By Lou Ward
University is scary for anyone at the beginning, but as a neurodivergent individual, it can be an ultimate struggle.
A study says 28 per cent of university students across the UK reportedly say they have symptoms of being neurodivergent, and 18 per cent are unsure.
University of Leicester student Jack Toseland said his experience in his first semester navigating a new life with autism was not easy.
He said: “When you have something like ADHD or autism, things become a lot harder; your social skills might not be as up to par as everyone else’s.
“You might have difficulty catching up on work and keeping up with all the things that are changing so quickly – that was certainly the case for me.
“I was worried that I would make no friends and be lonely all the time – not being naturally a party person, I was dreading Freshers’ Week. I just thought that if I didn’t go out, I would be missing out. From doing so, I had the opportunity to make friends.”
Jack is living in a flat of ten people, ten strangers, and found it hard living with new people, although he found he had something in common with one of them.
“One of my flatmates is also neurodivergent,” he said, “and we had many times where we have bonded over this.
“It took me a while before I properly made friends with many of my flatmates. It didn’t take long to realise I didn’t like some of them!
“I’d say that it’s difficult to keep up with the work that is set. As I’m taking quite an advanced and technical course (physics), it’s naturally going to be a lot of work.
“I sometimes find myself swamped with work and end up having to stay up until 11 or 12 at night to try and get it done.
“My advice to other neurodivergent people who start university would definitely be to just keep on top of things. Don’t let anything pile up. Find ways to focus, listening to music or use colours to engage your brain.
“Finding friends does take time, but it will happen. You don’t have to go out every night, or even Freshers. You can make friends through your course and societies.
“Lastly, enjoy uni, it’ll be some of the best times of your life and your first taste of freedom, so make the most of it!”
