College was a mistake

Hi, I am sorry it’s so hard right now! You are clearly working very hard. It would be good if you could get some adjustments but it is very hard if you don’t know what to ask for. I’ve been in a similar situation where I know I struggle and need help and it could be related to being autistic but I can’t really pinpoint what the issue is. Could it be that part of the challenge is switching between tasks/topics? I’m just throwing that out there as it is something I realised is hard for me but it took me a while to figure out. It takes me a while to get into a topic/task and when I am I can go into deep focus, but this takes time . To switch to something else also takes time (sometimes over a day)- depending on how class times and assignment due dates are arranged, it can hamper me severely in my ability to get anything done… took me a while to figure out as at my previous university there was a lot of independent study and flexibility so I flourished… not sure if that may be something that affects you too?

I also think maybe you could make a case for getting extra time for assignments- it sounds like that could help and I think it is more than justified! 

I hope you can give yourself a bit of time to relax too- It is so easy to just go into constant working mode when you feel like there is just too much going on but in the long term it is not sustainable. 

I might struggle with switching tasks - I’m not sure. Mostly with things that I don’t find interesting, but sometimes I’ll want to do something but still can’t get into it. Like today there was a new Frozen short and I was discussing it online but only gave a couple short sentences, but hours later I randomly was able to write out paragraphs. I don’t know if it’s “inertia” or delayed processing or somthing else entirely 

I don’t have an official accommodation for extra time, but my teachers have been extra nice and given me extra time even when it’s against their own late policy. In some ways it’s nice but in other ways it’s makes it harder to do work because I just have more to do and it’s hard to think of what to start with. 

I might struggle with switching tasks - I’m not sure. Mostly with things that I don’t find interesting, but sometimes I’ll want to do something but still can’t get into it. Like today there was a new Frozen short and I was discussing it online but only gave a couple short sentences, but hours later I randomly was able to write out paragraphs. I don’t know if it’s “inertia” or delayed processing or somthing else entirely 

I don’t have an official accommodation for extra time, but my teachers have been extra nice and given me extra time even when it’s against their own late policy. In some ways it’s nice but in other ways it’s makes it harder to do work because I just have more to do and it’s hard to think of what to start with. 

You're WAY ahead of me in most respects! There's always a workaround....we just need to land it for ourselves.  Keep the faith sister!  Don't panic....and DEFO don't loose faith in yourself.

[Disambiguation = Yep = that's a "cut-and-paste" from me......to you.  TRUST YOURSELF.....even if you don't trust yourself....perhaps you may be able to trust (having viewed "me" for long enough here)......to know that I don't just  chuck out platitudes to everyone/anyone!  You're a special human - belief it - feel it - live it.

I sense that some of your "teachers" are also becoming aware of your "specialness" = why they are cutting you some slack!  Don't "takethepiss" = English phase meaning "don'ttake advantageoftheir acknowledgementofyour undoubted specialness".....and just focus on your "coping mechanisms" to make college life "doable."

Your chum

Num.

That’s positive that your teachers are understanding. I can relate to sometimes not being able to write at all and then sometimes I can write relatively easily- I used to think I just can’t write as I get these horrible blocks but I think it is often when I just haven’t fully processed the information yet and don’t know exactly what I want to say. Sometimes these things need to stew in my head for a while. Or when exhausted then nothing works.