1. Take advantage of disability accommodations: This is extremely helpful for extra time on tests, figuring out which classes may be easiest with fulfilling math or science distributions (learned the hard way to only take easy classes first semester after withdrawing from a psychology class because I was failing), and if your school allows it, getting a single as a first-year since an incompatible roommate can make your life hell.
2. Set boundaries with roommate(s) and housing: A roommate relationship in most cases is as likely to result in a friendship as a random neighbor or co-worker. Rather than discuss personal hobbies and interests, discuss preferences like sleep and noise levels early on to establish boundaries. In the case of contract violations, alert your RA. If the RA isn’t helpful, talk to housing and figure out necessary steps for a room change, although it can be difficult. I deeply regret going home every weekend due to an incompatible roommate and unhelpful RA who gaslit me when I should’ve gone to housing until I found a safe, quiet room so I could’ve felt safer.
3. Life hacks for Time Management: I only discovered this last year, but parental controls are extremely helpful in limiting time on social media sites or doomscrolling. There are also app blockers in the App Store for social media platforms. This is crucial for being able to go to office hours and have a healthy sleep schedule.
4. Dealing with Rejection and Social Anxiety: If the first club isn’t a good match, I highly recommend seeking out new activities, as scary and discouraging as it may feel, and ACTUALLY going to meetings. Attend at least 3 meetings before deciding something isn’t the right fit. Approaching people is scary but gets easier as you practice it more. It takes 70 hours to go from an acquaintance to a friend, so don’t expect instant connection. If you don’t hit it off with your roommate or dorm neighbors, finding people you have more in common with is extra important.
Paola
I am 27 years old, from NY, and was only diagnosed with NVLD at 26. Despite all the social, emotional, and academic obstacles I’ve faced at a young age, thanks to supportive family and perseverance, I’ve managed to overcome 100% of the rough patches so far. I am grateful to have found the NVLD Project and am hoping to find a supportive community. I hope to make people feel less alone and to be someone my younger self would look up to. My passions include travel, music, writing, reading, and exploring new cultures. I am currently writing my first novel.
