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College Interviews

IrkaBlue

I have a BA in Politics & Sociology (ordinary). I left during my honours year (this year). I did so because of mental health issues that have been recurrent since high school. I have since also been put on the waiting list for an adult autism assessment.  

Should I be quite honest about why I left my degree? Why I applied for the lowest certification of Accountancy? When I would qualify for the HNC? 

I've never had an interview before. My university degree didn't require one. And I've only had a few unsuccessful work interviews. I mean disclosing I had mental health issues is honest and it has genuinely impacted my achievement in education. It might sound arrogant to say that I could've easily had a First Honours degree if not for the brain fog and depression. Even at my worst I still managed straight B's. And I was fighting through this swamp choking me up for years.

If prompted? Should I be honest and explain that I feel there have been mitigating circumstances. My GP has been encouraging me to openly disclose stuff. I get that there is a high possibility I will be assessed before commencing the course - or shortly after. Through knowing the min-average waiting times of my area.

I don't really know how to approach this, as although I just know (have almost always known) my brain wasn't typical in how it worked... I don't think it is appropriate to share this beyond with close family/friends who know what has being going on with me - I do not have a diagnosis as of yet, and it seems like I'm trying to get sympathy or make excuses?  I know I'm likely overthinking this and none of this will be relevant to the interview. But I always spend days/weeks running through all contingencies.

And tomorrow afternoon is the day.  I'm terrified and want to curl up under my covers and forget about it. Yet... I honestly really want to do this course. But I don't interview well, making eye contact hurts, and I can mumble... arghh.

Parents

  • Hi Irka

    Nice to learn that your interview was quite positive.

    Like you I try to wait until the written confirmation comes before celebration, but use the time until then in the knowledge that you did ok and said the right things.

    I think as people who are autistic, we do tend to worry too much about what others will think and that they will make negative judgements.  However, my experience of disclosing is quite the opposite of this.

    And don't forget that a lot of academics understand entiirely what autism is about.  Many of them have difficulties themselves in social understanding, they have one track minds and want to learn as much as possible about their specialist subject. 

    If i didn't know better I would say a lot of them were autistic too!

Reply

  • Hi Irka

    Nice to learn that your interview was quite positive.

    Like you I try to wait until the written confirmation comes before celebration, but use the time until then in the knowledge that you did ok and said the right things.

    I think as people who are autistic, we do tend to worry too much about what others will think and that they will make negative judgements.  However, my experience of disclosing is quite the opposite of this.

    And don't forget that a lot of academics understand entiirely what autism is about.  Many of them have difficulties themselves in social understanding, they have one track minds and want to learn as much as possible about their specialist subject. 

    If i didn't know better I would say a lot of them were autistic too!

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