[scaphrax]

So, yeah, the title says it all really. Right now, i have 2 REALLY CLOSE friends, and maybe 4-5 normal friends. But the thing is, I managed to get these friends by luck really, I have been in the same school with them for over 8 years and they know that I have a disability and are fully aware about it, ( I have got achondroplasia, I dont produce growth hormones in my body so I am very small for my age ).

Whenever different people I never met look at me, they always look at me strangely, not just children but also the same aged people!!! I am just worried that the 18 year olds that I will encounter in my university campus will be the same. I always hear what people say, " there are more kind people in the world than unfriendly people ", but I just cant embrace that fact. I know you might say, " all of you are in the same boat" or " everyone is new to everyone in freshmans year" but i DUNNO!!!!! My sister has recently passed her finals in medicine in Manchester Uni, I asked her how did she make friends, she said the predicted, talking and getting involved ( she does not have my disability ) in stuff but she did say something that i think you would agree, " YOU have got to make the effort as well ". I know this, but even if i do, do you think my physical appearance will affect it?

[Andy16]

People who do not consider you friend-worthy because of your physical appearance are ones not worth bothering with.

I highly doubt you'll get any dislike at all at university. It's unfortunate that you will have to face up to peoples inital shock. However, the people worth getting to know will have sympathy for you, and that is something you should jump at. Show them that you're someone worth getting to know, and sure enough you'll get enough friends if you act in a generally positive manner, showing such a strong character by not letting your disability stopping you from having fun.

[umarrehman187]

no if your a good person ppl will see and like you....i lke you already...your my friend

[OU Student]

People at uni are generally more grown up and more accepting of difference / disability.

[babyjustin]

(Original post by scaphrax)
So, yeah, the title says it all really. Right now, i have 2 REALLY CLOSE friends, and maybe 4-5 normal friends. But the thing is, I managed to get these friends by luck really, I have been in the same school with them for over 8 years and they know that I have a disability and are fully aware about it, ( I have got achondroplasia, I dont produce growth hormones in my body so I am very small for my age ).

Whenever different people I never met look at me, they always look at me strangely, not just children but also the same aged people!!! I am just worried that the 18 year olds that I will encounter in my university campus will be the same. I always hear what people say, " there are more kind people in the world than unfriendly people ", but I just cant embrace that fact. I know you might say, " all of you are in the same boat" or " everyone is new to everyone in freshmans year" but i DUNNO!!!!! My sister has recently passed her finals in medicine in Manchester Uni, I asked her how did she make friends, she said the predicted, talking and getting involved ( she does not have my disability ) in stuff but she did say something that i think you would agree, " YOU have got to make the effort as well ". I know this, but even if i do, do you think my physical appearance will affect it?

If I was you I'd go to a smaller uni. Often the large city unis like Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham etc are full of unpredictable people and often are so large they'll make you feel like a ghost. Try a smaller uni like bath or something.

[Helsy]

I have a disability (but a social one rather than something you can see) and I managed to make a couple of friends. I was hard, because I'm not much of a chatty person who can socialise well, but I found people who did like me for me. And I'm pretty sure you will too. Easily. So what if you're smaller, if you like to do the things which other people do at uni, then you'll make tons of friends.

[Chad_Bronson]

(Original post by Helsy)
I have a disability (but a social one rather than something you can see) and I managed to make a couple of friends. I was hard, because I'm not much of a chatty person who can socialise well, but I found people who did like me for me. And I'm pretty sure you will too. Easily. So what if you're smaller, if you like to do the things which other people do at uni, then you'll make tons of friends.

If it's not too personal, may I enquire what the disability is?

To everyone - is it hard to socialise with people at University? I might be going up next year or the year after

[OU Student]

(Original post by Chad_Bronson)
To everyone - is it hard to socialise with people at University? I might be going up next year or the year after

I personally found it hard. But I don't really have an interest (Autistic) in that kind of thing.

[ThumbsUp]

from the way you seem on here you sound like a lovely person, id make friends with you. there are lots of people out there, like myself, who take the time out to find out the real you no matter how shy you are irrespective of what you look like!

