Going to university is a nerve-wracking experience for everyone. There is the knowledge you
are often parting ways with old friends, familiar towns, your home and even your family.
Aside from this, there is the worry of making new friends, of wondering if you will find your
people- the most well-meaning comment of, ‘you meet your lifelong friends at uni can often
feel more pressuring than comforting. There is also the fear of academic standards- what if
you can’t do it? What if it’s too hard? And I don’t even want to mention the anxiety of
knowing most will be in a significant amount of debt after completing your course. People
with ASD will be dealing with all of these fears- and more. What if no one likes me? What if
I’m lonely for the next three years? Especially if high school/college/employment haven’t
always been the best experiences for autistic folk- it can make university seem even more
terrifying.

So, why go?

Because there is so much to see. So much to learn. And even for all the cynics, there are some
amazing people who are going to be so excited to meet you. You’ll get more freedom and
more space to immerse yourself in the subjects you love, and you won’t have to do it alone.
Family, and friends- they’re only a phone call/zoom call/text away, and Chichester has some
amazing support services for anyone who struggles. More than that- come because you can.
Because you are just as deserving and just as capable of a place here, you won’t be the first
autistic student, and you definitely won’t be the last. That’s what this guide is for; hopefully,
it’ll provide a few hints as you acclimate, shared knowledge from other autistic students who
had to find quiet spaces through trial and error- but this guide is proof. Proof people with
ASD can and do thrive at university, and there is no reason you can’t join the elite group of
those who study on the spectrum.

Induction Week

The first week of university is induction week, sometimes also known as ‘freshers’ and will
often be one of your first experiences at the uni. Before this, however, there is an ASD specific
induction day; where all applicants who have disclosed an Autism diagnosis are
invited to come to the uni.

Usually, there won’t be many other students on campus, so it won’t be especially busy- and I
would heartily recommend you go. I was nervous, and I wasn’t sure I would benefit at all
from a single day- but I was wrong. As a result of the ASD induction, I met other autistic
students who were going to be on my course, I heard from second and third years about their
experiences and got to meet those who ran many of the support services at Chichester. The
tours were definitely helpful, and it felt nice to know the next time I’d be returning to the
campus- it wouldn’t be new anymore. Mainly it was just a relief to see other students who
might be in a similar situation, especially if you’ll be on the same course!

After the ASD-specific day, perhaps a few weeks after, there is fresher’s week. On the
face of it, it can sound like a nightmare. A week centred on socialising, awkwardly trying to
make friends- and a good first impression- new lecturers giving out endless ice-breaker
activities and trying to get to grips with everything else. From moving into accommodation
to figuring out the bus timetable, or if you’re a commuting student- trying to find the best
train times/walking route. It’s a lot happening at once.

To start positively- a lot of students really enjoyed freshers, it gave them a chance to
start learning their way around and start making some good connections. There aren’t
lectures during this week, so there isn’t any academic pressure either. Instead, the focus is on
settling in, getting familiar with lecturers and coursemates, and the fresher’s fair. This is an
event which will run during this week where you will get the chance to meet different
societies and even grab a lot of freebies. It runs the whole day, and in 2023 there was a quiet
hour- an allocated slot for those who would be uncomfortable in the crowds but still wanted
to get involved.

However, for me and for a few other ASD students, it wasn’t so enjoyable.

Personally, I found it incredibly stressful and overwhelming, there were so many new faces
and new rooms and things to learn- but please know this is not representative of the uni
experience. It does become a lot calmer when lectures begin, and everyone seems to relax a
little. You can always step out of an activity or room if you’re feeling overwhelmed and
remember that the lecturers know everyone is going to be nervous. If at the end of the week,
you haven’t made many new friends- don’t panic. You might find it a lot easier to find those
connections when you can start conversations on the course/the reading etc. Similarly, I
know a lot of autistic students who made friends with flatmates, and through the societies
they joined. There is no rush to instantly find a best friend in the first week, especially when
it’s already stressful. Take it one day at a time and you will start feeling more at ease.
By the end of my first month, it felt like I’d been there for years. Things felt familiar,
I knew the way to campus and to my classes, I knew where the Costas café was and the quiet
spots to hide in for when you need a break. You will find your footing, but please don’t get
discouraged if you’re ready to pack it in halfway through induction week- it gets better.

List of Essentials

There are a million lists out there for what to bring if you’re moving out, from bedsheets to
saucepans, but what about for when you’re just trying to get through the day? Here’s a list
from both myself and other autistic students on what to bring with you! I’m sure you’ve
already found some good strategies which help you personally, but perhaps there will be
something on this list which will help!

