"Executive Dysfunction is an often-overlooked source of the difficulties students have initiating, completing, and turning in their homework and class work."
As a student with mental illnesses that force me to have trouble with these executive functions, finals were terrifying. The papers and homework and studying to do loomed over me and, whether or not I had motivation and energy to do this work, I could not do it. I was terrified that the due date would roll around and I would have nothing to show for myself. I would sit at my computer looking at questions and prompts and blank screens and feel like I knew what I wanted or needed to say but I could not muster the energy the the capacity to think it through. Then my self doubt would get the best of me and I refused to believe I could overcome my dysfunctions and complete these imperative tasks.
Finals are over now. I'm on my way to the airport to see my family, and I'm proud of myself. College, especially with these important tests, is extraordinarily difficult when your everyday tasks are almost impossible to complete. I had to contact all of my teachers, ask for extensions, extra help and leniency.
Everybody tells you to talk to your professors if you need help, and I always thought I would be better than that. That I could do it alone. Facing finals with an executive dysfunction proved to me that speaking with my professors and letting them into my life was the best thing I've done for myself all semester.
