Sunday Soiree -- 22nd March 2026

@Mustang67 Yeah it 100% does reduce the stress for that. I wouldn’t survive if I was in an environment where people are not autistic

I am just happy that they now provide a place like this for autistic people to utilise and I am glad that you found them 😊

@Blackcloud

"I was finally able to lock-in and refine/edit my introduction draft on my lab report, so I'm really proud of myself for being able do that! "

Well done! 😍 i am really proud of you too! 🥰

"my lab report won't meet the distinction or high distinction standards, just like with every other assignment I did - and I'm fine with that."

I relate to this a lot too.

I found it really hard when i was at uni if i was not coping or "over it" (an assignment) that I *wanted* to do my best and *knew* i could do better if i was in a healthier place, but that at that point in time i needed to do what was *best for me* and that sometimes that was to submit something that was *good enough* even if i knew it *could* be better. 🙂. Its something i have also had to learn to accept and be realistic about - and look at rationally: whats the effects of *not* getting an HD for this assessment? Nothing other than not getting a 7.0 GPA that I don't need for anything?

Same as doing Transferred-Credits from other universities -- it meant that I was inelligble for a university/faculty award by 2 subjects short 😅. But thats Ok, because status/ego/recognition isnt important to me - as long as i can get a job and *then* prove my worth 😇🥰.

I wonder if this reflection is of interest to @creative_writer too (tagging just in case 🤗).

@Blackcloud just summed up my work-life 🤣.

"I wouldn’t survive if I was in an environment where people are not autistic."

@Mustang67

@AlwaysMyself @Blackcloud It really makes me happy to hear that there are places out there that take on autistic employees and that there are also places that have only autistic employees. It actually makes my heart sing that you both have an environment where you can feel comfortable to work in. I am so happy for you both.

I have an autistic great nephew, so it pleases me that he will be ok when he needs to find employment in the future.

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@AlwaysMyself wrote:

@Blackcloud

"I was finally able to lock-in and refine/edit my introduction draft on my lab report, so I'm really proud of myself for being able do that! "

Well done! 😍 i am really proud of you too! 🥰

"my lab report won't meet the distinction or high distinction standards, just like with every other assignment I did - and I'm fine with that."

I relate to this a lot too.

I found it really hard when i was at uni if i was not coping or "over it" (an assignment) that I *wanted* to do my best and *knew* i could do better if i was in a healthier place, but that at that point in time i needed to do what was *best for me* and that sometimes that was to submit something that was *good enough* even if i knew it *could* be better. 🙂. Its something i have also had to learn to accept and be realistic about - and look at rationally: whats the effects of *not* getting an HD for this assessment? Nothing other than not getting a 7.0 GPA that I don't need for anything?

Same as doing Transferred-Credits from other universities -- it meant that I was inelligble for a university/faculty award by 2 subjects short 😅. But thats Ok, because status/ego/recognition isnt important to me - as long as i can get a job and *then* prove my worth 😇🥰.

I wonder if this reflection is of interest to @creative_writer too (tagging just in case 🤗).

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@AlwaysMyself to be honest, I really feel that by the time I'll be completing/graduating from the degree which will be in years time, that I'll end up getting somewhere within the below average range for the overall GPA/WAM - maybe? 🫠

which means in that case, I can still apply for the graduate diploma of psychological sciences since that one only requires me to just complete the 3 year bachelor degree.

but yeah

@Mustang67

@Blackcloud Is there anything wrong with a GPA that is less than "average" as long as you pass the degree? (genuine question 🙂 )

A GPA of 4.0 or above is "passed" (noting that different uni's are a little different, and 3.5 can be consider Pass), and it sounds like you are on-track to pass?

I love that you know you can still go onto the Postgrad pathway through a Grad Dip or Psych Sciences even if you don't get a high GPA that (I am assuming - correct me if I am wrong! I would "ask" if it was real-time!) would instead allow direct-entry to a Masters-level psych degree? (or which qualification or accreditation-level is your end-goal?)

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@AlwaysMyself wrote:

@Blackcloud Is there anything wrong with a GPA that is less than "average" as long as you pass the degree? (genuine question 🙂 )

A GPA of 4.0 or above is "passed" (noting that different uni's are a little different, and 3.5 can be consider Pass), and it sounds like you are on-track to pass?

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@AlwaysMyself I guess I mean in the sense that if I wanna get into a postgraduate degree that requires me to get at least a minimum of 65% or higher overall from the level 2 and 3 psychology core units - meaning that for that, I will have to aim for some average to quite-decent percentages for the assessments in each of those level 2 and 3 core units. It does depend on what percentage each of the assessment/assignment is worth - but if an assessment/assignment is worth than anywhere higher than maybe like 40% at least, then thats kind of a big deal

I got recommended by at least 2 people I've spoken to (one including my support worker that suggested me this yesterday) if I can pursue a career as a researcher. my support worker said that she can see me doing that, and I kinda think so myself too as I told her that I don't know if I'd be able to do well in a role that requires me to interact with clients and having to come up with advice and stuff on the spot 🙂

ChatGPT told me that I can get into a grad dip of psychology (advanced) and then get into a relevant masters for research (like maybe/perhaps masters in philosophy?), or if I was to switch from Bachelor of Arts (psychology)/BA psych to Bachelor of Psychological Sciences at anytime, then I can try to aim to get into the honours version of that?

Ah, research! What a great idea @Blackcloud 😍. And I absolutely believe that a lot of the autistic traits can be so well suited and harnessed to excel in the right research environment. Especially monotropic focus! Lets work with our brains here! 😁

But I hear that getting through the diverse subjects and time pressures of the degree to get to the research degree can feel stressful and at time overwhelming. But you can take it slow 😊, and if you decide to change your mind later when you see a better pathway for you - that is always OK too!

(I worked at a university for a few years early on, and I liked the "no-nonsense" and reliable academics much better than the "fluffy" and unreliable ones lol. I know both types exist from my own experience.)

Masters by research and PhD appeals to me (I haven't done either) because you choose the topic and you are autonomous in it. 😍 I'm wondering if those factors may also resonate with you?

I am wondering what helps you feel more able to achieve the 65%+ scores in assessments that you expect will be required for this entry pathway?

I am wondering if there are modifications/adjustments that can be made (lifestyle, study supports, etc) that can help with this?

And remember - a lower grade on a single subject/unit doesn't significantly alter your GPA if the rest of them are doing above the "required" level. 🤗. Remember I missed an exam work 40%? I got 0/40 marks for it. 😂 and 52/100 for the unit overall. It didn't ruin anything because the rest of my work was above what I needed as a minimum for my aim.

If I knew a subject was going to be boring or difficult (or a lot of work!) I either paired it with an "easy" subject at the same time, or selected it to be one of the semester that I only did 1 subject during (so i could have more time/breaks whilst slogging through it).

PS - different universities have different pathways to research degrees. 🙂 I know when I worked at one (over 10 years ago), they changed their pathways so that there was a specific Masters course for research, but also possibly I recall a pathway from Honours into PhD too if someone achieved Honours (4th of Bachelor) in a science course.