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Re: My Duck Collection!🦆🩷
Tbf if you guys weren't able to I'd probably still figure out a way to make a mix duck myself 😂😂
Chloe234
2
Re: Recently diagnosed with ASD
Hello and welcome! I’ve also been recently diagnosed as autistic - only a few months ago. I’m also on a gap year and starting uni in September. There’s probably support you can access ready for uni if you ask the support people. I don’t really know much about other support we can access etc so I’m sorry about that.
Re: How do you make friends??? (At uni or just in general)
I've gotta agree, whilst I personally don't have autism, I'm someone who is quite introverted and quiet and so I was also nervous about not making friends, and just being sat on my own in seminars, lectures etc. However, what I soon realised is many people are in a similar position and probably feel just as nervous as I did, and so were nice and open with me too. It definitely helped me come out my shell and talk to new people over the first few weeks.
As for the autism group, whilst I can't speak on personal experience, it does sound like something that could help you. and as scary as it may feel, theres no harm in trying out attending to see what it's like. It could be that you meet a future best friend in there or somewhere else in university.
I feel like university has probably been, in my experience, the place with the most range of different people with different interests and things - in other words I feel like there are people for everyone.
I'm sure you'll do great at university when you start in September and I hope you settle in quicker than you expect and just enjoy the experience.
As for the autism group, whilst I can't speak on personal experience, it does sound like something that could help you. and as scary as it may feel, theres no harm in trying out attending to see what it's like. It could be that you meet a future best friend in there or somewhere else in university.
I feel like university has probably been, in my experience, the place with the most range of different people with different interests and things - in other words I feel like there are people for everyone.
I'm sure you'll do great at university when you start in September and I hope you settle in quicker than you expect and just enjoy the experience.
Re: How do you make friends??? (At uni or just in general)
Thats a very good question...
But seriously. If your uni is anything like mine, then you have to realise as soon as possible that people there are actually much nicer and willing to talk than it may seem, it took me over two years to realise, that so if theres one thing I wish I knew sooner it would be this!
If the autism group is also anything like mine, then it will be your best friend through uni! (Also wished I joined sooner lol). I didn't talk during the meetings, and a few other people didn't too. I mostly talked on their discord server and I felt very accepted anyway. The autistic community will understand whatever you're struggling with, whether its how to prepare for a presentation, or just what to make for breakfast haha. So I can't recommend joining enough, and remember theres no pressure for you to do anything or contribute in any way.
About making friends... yea I'm not an expert I'm sorry but I think its important to acklowledge that its going to be tough, especially for an autistic, socially-anxious individual who isn't experienced making friends (I'd understand). Its just something you slowly learn over time, but its important to be confident in yourself and trusting that you can do this! Just accept you are not good at it, and remember you are doing your best, help others underestand this too. And I'm sure you'll make friends in no time
Oh and btw, you will have some people leaving you sooner or later, its unavoidable. But that doesn't mean you're 'weird' or not 'worth it', it just means there's not really a connection between you two, and you should accept that and move on, NOT give up!
Take care and always remember we're here for you!
But seriously. If your uni is anything like mine, then you have to realise as soon as possible that people there are actually much nicer and willing to talk than it may seem, it took me over two years to realise, that so if theres one thing I wish I knew sooner it would be this!
If the autism group is also anything like mine, then it will be your best friend through uni! (Also wished I joined sooner lol). I didn't talk during the meetings, and a few other people didn't too. I mostly talked on their discord server and I felt very accepted anyway. The autistic community will understand whatever you're struggling with, whether its how to prepare for a presentation, or just what to make for breakfast haha. So I can't recommend joining enough, and remember theres no pressure for you to do anything or contribute in any way.
About making friends... yea I'm not an expert I'm sorry but I think its important to acklowledge that its going to be tough, especially for an autistic, socially-anxious individual who isn't experienced making friends (I'd understand). Its just something you slowly learn over time, but its important to be confident in yourself and trusting that you can do this! Just accept you are not good at it, and remember you are doing your best, help others underestand this too. And I'm sure you'll make friends in no time
Oh and btw, you will have some people leaving you sooner or later, its unavoidable. But that doesn't mean you're 'weird' or not 'worth it', it just means there's not really a connection between you two, and you should accept that and move on, NOT give up!
One last thing. I kind of relate to this, but its best to try not to please others in this way, it makes it worse for everyone. Be true about who you are and if someone doesnt accept that its their problem, and they're probably not a good friend to have anyway. But its hard to do I know, so if you end up doing this from time to time to make certain situations easier to handle then that's ok. Just try your best not to. Just be yourself as they sayAnonymousToe wrote: »I dont know if that sounds horrible, but I just mean I pretend to be interested in the same things they are, so they’ll accept me.
Take care and always remember we're here for you!