Choosing a university

After going to several university open days my 19 year old Aspergers son has made his choice. I found his reasons interesting. I was suprised that major factors of choice was the quiet sleepy little town, the modern understated architecture, general peacefulness of the campus (corridors had sound duddening carpets), ceilings were relatively low, plenty of green space, and lots of fancy technology. The set talk by the professors, to me seemed garbled and exuberant as they enthused about the intricacies of computer science. I whispered to my son that they were clearly all nutcases. His eyes were bright and he had one of his rare smiles, and agreed with a resounding 'Yes!' Later, when talking with the lectueres/students we mentioned his aspergers, and they told him that he would 'fit right in.' They were all very welcoming and enthusiastic about their subject and the possibilities of the industry.

Other universities were more businesslike, with grand architecture, in busy cities,the staff a little more cool with a little too much emphasis on how many millions had just been spent on infrastructure. I guess all of them want his fees ultimately, but my son has chosen the quiet one (also a lot further down on the 'best unis' lists). It was also the last one we saw and considered as a possible insurance choice should be muck up his exams as he often does. He says, all he wants to do is learn and he thought it the best one for that, even if he got high grades.

Then, just a few days ago the uni announced that it was closing the campus down in 2016 and almagamating with their other campus in a busy city. This would all happen part way through his course there and the disruption might be tricky for my son. Having a rethink. I know it's just coincidence but why is nothing EVER straight forward for him when my other 2 sons (NT) just seem to sail through life? Smile

Parents
  • No, my son does not regard himself as disabled. He is not pro-active about seeking help, you are right about that. He would rather fit in with everyone else and be seen as just fine thank you. Sometimes he just needs his own quiet space. I can easily believe the 'going through the motions' of the official disabled help, it hasn't been that practical so far at school or college.

    Aberystwyth (I think) don't call disabled students disabled anymore. I think they are now called 'differently abled', though I guess there is no real change. His other choice of uni is Manchester Metropolitan, a massive student population in a small very busy space. They have been the only uni to send(email) my son useful information about their student support and how to apply for allowances and so forth. They also offer a big fat grant in the first year. My son is choosing his future uni on the contents and delivery of the course and not these other things (I guess he pretends that they are not relevant to him).

    I caught a headline in a local newspaper the other day that said Shrewsbury was going to get its own university. I don't know if this is linked with the other stuff going on with Staffordshire. There are even some courses going on at my son's current college in (rural) Shropshire that have Staffordshire university on their certificates. I cannot begin to understand this business.

    Thanks for finding the links and giving us tips for questions to ask.

Reply
  • No, my son does not regard himself as disabled. He is not pro-active about seeking help, you are right about that. He would rather fit in with everyone else and be seen as just fine thank you. Sometimes he just needs his own quiet space. I can easily believe the 'going through the motions' of the official disabled help, it hasn't been that practical so far at school or college.

    Aberystwyth (I think) don't call disabled students disabled anymore. I think they are now called 'differently abled', though I guess there is no real change. His other choice of uni is Manchester Metropolitan, a massive student population in a small very busy space. They have been the only uni to send(email) my son useful information about their student support and how to apply for allowances and so forth. They also offer a big fat grant in the first year. My son is choosing his future uni on the contents and delivery of the course and not these other things (I guess he pretends that they are not relevant to him).

    I caught a headline in a local newspaper the other day that said Shrewsbury was going to get its own university. I don't know if this is linked with the other stuff going on with Staffordshire. There are even some courses going on at my son's current college in (rural) Shropshire that have Staffordshire university on their certificates. I cannot begin to understand this business.

    Thanks for finding the links and giving us tips for questions to ask.

Children
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