So, you find your way in here! Nice! I’m assuming that you know what ADHD is, but if you don’t read this first.
I’m 33-year-old mother with ADHD. I’m doing my bachelor’s degree in tourism at Lapland University of Applied Sciences. This is my second year and this time has been full of ups and downs. This blog post is not full of great tips on how you manage everything but more so, this post can give someone else hope that studying with ADHD is possible.
My ADHD
I got my diagnosis ten years. I had known since I was a teenager that I have ADHD. My big sister was diagnosed while I was a minor. After she told me what ADHD is, I experienced enlightenment. I’m like that too! However, I left the matter to the future. For almost a decade, I avoided the matter (as decent ADHD should be), but finally in 2012 I went to see a doctor. ADHD for girls was not yet as known as it is now. I’m not the type of ADHD whose behavior is outward. The chaos is bothering me more inside my head. In 2013, I received a diagnosis and medication that helped me experience a new enlightenment: do normal people feel like this? Able to take care of one thing at a time, does not forget everything, does not stray to do something without eating and drinking for many hours. I wasn’t stupid, I had ADHD all a long.
How ADHD appears in me?
ADHD appears in me as a brain fog. Best illustrated by the fact that a browser has hundreds of tabs open at once and you try to stay on the map for each one at the same time. I dive into my own thoughts and doesn’t hear what happens around me. I may immerse myself in my interests for months very intensely. This is why I know the basics of many languages.
However, in my view, this is a strength. If you want a answer on a topic I know about, you’re sure to get one. I’ve researched the subject as deeply as I can. You wouldn’t get as accurate answer elsewhere.
Why to study?
Studying had been in my mind for many years, but I didn’t know what would be the right field for me. My interests vary from month to month.
I decided to take a practical approach. I have worked in Rovaniemi in the restaurant and tourism industry since I was a teenager, so why would I deepen my knowledge in this field. I never thought that my intelligence wouldn’t be enough to do well in my studies.
My worries have been more about my ability to concentrate and get stuff done in time. I still trust that my desire to get things done on time will help me get through any course.
Do you still hesitate?
I heard a saying somewhere that without people with ADHD we would still be sitting by the fire using stones as tools.
We have a desire to learn, especially from our own area of interest, and a desire to show that we are doing well and even better than people with a normally functioning brain. If you are thinking about applying to study and are afraid that you will not succeed because of ADHD, then don’t let your fear overcome you, you will have survived a lot more. Help is also available and more information can be found here.
Apply to study and you will surprise and surpass yourself!
Or did you start to wonder do I have an ADHD too? You can get more information and do some tests in here.
If you want to know more about ADHD and don’t know where to start, just ask me. I will help you!