Re: Newbie, Afraid of University?

[Guest guest]

Alright, so more thorough searching brought up a lot of advice on

coping/relaxing/etc. Can I ask then, what kind of experience other people have

had with university? I am putting it off because I am afraid to be stuck in an

uncomfortable environment for so long again. I am also unsure that I will be

compatible with my current career choice, but that is typical teen stuff for the

most part. Should I put it off and try to work on my misophonia, or be brave and

take the plunge?

[Guest guest]

DO AS MUCH RESEARCH on what you are expected to do WHEN and WHERE and in what

CIRCUMSTANCES in order to accomplish work needed for the class. When I went to

K-State, I did'nt realize how many hours a day I ended up having to spend in

class to finish projects (plus, I am learning disabled, so it was worse for me).

And since the teacher would come an go, you never knew when she would be there

and give an announcment that you wouldn't hear because I was wearing headphones.

A perfect anti-misophonic situation. Needless to say, I didn't survive, and I

shouldn't have taken the plunge. Have everything figured out before you go in.

Also, if you apply for disability with the school and tell them you have a

sensitivity issue, you may be able to get a single dorm room; I was able to, and

all I have documentation for is ADHD.

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> To: Soundsensitivity

> Sent: Sunday, March 25, 2012 11:33 AM

> Subject: Re: Newbie, Afraid of University?

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> Alright, so more thorough searching brought up a lot of advice on

coping/relaxing/etc. Can I ask then, what kind of experience other people have

had with university? I am putting it off because I am afraid to be stuck in an

uncomfortable environment for so long again. I am also unsure that I will be

compatible with my current career choice, but that is typical teen stuff for the

most part. Should I put it off and try to work on my misophonia, or be brave and

take the plunge?

>

[Guest guest]

Hi!

I'm at uni (3rd year) at the moment and I am so glad I didn't put it off.

Sometimes things get quite bad and I think I should leave, but then I tell

myself that things would probably be worse if I were in a job I didn't like.

My course is reading based so I only have a few lectures and seminars a week (I

wear sound generators in them and I record everything so that if I'm unable to

concentrate I can listen back). I also went to see a psychiatrist and a

neurologist about the misophonia and they're currently trying to find a

solution. My psychiatrist wrote a note to give the disability adviser at uni,

this was a life saver! I can now sit the exams in a private room and I have

access to the assistive technology booths, which are sound proof!

I'm no longer in halls and I share a flat with two friends who don't know about

my misophonia. This can sometimes be tricky but I've got a radio/alarm clock

next to my door that goes on in the morning. I can also set it so that it turns

itself off an hour after I go to bed, this drowns out most cooking/computer

noises. Eating is not a problem as we have different schedules and we rarely eat

together, if we do I put music on and use my sound generators. If we have flat

meals I sometimes suggest ordering pizza as it doesn't involve cutlery!

Socialising can be a little tricky but with planning you can get around it. The

main problem is staying out late (i.e. sleeping 2 hours and then going to a

lecture). I don't do this if I know I'm going to be in a trigger situation the

next day as my misophonia is worse when I'm tired. I also exercise a lot and eat

as healthily as possible (no processed food, as little caffeine and alcohol as

possible, I try to stay away from cakes, sodas etc) this helps me feel more

relaxed (apparently meditation also helps a lot but I'm rubbish at it!)

Anyways, hope this helps with your decision! I think you should contact the

universities you want to apply to and talk to them about it. Also get a doctor's

note to back things up, I took the leaflet and the activation scale from the

misophonia UK website along with me. I think you should take the plunge! Most of

the time you can choose where you study and how, and you're not tied to anybody

so you can eat by yourself if you want or if people come round to yours you can

put music on. Personally I find uni much much easier to cope with than being at

home or at school.

Good luck with everything! Mika

[Guest guest]

A lot depends on which country you live in.

In Australia, most university students live outside campus (either with their

families or in privately rented accommodation) and commute each day to their

university. Few people here ever live in " college " . So misophonia at university

is typically a daytime problem in Australia.

In the US, I gather, it is common for students - especially in their first year

- to live on campus in shared rooms. So they can have misophonia problems on

campus 24/7, and not just 9 to 5. If you are trapped in a dorm room with a gum

chewer or a " sniffer " , then you might have no safe refuge like a single bedroom

at home.

> I'm at uni (3rd year) at the moment and I am so glad I didn't put it off.

Sometimes things get quite bad and I think I should leave, but then I tell

myself that things would probably be worse if I were in a job I didn't like.