[Luxray]

(Original post by scaphrax)
So, yeah, the title says it all really. Right now, i have 2 REALLY CLOSE friends, and maybe 4-5 normal friends. But the thing is, I managed to get these friends by luck really, I have been in the same school with them for over 8 years and they know that I have a disability and are fully aware about it, ( I have got achondroplasia, I dont produce growth hormones in my body so I am very small for my age ).

Whenever different people I never met look at me, they always look at me strangely, not just children but also the same aged people!!! I am just worried that the 18 year olds that I will encounter in my university campus will be the same. I always hear what people say, " there are more kind people in the world than unfriendly people ", but I just cant embrace that fact. I know you might say, " all of you are in the same boat" or " everyone is new to everyone in freshmans year" but i DUNNO!!!!! My sister has recently passed her finals in medicine in Manchester Uni, I asked her how did she make friends, she said the predicted, talking and getting involved ( she does not have my disability ) in stuff but she did say something that i think you would agree, " YOU have got to make the effort as well ". I know this, but even if i do, do you think my physical appearance will affect it?

It is going to be hard, a lot of people in university are somewhat shallow when it comes to making close friends so I do think your physical appearance will affect it. I want to give you my honest view. People will definitely be friendly to you but I think the barrier will come when its trying to make close friends. I do think if you open up and do make an effort eventually you'll find a great set of friends but it may take time.

[Chad_Bronson]

(Original post by ThumbsUp)
from the way you seem on here you sound like a lovely person, id make friends with you. there are lots of people out there, like myself, who take the time out to find out the real you no matter how shy you are irrespective of what you look like!

Amen

[Ryan_94]

Of course you can. There are loads of people who have been in similar circumstances and lead active fulfilling lives - often using their "disadvantageous" to their "advantage". I'm sure you have a very interesting insight and view of the world that is unique compared to most people, giving you something to offer society. Good luck.

[Helsy]

(Original post by Chad_Bronson)
If it's not too personal, may I enquire what the disability is?

To everyone - is it hard to socialise with people at University? I might be going up next year or the year after

(Original post by OU Student)
I personally found it hard. But I don't really have an interest (Autistic) in that kind of thing.

Basically what OU Student said. I have Asperger's Syndrome, so find social stuff difficult and to be honest, I just generally don't mind not doing it, prefer reading and movies and stuff. That's all.

[RobertWhite]

(Original post by scaphrax)
So, yeah, the title says it all really. Right now, i have 2 REALLY CLOSE friends, and maybe 4-5 normal friends. But the thing is, I managed to get these friends by luck really, I have been in the same school with them for over 8 years and they know that I have a disability and are fully aware about it, ( I have got achondroplasia, I dont produce growth hormones in my body so I am very small for my age ).

Whenever different people I never met look at me, they always look at me strangely, not just children but also the same aged people!!! I am just worried that the 18 year olds that I will encounter in my university campus will be the same. I always hear what people say, " there are more kind people in the world than unfriendly people ", but I just cant embrace that fact. I know you might say, " all of you are in the same boat" or " everyone is new to everyone in freshmans year" but i DUNNO!!!!! My sister has recently passed her finals in medicine in Manchester Uni, I asked her how did she make friends, she said the predicted, talking and getting involved ( she does not have my disability ) in stuff but she did say something that i think you would agree, " YOU have got to make the effort as well ". I know this, but even if i do, do you think my physical appearance will affect it?

I'm 5'4 and managed to make friends! You're probably smaller than that but no you will have no problem making friends. I'm quite shy but university is so different. People walk with disabled people on electric wheelchairs to classes down the road etc... people will engage with you, you just to respond!

[J.Nalbandian14]

I would be your friend anyway, are you at sixth form or university. I'm in year 12, 16 years old and 5'11


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[J.Nalbandian14]

I have a stutter that's the only thing, I dint know if it counts as a disability though. Yet I'm hoping to study Economics in the future


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

[faber niger]

(Original post by umarrehman187)
no if your a good person ppl will see and like you....i lke you already...your my friend

Good advice, but don't patronise the lad, you don't even know him.