take a couple of years off before I went as I wasn't sure what I wanted to do. I now work in an area completely unrelated to my degree. I had no idea I could be on the spectrum when I was at uni. 

Lack of structure was always my issue; as I never had to work for a living. I'm only learning to cope now.

I stayed at the more sophisticated Halls, for older Students for second and final year. I didn't have enough confidence to live with others.

On reflection, being a loner in a rural setting meant that I couldn't cope in an urban environment; I was constantly moved due to complaints about me. Back then, I was a narcissist in denial.

I didn't mind it, personally. My anger is geared towards those who misled me about certain learning and career paths.

best bit --- is i met and married my partner for life at uni

Best parts: rowing, living away from my parents, freedom to choose my own lifestyle

Worst parts: lack of structure compared to school, academic struggles, struggled to make close friends, have to seek out your own support or no-one will notice you need it.