Published on 12, July, 2020
Ive been sick for over 2 weeks and still am (is getting sick often common in autism? I get sick a lot in the year). And last wensday, thursday, and friday I was very sick so I didnt go to school. Then the weekend. Then monday (yesterday) was a US national holiday, then today school was cancelled for the roads being icy.
Thats 7 days - 1 week - that I missed school. I had 16 missing assignments I had to cram in 3 days (the weekend and monday is when I worked on them).
I had issues with my dad, which is common, but then I stood up to him (almost blacked out from fear), and now this is the 3rd day that I havent had to go to his house.
I had some emotion struggles a few times.
But now that I sit here, I realise that this was probably the most stress-free week of my life. Like it was amazing. It probably shouldnt have been from the stuff I said, but man I feel good.
Every single day this week, I could be at home. I had no obligation to going to my dads house unexpectedly. I didnt have to be worn out from a day at school. I could do my home work at my own pace, and basically do what I pleased. I didnt just sit on the couch watching tv either. In fact I hadnt even used the tv till today. I was actually quite productive. I even did laundry and showered.
I had finished 16 assignments in 3 days, but had HOURS of time to myself. I was able to read books, research my special interests, just lay on the floor and imagine to my hearts content, nobody was around to bother me, the house was quiet...
But now im thinking about how tomarrow I have to go back to school. Its going to go back to overwhelm all day, and kids being rude and unpredictable.
I wish I didnt have to do school. Not like how school is at least. I want it to be like how it was this week. I would still have assignments and id still learn, but I could do it the way that works for me. I dont think normal school works for me mentally.
Wouldnt it be lovely if schools gave you the option for 'in person' school or 'at home' school. Im not talking about home-schooling or virtual school. Wait actually, what if school was where you go in and could be in smaller classes (like 8 kids), then the teacher would teach everyone and it could be more individualized. Then maybe like school could be less hours or maybe only be on monday or something, and then you would be given assignments to do at your own time the rest of the week that would be due friday. But all the other days, you would have the option to scheduale an online meet with a teacher if you were having trouble. Then friday you would go back and then the class would go over the assignments and reveiw and make sure everybody understood. Grades would be based on effort, not accuracy. And maybe you could even take classes that are more into your interests, instead of being forced to take a class that is really confusing and stressful to your brain. And maybe on weekends they could have an optional excursion type thing, they could go to the aquarium, or see different careers in action, maybe even just go shopping and learn how you can budget and figure out how to buy food for meals that are healthy and cheap.
Well, I dont know, Im just kind of saying random stuff. I just wish every week could be like the one I had.
I think probably many people who drop out of school, are only doing it because they feel like its too much or that it doesnt work well with how they are. I bet they would still love to learn though.
I know lots of people here struggled during school. Do you think certain changes would have made your experiance more bearable?
Glad to hear you had a good week, at least up to the point that you created this thread, and hope the rest of the week went OK and that you have recovered from your illness . It sounds like it was a good learning experience, in terms of understanding your triggers and the type of environment that helps you flourish. Maybe that is partly what school is about, forcing you to do loads of things you do not really want to, in the hope you might find your niche! Some of your ideal education system sounds like a good university, so you may be able to experience it soon - opportunity to focus on your favourite subject (well second favourite in your case, as I am not sure anyone is offering a degree in Frozen yet, though I have not checked all of the courses available), smaller student numbers in seminars and tutorials, emphasis on self-motivation and organising your own study time.
In answer to your question at the end, some of what would have made it more bearable at the time may have harmed my ability to cope with the world in the longer term, for example in terms of learning how to deal with people who are very different to me (unfortunately, avoidance is not always an option, particularly at work!). The main thing would have been to have teachers who dealt effectively with bullying.
InfinitePlanner said:Glad to hear you had a good week, at least up to the point that you created this thread, and hope the rest of the week went OK and that you have recovered from your illness
Well I ended up only have 2 days of school due to anouther snow day, which I was super happy about because I already was struggling being back. Im still a bit sick but I think im getting better so thats good
InfinitePlanner said:Some of your ideal education system sounds like a good university, so you may be able to experience it soon - opportunity to focus on your favourite subject (well second favourite in your case, as I am not sure anyone is offering a degree in Frozen yet, though I have not checked all of the courses available), smaller student numbers in seminars and tutorials, emphasis on self-motivation and organising your own study time.
If thats what uni is like then maybe it wouldnt be so bad. I was nervous to have to go one day because I thought it would be extended suffering haha
A FROZEN DEGREE WOULD BE A DREAM COME TRUE!!! I would probably actually die of excitement! I would love to be an Arendelle historian but I dont think there is any demand for one. There are 2 at Disney Worlds Frozen Sing-along, and they could really use some replacments. They had all their facts wrong (well not ALL but quite a few). It was supposed to be like that for comedy, but it bothered me anyway.
Excellent news that you are feeling a bit better.
There seem to be loads of options with universities these days, in terms of the type of environment, how much in-person teaching there is, etc, so it is all about finding what works best for you. But there is no obligation to go to one!
Now you have mentioned that the existence of a Frozen degree could result in your death, I feel duty bound to contact all universities to insist that they never create one, purely on health and safety grounds. However, I am sure you could lever Frozen into a dissertation somehow, for example looking at how fictional histories, such as that of Arendelle, may affect how people view the real world. My dissertation for my geography degree was on how the social and political values that Western films imposed on the American landscape evolved over time, so it is definitely possible to make it all about TV-watching!
I think it is wonderful how passionate you are about Frozen. I am jealous, as I am yet to find what my Frozen is. The search continues.