12/13/2025
This semester changed me.
There were days I questioned everything my ability, my place here, whether I was strong enough to keep going. Being an autistic college student means carrying an invisible weight into every classroom, every conversation, every expectation that wasn’t built with people like me in mind. Sometimes just existing in those spaces took everything I had.
And yet… I did more than survive.
I earned straight A’s. Not because it was easy, but because I refused to give up on myself even when my brain was loud with doubt, even when burnout sat heavy on my chest. Those grades represent late nights, sensory overload, tears, growth, and learning how to advocate for myself instead of shrinking.
I also became CRLA Level 1 tutoring certified, something that still feels surreal to say out loud. It means my way of thinking, my patience, my empathy things I was once told were “too much” or “not enough” are valuable.
I am deeply thankful for my boss, who took a chance on me when I needed someone to believe I was capable. You didn’t just give me a job you taught me how to navigate social situations with patience and kindness, how to read rooms without fear, and how to trust myself in spaces that once felt impossible. That guidance changed me more than you know, and it’s shaped who I’m becoming both academically and personally.
Autism is part of every step of this journey. It has made things harder, yes but it has also made my victories feel sacred. This semester is proof that growth doesn’t come from masking or pretending to be someone else. It comes from being supported, believed in, and brave enough to keep going.
I am proud of myself. And for the first time in a long time, I truly believe I belong. 💙