• Earplugs- popular brands include ‘Vibes’ or ‘Loop’ and they are amazing. Whether
  you’re walking to class and all you can hear is disjointed, loud snippets from the
  conversation of nearby strangers, or if you’re in the library and someone a few
  cubicles down is typing loud enough to be heard from space- earplugs are your friend.
  (Links can be found further on in the guide!)
• Headphones/Earbuds- The more musical cousin to earplugs, these are ideal if you find
  drowning out the world with music to be helpful. Again, speaking personally, my
  headphones are never far from me, whether I’m commuting or walking between
  lectures, there is a certain comfort in knowing I can put them on and get swept up in a
  song for a few minutes.
• Comforting Object- University is frightening. It’s new and big and filled with people. Neurotypicals are often scared too, and I know many who carry something comforting around
  with them. This can be a little plushie you keep in your bag, a necklace or another piece of
  jewellery, comfortable socks, or a keyring from a beloved TV series/ film. Whatever brings you a sense of security, a rock of familiarity in a new river of ‘Newness’ is a good thing to keep close.
• Fidget- There are at least a thousand different types, from spinners to cubes to slimes
  and even puzzle balls. If they help you focus, then it might be a fun project to find the
  right one for you. However, if you want to use it in class, maybe choose a quiet fidget
  so as not to disturb anyone!
• A Snack and A Drink- This one might either sound incredibly obvious or ridiculous but
  bear with me. Especially in my first few weeks, I did not feel comfortable going
  into the canteen. I hated the noise and the smells, I had no idea how it worked and
  honestly, I was already too overwhelmed to want to attempt getting a handle on it. I
  am also the type to become completely immersed by an interest- only to eventually
  look up hours after starting and realise I haven’t eaten or drank anything in hours. It
  can really help to bring a water bottle with you (there are places to refill it all over
  campus), and also something small to nibble on during the day. Sometimes it can feel
  hard to eat or have much of an appetite if you’re anxious, but it’s so important to give
  yourself some energy. Even just bringing a couple of cereal bars with you can be
  good. It’s nice to have a quiet moment, sit somewhere alone and have a snack and a
  drink- just take a minute to relax before moving on.

Services Offered by the University

Advisors: Many trained advisors will be able to offer advice and guidance to
anyone diagnosed with a disability- whether it is physical or mental. Everything offered will
be personalised and due to the smaller size of the student population, they can provide
specific help, as well as act as signposts if they felt someone would benefit from accessing a
another support service.

Mentoring: Mentors will be there to help you with the social aspect of university. They will
also advocate for you. One mentor told me, ‘I will be your person’. If you are struggling with
the social element- perhaps you’re struggling with a coursemate, or are caught in a
misunderstanding with a lecturer, your mentor will help you navigate to the other side.
Study skills: Study Skills Advisors will help you with the work element of the university.
Whether reading through and providing feedback on essays, to helping you organise time
most effectively. Meetings with study skill advisors can be arranged face-to-face, or remotely
to allow for greater comfort and flexibility.

Wellbeing: If you are struggling with mental health problems, the wellbeing team are in place to help and support you.

University Nurses: They will be able to help if you start feeling physically unwell –
especially in dealing with the legendary ‘freshers flu’ (a common occurrence where a nasty
cold circulates during the first month of university. Not lethal, but very unpleasant.)
The links to the different services will be further on in the guide so you can read through everything
that is offered in your own time. The takeaway is this- whatever you are dealing with, there is always
someone you can talk to if you are struggling. You are not alone.

Disclosing Autism

Whether or not you feel comfortable in sharing your ASD diagnosis, is a personal choice and
decision unique to everyone on the spectrum. There are a lot of things to consider, whether
you’re disclosing to a friend or whether you’re disclosing a condition to the university.

Regarding the issue of disclosing in your personal life, I know some people who are more
than happy to be open about it – disclosing right away to anyone who may be a part of their
life. This does have many advantages, for one, it allows the people in your life to better
understand and hopefully support you. It might also feel a bit like relief- you’ve told them, so
there is less pressure to mask- it could make social interaction feel a little easier if everyone
knows. On the other hand, I’ve known many people with ASD who are not so comfortable
being open from the beginning. This can be for many reasons, and none of them are bad.
Speaking personally, I only ever disclose once I get the sense someone will be in my life for a
while. Partly this is to (hopefully) avoid any of the possible pitfalls of disclosure such as
ignorant comments or too many questions, and partly because I just don’t feel comfortable
sharing it straight away. However, this comes with its own problems, if people don’t know
I’m autistic, they will expect me to perform impossible feats such as understanding hints and
the elusive skill of ‘reading between the lines. I’ve found a few relaxed, often humorous
ways to express my ‘quirkiness’ without ever needing to disclose before I am ready.

– ‘Oh, please be as blunt as possible- I am the absolute worst at hints! It’ll save us both
a lot of pain if you tell me what part of this project I need to complete.’
– ‘I am actually not a huggy person.’
– ‘If I ever go too far in teasing/joking, please tell me straight away. I am not always the
best at seeing if I go too far.’
– ‘Can we get there early/a bit later? I’d like to avoid the crowds.’
– ‘I am just a picky eater!’
– ‘Sorry, I am such a fidget, would you like me to move?’

