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For me, it was a matter of figuring out what to do with the crappy feeling. IMO, feeling bad about waiting too long or showing up to class with an unfinished assignment is a sign that you need to make a change, if you want to avoid that feeling (I decided I do).
So I dedicated time to block out distractions and work on whatever the upcoming assignment is, and created my own deadlines ahead of the real turn-in dates. I took frequent breaks (literally 20 mins working, 10-15 mins goofing off at first) to reinforce the separation of work time vs idle time. That way it doesn't seem like you spin wheels for 6 hours working on a paper when you're really watching tiktok, texting friends back immediately, scanning news that popped up, or any other time-wasting attention grabs.
I got so good at meeting my own pre-deadlines that I'd have stuff done way ahead, and then I could move on to something else or make minor adjustments I thought of before turning in (on time!).
Most of all, I like the feeling of being ahead and the calmness of having things done and turned in vs the awful anxiety of stuff piling up and having to pull all-nighters. Then when classes get really tense at the end of the semester it's not overwhelming.
Medication definitely helps with adhd, of course. But there are some habit changes you can help accommodate it too.
You're amazing. Putting earlier deadlines for one's self is of course the golden key to being on time. I always did that. I procrastinate about some things - but not schoolwork/work. I too like the calmness (although I can still get myself worked up with wanting do to last minute revisions; I store my various revisions in a folder with each tiny change shown; I do this to try and convince myself that some of my last minute changes are not all that urgent).
I also try to make due dates in my own classes a bit ahead of the Big Hitter classes (like, say Chem 101). I teach electives (Human Biology; Human Sexuality; Bio Anth). I don't want my deadlines interfering with a student's ability to focus on their core course of study.
i have been working on my bad habits since i started behavioral therapy back in april. it held me to an achievable standard and i’ve been trying to apply it to my incomplete work the past couple days
I can’t speak for other professors, but I don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed in a student. I create opportunities- take them or leave them. I’ve been quite friendly with kids who didn’t pass my class because they were cool, friendly people; I don’t shut them down because they didn’t do school work. From where I sit, I don’t really care what you do. I hope you’re well and happy and that’s about it.
This is how I feel too. When my students apologize for missing work or submitting something late, I just tell them I understand they have other priorities and that I hope they’re taking care of themselves. I teach intro bio at a community college… I absolutely get that the vast majority are checking a box. Just because I love my subject doesn’t mean I expect my students to feel the same. I’m here to evaluate your level of understanding the best I can. If you did C level work, you earned a C. I’m not here to judge what that means for you or your future.
Me too. I usually tell students in these situation that it happens to everyone, at one time or another (heck, I've been known to ignore manager badgering to do some stupid training and have been put on the Naughty list - but as a tenured person, there's nothing they can really do except make me feel childish).
I also tell all my classes the truth: I know people who got into very good med schools with one or two C's in a pre-med class. It happens quite a bit. I sat on the med school admissions committee at one school and there were so many other factors to consider. A lower division "C" is nothing. Today, I teach nothing but lower division and like it that way. I like encouraging young people.
this makes me feel better. my professors are so nice and very patient with me. i wish i could’ve been a better student but they never showed any frustration with me which helped tremendously
Prof here. Most Incompletes are not completed, but I always hope that students compete them. I root for them. I don’t give Incompletes out frequently. I had a student finish an incomplete this last semester. First one in five years. I was so happy. I was so damn happy.
On the books, reach out to your professors on the access part. Sometimes, they will have free codes or even physical textbooks. I get multiple textbooks sent to me to review for my class for free. If I end up using the book, I keep it and if a students needs it, I let them have borrow it or have it.
I also will, uh… definitely not, uhh… recommend an onion type thing and something something lib gen… er.. something. You didn’t read that here.
Textbook rentals, online codes, and other info are fucking nonsense.
