I Have ASD and Freshers Week Terrified Me. Here’s What Actually Helped

University is a life-changing event, it can be a big adjustment, especially for those (like me) who are neurodivergent.  

I have ASD myself, and found the transition difficult from high school to university. For many neurodivergent people there is sometimes a reliance on routine, familiar company and places. As every fresher finds out, there is little routine or familiarity at the beginning of an academic year.  

Here are some of my top tips for keeping calm and making the most of your freshers experience at UofG.  

Reduce the unknowns.

A looming anxiety that hung over me before freshers week was the countless things I didn’t know: who my flat mates would be, where my classes were, whether I would enjoy freshers week, and how I would cope with it all. It felt really overwhelming. To tackle this, I did some basic research. Some things I couldn’t predict or control, but other things I could prepare for. Spending an afternoon reading up on your university, looking at maps, reading about other people’s uni experiences, and finding out what freshers week might involve can make you feel a whole lot more comfortable coming in.

Sleep is key.

Sleep is so important for everyone, especially those who are neurodivergent. Personally, if I don’t get enough sleep I can feel physically awful, and definitely not up for new experiences. During freshers week many people will throw away their sleep schedules in favour of going out every night. It may work for some people, but it’s also okay if it doesn’t work for you. If you know that late nights can make it harder to cope with new experiences, plan ahead and go on fewer nights out. If you’re not a clubbing person, still try to keep to a solid sleep schedule, you’ll be thankful when classes start.

Be brave and join societies!

Freshers week can feel very lonely at first, but university societies try to tackle this by putting on taster sessions. There’s no pressure to commit to anything and it’s a great opportunity to try a new hobby or go back to a sport you used to love, all the while getting out there and meeting other like-minded people. A friendly reminder, the first person you meet might not end up being your new best friend, but don’t give up. They’re out there somewhere.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help.

University is tough in so many ways, you may be trying to keep up with work and build a social circle whilst juggling living away from home for the first time.  My freshers week was full of so many ups and downs, and one thing that genuinely helped was reaching out and admitting when I needed a little help.  Whether it was asking my taller flat mates to reach the top shelf or signing up to the universities counselling service. Asking for help isn’t a weakness. It’s key to actually getting through it. 

Life is a team sport, not a solo sprint. 

Nobody’s freshers week is perfect, and that’s okay. Everyone is just trying to settle in, find their people, and work out where they fit. Take comfort in the fact that we’re all in this together as Troy Bolton once said.

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