The above are just a few, casual examples of things you can say which will hopefully help
you out, without needing to be open about ASD. At this point, you’ve probably found your
own ways to communicate what you need, but hopefully the examples above might come in
handy someday! I was surprised about how much I could say, and how often people would
attribute it to being a little eccentric- if they thought about it at all! University is a big deal for
everyone, and most of the time, they’ll be thinking more about their next assignment, than
wondering about their new friend’s habits.

So how about disclosing to the university? Again, it is completely up to you. One of
the benefits of being open about any condition you have is that it allows the university to put
measures in place to help you. Lecturers can be made aware of any needs you might have, from
being able to step out of the room for a moment, or if you (like me) ask a thousand questions to
make sure you’ve understood the assignment. Disclosing won’t mean you are treated differently within your lectures; it just means you have access to support if you need it. Another consideration when it comes to deciding whether to disclose formally is the opportunity to apply for Disabled
Student Allowance (DSA). An independent service (so you don’t have to inform the university if you’d rather not, but still access DSA) which you can access through Student
Loan Company, if you are eligible, you could be given anything from new electronic equipment to mentoring and study skills sessions (paid for by DSA). The range of services offered by Chichester University is covered in another section, and speaking from personal experience, it is always better to be in a position where you can turn down help – than to desperately need it.

Self-Care

Attending university will definitely be an experience. There will be ups and downs (hopefully
more ups!) and adjusting to a whole new routine, with so many changes is a process.
Speaking personally, it took a couple of months to really feel at ease with wandering around
campus without checking a map every few steps! I am sure as you’re reading this, you will
already have plenty of self-care techniques you’ve developed- whether it’s knowing what
show to watch that always provides some comfort, or knowing there is little that can’t be
improved with a hot shower. However, in times when a lot feels like it’s changing, self-care
can fall further and further down the list of priorities. I am extremely guilty of doing this
myself- which often results in faster burnout and a whole host of other issues. I have found its
usually when I decide there is no time for self-care, which is when I normally need it the
most.

It can help to have a system, just to make sure you are taking care of yourself. This could be a
habit tracker, an app, setting reminders or even post-it notes around your space. Possible
things could include-

• Taking care of your physical health- moisturiser, showers/baths, joining a local GP (if
  you’re moving away from home), remembering to eat, drinking plenty of water – and
  if you are a fan of pampering sessions- schedule one every now and again!
  Assignments/exams/work is important at university, but to perform well, you need to
  be taking care of yourself.
• Keep an eye on screen time- I found I was socialising a lot more since I started uni,
  and while I’ve met some lovely friends, I also need a LOT of alone time. The ‘do not
  disturb’ settings on my phone really came in handy, as seeing notifications 24/7 was
  just too overwhelming. Make sure you are recharging, and don’t feel pressured to be
  active every day.
• Enjoy whatever brings you comfort, and remember that while things can feel very
  strange and unfamiliar, the same things which help you now, can still help you at uni.
  Beloved films, TV shows, books- all of them are staying the same and might help if
  you’re feeling a little adrift.

Useful Apps and Links

University Focussed-
Student Support Services
Map of Chichester Campus

Essentials –
Loop Earplugs
Vibes Earplugs
Self-Care Apps –
❖ Finch – A really cute app that helps encourage feelings of positivity and self-care as
you look after yourself, and a little virtual bird.
❖ Habit Tracker- A clean and simple daily planner and goal tracker.
❖ Notion- A notetaking/organisational tool which can be
customised and curated for individual needs. Includes
premade templates for habit trackers, to-do lists and
goals.
❖ Headspace- An app which can help develop mindfulness, as well as techniques to help
manage stress and anxiety. There are also features which can be used to promote
healthier sleep.
❖ Tangerine – Another self-care app which includes a mood journal, as well as a habit
tracker.

“I bought myself a set of Vibes earplugs
and now I wouldn’t be without them! I
tend to use them when its crowded, or
in the periods between lectures.
Definitely would recommend!”

A Current Student

“Staying organised really helps with
my anxiety, so starting a digital
planner was ideal as I could manage
it from my phone.”

A Current Student

In Summary- You Can Do This!

By now you’ve read through the whole guide (or maybe you skipped to the end, no
judgement) so you’ve glimpsed at the support Chichester can offer you. Maybe you’ve also
started thinking about your own list of essentials, or whether you are going to disclose your
autism.
I hope, regardless of all of that, the words of current students have helped. It can feel
isolating to know you are different, and frustrating to face more challenges than others- but at
least now you know other autistic students have found their feet. Going to university can feel
so overwhelming, but what really helped me, was knowing things are only new once. The
campus will become familiar, and you will find your own favourite quiet spots. Strangers
become coursemates, and some will even become friends.
The beginning of anything is a leap of faith, but hopefully now you know that others have
made that leap and have landed safely. Also, if you do find yourself struggling- there are so
many services at Chichester which will be waiting. The student population is smaller
compared to other universities, and this means you won’t just be a name on a list- the nurses,
mentors and study skill advisors will get to know YOU.
Whatever you decide, I hope this guide as helped in some way and, from everyone at
Chichester, we are all wishing you the very best.