Are 'all Uni's like this'?

[54isanopendoor]

Ds started Uni this autumn & is about to Suspend his studies sadly.
Many reasons inc at 'our' end (wrong accom, too rushed, not correct course etc)
But also very poor (no) support from Uni (he has ASD/Dyslexia/Clinical Anxiety).

He was on a Tech course but the Uni systems are poor, staff untrained / 'give up' (lecturers saying their own systems just 'dont work, never do, no point trying'.
The course was dry, the equipment old (er) & the Tutorials huge (120, broken down into 4 groups with 4th years leading them). So, move elsewhere is answer?

I'm hoping he will have a quiet year, a bit rest, a bit of travel, some volunteering then try again next Autumn. But he is very depressed about it (inevitably atm)

BUT: Ds is now of the opinion that Uni is just another 'sausage factory' & that the academic interest he wanted & sense of energy (even some 'fun'!) isn't to be found. I'm trying to keep his spirits up that that sort of experience is 'out there'.

@GladysHeeler Ds was at a (not very good) College last year where there was almost no support so he is quite aware that it's 'up to him' - I agree that puts them in a better position to start Uni than an amazingly supportive school.

@StarlightLime @gotomomo
He would qualify for extra time in exams, an ASD support person, a study skills support person / someone to help proof read if needed, a 'brain in hand' package which helps with things like dyslexia (a 'reading pen') & also with his auditory difficulties. He missed the Direct Entry Students Orientation Week & the Disabled Student support week as he was 'not on the list'.

the 'lectures avail prior to' was because they've contined this system since Covid. Only, they haven't, nor can you access after, or use the Questions system.

I agree with most of the comments here. If he really wants to go to university, help him not give up, because there will be a university out there that will be the right one for him.

That being said, none of what you say about his experience surprises me, those places he described exist too. You need to be very careful when you do your homework about where to go.

The WIWIKAU group on Facebook is good.

@RockGirl thank you (& fair comment, as all have been tbf)

I will go look at WIWIKAU - the one he chose 'should have' been good. It was on paper - but his experience (& that of his fellow college student on same course) has been v poor so I am interested in hearing 'anec-data' as well as GUniGuides.

Yes the -anec-data' is the most important. Forget the league tables, for starters they rely on data that does not affect undergraduates, for example, how 'good' the university is at research.

It sounds like you are looking for small classes, good student support, and a varied curriculum. I work somewhere like that (and is one of the many reasons I work there).

Hmm. Many people on our thread have SN children who are doing ok at various unis. Many MN'ers research which uni will suit their child's sn.

@Oblomov23 'Hmm' ? Er, We did ...
But when we opened the tin (experience) it wasn't what it said on the outside (our research)

Accepted. Then a transfer to another uni will hopefully work out better for him.

Oh we are just choosing a uni for asd DD on tech course, can you tell us the uni so we can avoid!! Or pm me

I think you should name and Shane @54isanopendoor

We will be in a similar position next year, @54isanopendoor . Could you possibly pm me too?

I worked at a London University and spent many hours conducting workshops for staff on Reasonable Adjustments as required under the law. The byword was that any adjustment made for the particular needs of one student would probably benefit all of them ie would translate into good practice. These included: providing the text of lectures either before/ after session; recording sessions; making sure PowerPoint presentations are legible; thinking about the font/colour of text.

Confidence wise can he get a job for now and keep busy? It’s hard when you step out of sync with mates who are still away on courses. Or get work experience in a related company? Anything to keep him motivated really

Yep would love to know what uni, we are in the same position for a start next year, all unis are saying amazing things about etc so would be good to know who is not following though