Imagine waking up and going to class only to realize as it concludes that you were daydreaming the entire time. Then, you spend hours and hours on a single assignment and wind up utterly exhausted by the end of it. And to top it all off, when you finally try to go to sleep your brain suddenly becomes wide awake. Next thing you know, you have the sudden urge to spring out of bed and run a marathon, travel to Europe, look at videos of koalas, buy a cat, and ponder a career as a singer. When most people hear the term ADHD, they picture a rambunctious little boy who can’t sit still or pay attention to anything. However, this image ignores the broad array of people who have ADHD and the variety of ways in which ADHD can present itself among individuals. There is an attentive type and a hyperactive type, women often go undiagnosed, and the symptoms of ADHD are incredibly varied.
After having shown symptoms my entire life, I was diagnosed with inattentive type ADHD as a senior in high school. My diagnosis explained a lot and to be honest, it was quite a relief to now understand the reason behind my struggles. Just like any mental disorder, ADHD is one of those things that you can manage but it never fully goes away. Going to college is an adventure in itself, but with ADHD it becomes a nightmare.
So, what are some of the struggles of having ADHD while experiencing the additional struggles of college life? First, there’s the issue of time management. Despite having done well in school all my life, I realized the process I took to get there was by no means normal. In elementary school, one math assignment would take an insanely long time. By the time I got to college, it had only become worse. Second, problems like procrastination, the inability to focus, complete forgetfulness, and unbearable perfectionism are all extremely prevalent and difficult to overcome. Then, you add trouble falling asleep into the mix and everything becomes a vicious cycle. All of these problems combined make it feel impossible to accomplish even the smallest task.
Another major aspect of ADHD that isn’t talked about as much as it should be is the difficulty regulating emotions. I have always been extremely sensitive to criticism and have had strong emotional reactions to things. Having researched the effects of ADHD on emotions, it turns out that those with ADHD experience emotions much more intensely than those without! In fact, scientists are in the process of researching this phenomenon even more because many individuals with ADHD are stepping forth and claiming that the difficulty regulating emotions is one of the most debilitating symptoms of the disorder. Trying to balance school, work. clubs, and a social life while dealing with heightened emotional reactions is rough, and it can take a major toll on the ADHD brain. And while these symptoms I’ve listed are notable and exhausting, there are even more ADHD symptoms than these.
So, how does one survive college while managing their ADHD? The answer isn’t just medication, although that’s certainly beneficial! In fact, lifestyle changes are necessary for any college student with ADHD. And while these lifestyle changes are geared towards helping those with ADHD, they are also valuable to people without it! The first lifestyle change is to make a highly detailed schedule. This helps with time management problems that people with ADHD are much more likely to have. Sit down, thoroughly go through your schedule, prioritize what needs to get done first, set aside a specific time for each assignment, and make sure to write it down. It’s helpful to break things down rather than attempting to multitask. Have someone hide your phone, get a timer, eat a snack, and turn off Netflix – just do whatever you need to do to optimize your productivity (even though this is sometimes easier said than done)! It’s also important not to take on too much. College is filled with so many opportunities and it can feel impossible to not try and attempt everything. Choose just a few activities that matter the most to you, focus on those, and don’t be afraid to say “no” if you feel like you’re being overwhelmed. You do not have to “do it all” in order to be successful. Lastly, self-care is extremely important to help calm down your racing ADHD mind. Watch a movie, sit outside with a cup of coffee, listen to your favorite genre of music, and even try some meditation! By practicing self-care you’ll be able to focus more on productivity and eliminate those intense, unwanted emotions.
Having ADHD as a college student can definitely feel like an obstacle more often than not. However, it doesn’t have to be. I like to think of it as more of a gateway into many different possibilities. And quite honestly, I’ve found that there are so many unique qualities in those with ADHD that should be celebrated! There’s the quirkiness (even though the constant zoning out can be a bit awkward). Then there’s the resiliency and creativity. And let’s face it, talking to somebody whose mind is going at 100 miles an hour can make for some pretty interesting conversations! Additionally, recognize that ADHD is in no way keeping you from growing your abilities. It is not a limitation as to what you can achieve. Just this past year, I was given the opportunity for a secretary position in an organization that I’m involved with. The role required being proactive, organized, and punctual (all the things that I, and those with ADHD, are not good at). However, after receiving the position, I made it my goal to be successful in it. And it’s possible! It may take a little more effort, a little more patience, and a little more determination, but I promise you that it can be done!