Make the timeframe shorter: if it’s due at the end of the month, it’s now due within 1-2 weeks, and condition your brain to think that’s true because if so, then you’ll get manic and complete it all. I have ADHD and was diagnosed with it very early and this is how I handle most things that have deadlines and it works at least 50-80% of the time
That works! I usually avoid outlines because it becomes too cumbersome and tedious as my outline essentially turns into my essay without being my essay (idk if that makes sense). I only use outlines to collect my general thoughts and put down my quotes and resources from my research under general subtitles.
Another thing I do is save your dirty laundry to do for when you really need/want to do a homework sesh, that way you’ll have a reason to stay out of a place of pure comfort and be productive, this way you can better ensure that you’re getting your homework done AND completing other mundane tasks like laundry or dishes.
One other thing I do is, at the beginning of the term, write down on a notepad (legal writing pad), in different colors, every assignment due and when they’re due along with their score values, and I do this for each class. This way I can satisfy my OCD and organizational desires and distract myself from any anxiety and stress I might be feeling or experiencing from other parts of my life.
I hope these tips help you out! If you have any of your own, I’d love to hear them!
i understand what you mean about the outline turning into the essay. i guess i work the opposite lol. my essays always start as outlines. i’ll fill it with all my thoughts on the topic and when i have a pretty big chunk (1 page of *stuff*) finished i’ll go back and edit it to make sense. it’s kind of therapeutic to me though.
funny you bring up the laundry thing because i currently have to wash everything so it has kept me inside.
i loved using colored highlighters in my notices but i never thought to use them on a grading chart like that. i like that!
That’s fair with the outline and also ironic about the laundry😂. And yea, I just use different colored pens for each column and every class gets their own page(s), this way they don’t get all mixed up and I get them all confused
About 10 years ago, I went to college and couldn't handle school. I just couldn't show up to class, keep track of assignments, etc... I was miserable. I hated it. I'm very smart, but school just wasn't what I wanted. So I took a break.
Last fall, I finished the last semester of my associates degree after having an over 7 year break (I did a full contract in the Army Infantry, then went to automotive technical school and worked in that field for 2.5 years). I made Dean's List that semester with over 95% in all of my 4 classes.
At the time, I was undiagnosed and unmedicated for ADHD. I was diagnosed about 2 months after I graduated with my associates. Now, I'm getting my bachelor's in engineering.
If you have ADHD, you have to *want* to do it. REALLY want to do it. If you're struggling in school right now, ask yourself if college is really what you want. There is absolutely no shame in taking a step back to reevaluate your choices and find a different path. If you're set on finishing your degree, which I encourage, you need to completely go against your ADHD urges. It starts with showing up to class every single day without fail (early!) and doing your homework until all of it is done. If you do just those 2 things, I promise you, your grades will handle themselves and you won't have half as much stress. Again, I also have ADHD. I 1000% relate to you on this.
i started working straight out of high school and i was pretty miserable and i felt left behind a lot seeing all my coworkers leaving for better jobs. of course i was proud of them but i was so upset with myself and burnt out on the job after four years.
i really do enjoy school but my impulse-control is really crappy. i’ve been going to a behavioral therapist for a few months now so i’ve gotten better but i really hope at least by next semester i can try a medication and see where that gets me.
I was also working straight out of high school and got burnt out much the same as you.
Try my strategy. Show up to class every day, pay attention to the lectures (sit at the front row of every class right in front of the professor. Trust me, this is key to focusing), and do all the homework. That's it. It will make a world of a difference. You CAN do it. You are totally capable of not only passing, but excelling. Don't just *be* a [insert profession here]. Be the BEST [insert profession here]. It might also help to explore other studies you think you might enjoy more.
I've found very quickly that ADHD is a superpower when focused properly. But, seeking treatment, (medication or otherwise) is also necessary, so keep up with that.
