I had a terrible time at Uni. As well as the actual noisy, busy environment of the university and autistic-unfriendly teaching practices, I was also having to work part-time in the evening. Eventually, I burned out and had to drop out. This was a long time ago and now, knowing about my ASD, I would be able to do things very differently.
But, back then, I just had to struggle along in ignorance and with zero support and an academic system that was completely autistic-unfriendly.
One aspect which really threw me was suddenly finding myself in Halls of Residence with lots of strangers. I was completely unprepared for the anxiety and distress of having to socialise and interact with so many people all in one place. And boy, were they noisy! I couldn't concentrate on my work in the evening.
In my second year I moved into a house with a group of friends, but by that time, I was already burning out. I look back on those years as some of the worst in my life. But, I can't really blame myself. Not entirely. If I'd had a diagnosis and some awareness of my sensory challenges and if the university had some autistic-friendly practices, I'm sure it would have been a very different experience.
The education was not set up to accommodate autistic students in the early nineties.
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 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.
