This structured PDF presentation (full lesson) is designed for individuals with ASD and those with social communication differences. It teaches practical time management and executive function strategies for managing the large amount of unstructured time that comes with university life, including why this is a significant shift from school, how to build a personal structure, and how to make tasks easier to start.

What is covered:

• What Is Unstructured Time — why university timetables leave far more free time than school did, and how to use it productively rather than as time to fill
• Why University Feels Different From School — the shift from a fully structured school day to a mostly self-directed university schedule
• Why This Can Be Harder for Individuals with ASD — including difficulty with time estimation, task initiation, and executive function
• The Universal Struggle — reassurance that managing free time is a widely shared challenge, not a unique difficulty
• What Struggling With Unstructured Time Can Look Like — recognising the signs before they affect routine and wellbeing
• Worked Examples — the free afternoon, and the gap between lectures
• What Support Universities Offer — study skills services, personal tutors, Disability Service mentoring, and structured study spaces
• Building a Personal Structure and Making Tasks Easier to Start — practical, executive-function-friendly strategies
• Practice Scenarios and Generalised Feedback — realistic time-management scenarios with feedback
• Practical Tips and Key Takeaways

Suitable for:

• Individuals with ASD and those with social communication differences aged 16+
• Students preparing for the transition to university or college, or currently studying
• 1:1 sessions or small group work
• SEN specialists, instructors, support workers, transition coordinators, and parents

Format: PDF presentation
Session time: Approximately 40 minutes

All content uses clear, literal, and neutral language throughout. Resources are universally applicable, with no political, ideological, or religious content.

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