Focus. Focus. Focus. I remind myself to focus several times a day. I'm not just a spacy person; I am one of many college students that suffers from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, otherwise known as ADHD. When I was diagnosed with ADHD in eighth grade, the doctors told me that I would likely grow out of the disorder by the time I reached my young adult years; evidently, they were wrong. If you, like me and so many others, are in your college years and struggle with ADHD, I am here to tell you that success can still come to you and you can still thrive in these difficult years. Here are some tips to get you through:
1. Always go to class
It is both a blessing and a curse that class is optional in college. When you struggle with ADHD, your motivation to get up and go to class might be particularly low in college. I have found that it is always beneficial to attend class, even when I don't really have to. Being in class gives you the opportunity to ask questions and absorb material in a way that is more physical than the painfully boring textbook (which you should always read, by the way).
2. Stay organized
It is so easy to lose your mind in all of the assignments, exams, essays, and everything else that college throws at you. In my own experience, having ADHD has definitely made keeping my school work straight a challege, and it is unlikely that I would survive college without going great lengths in order to stay organized. I keep a planner with me at all times, use the calendar on my smartphone often, and write important deadlines and events on a physical calendar hanging in my room. This helps me make sure that I don't forget anything and allows me to plan ahead for getting work done. It also helps to keep a tidy working space.
3. Use perscribed medication correctly
Most people with ADHD are perscribed some sort of medication to help with their symptoms. It is very important that if you are perscribed medication for ADHD, you use it as it is perscribed. Especially in college, it can be tempting to misuse medications in order to focus on studying or stay up late. Never sell your medications either, as they are for you and nobody else. Misusing ADHD medications can be extremely dangerous. Be sure to take your medication consistently; you will feel a distinct difference when you don't take it! I have an alarm set in the mornings to remind myself to take my medication.
4. Understand your symptoms
Every case of ADHD is different. There are many symptoms that people may experience such as mood swings, fidgeting, impulsivity, irritability, repetition of words or actions, and so on. When you are able to recognize what symptoms you experience, you can better control them and learn to deal with them effectively. I experience mood swings and sometimes struggle with speech, so I have learned to recognize when my mood is changing and how to stay calm and I always remind myself to think through what I am going to say before I say it so that I can communicate effectively. The most important thing that I think of pertaining to my symptoms is to "slow down."
5. Be real with yourself
It is so easy to get caught up in too many commitments and responsibilities while you're in college, especially when you have ADHD. It's okay to say "no" sometimes, even if your mind tells you that you should say "yes." Remember that you are only one person and you must take time for yourself. It is also easy to become discouraged when you fall a step behind or struggle to keep up with the pace of your classmates and professors. Remember that you are just as smart and capable as the next person, so read an extra page in the textbook or ask for help, and you will get caught up.
When you struggle with ADHD, college can be scary and sometimes seems impossible. I am living proof that you can excel in college, even with ADHD. You are not your disorder, and you can make it through this.