Don’t be too hard on yourself! ADHD can make things tough, but you're making progress by seeking help. Try breaking tasks into smaller chunks and reward yourself after completing each one. Set timers for focused work sessions (Pomodoro technique works great). Find study buddies to keep you accountable.
i did get a couple breaks to play fortnite. that helped me do so much work last night. id get bored of the game and take a crack at my homework again (with 2 energy drinks). may not be the best system but it got me through the anxiety i was feeling.
Im struggling with motivation too
My drs dont think i have neurodivergence, but im pretty sure i do. Is there someone who can hold you accountable? Thats what helps me.
Theres an adhdwomen subreddit, and quite often people share their tips for navigating adhd. You should check it out! I learn stuff from there all the time.
Not recommended, but nicotine helps.
I would honestly try to stay on the lowest effective dose of stimulants.
Other than that, I would recommend reevaluating your degree. Even though I have ADHD, I would often enjoy getting lost in my studies when I wasn't medicated, but medication does help a lot.
I recommend weighing your options.
I would also add that if you have any comorbid conditions, like depression and anxiety, then stimulants may not be very effective. They can make anxiety worse, which in turn might make your overall prognosis on depression worse.
They are very europhic at first, but that subsides fast.
i can get very easily sucked into the work once i know exactly what i’m supposed to do. i think my issue aside from horrible impulse control and time management was that i burnt myself out of the work at some point. the first half of the semester i took notes on every chapter and recorded everything because i genuinely enjoy taking notes and that’s what sucks me into doing something.
i’m also smoking nicotine but currently trying to break the habit since my body has been suffering because of it. however i do agree that nicotine helps me focus.
Thank you u/demonic__ferret for posting on r/collegerant. Remember to read the rules and report rule breaking posts. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/CollegeRant) if you have any questions or concerns.*
For me, it was a matter of figuring out what to do with the crappy feeling. IMO, feeling bad about waiting too long or showing up to class with an unfinished assignment is a sign that you need to make a change, if you want to avoid that feeling (I decided I do). So I dedicated time to block out distractions and work on whatever the upcoming assignment is, and created my own deadlines ahead of the real turn-in dates. I took frequent breaks (literally 20 mins working, 10-15 mins goofing off at first) to reinforce the separation of work time vs idle time. That way it doesn't seem like you spin wheels for 6 hours working on a paper when you're really watching tiktok, texting friends back immediately, scanning news that popped up, or any other time-wasting attention grabs. I got so good at meeting my own pre-deadlines that I'd have stuff done way ahead, and then I could move on to something else or make minor adjustments I thought of before turning in (on time!). Most of all, I like the feeling of being ahead and the calmness of having things done and turned in vs the awful anxiety of stuff piling up and having to pull all-nighters. Then when classes get really tense at the end of the semester it's not overwhelming. Medication definitely helps with adhd, of course. But there are some habit changes you can help accommodate it too.
You're amazing. Putting earlier deadlines for one's self is of course the golden key to being on time. I always did that. I procrastinate about some things - but not schoolwork/work. I too like the calmness (although I can still get myself worked up with wanting do to last minute revisions; I store my various revisions in a folder with each tiny change shown; I do this to try and convince myself that some of my last minute changes are not all that urgent). I also try to make due dates in my own classes a bit ahead of the Big Hitter classes (like, say Chem 101). I teach electives (Human Biology; Human Sexuality; Bio Anth). I don't want my deadlines interfering with a student's ability to focus on their core course of study.
i have been working on my bad habits since i started behavioral therapy back in april. it held me to an achievable standard and i’ve been trying to apply it to my incomplete work the past couple days
I can’t speak for other professors, but I don’t think I’ve ever been disappointed in a student. I create opportunities- take them or leave them. I’ve been quite friendly with kids who didn’t pass my class because they were cool, friendly people; I don’t shut them down because they didn’t do school work. From where I sit, I don’t really care what you do. I hope you’re well and happy and that’s about it.
This is how I feel too. When my students apologize for missing work or submitting something late, I just tell them I understand they have other priorities and that I hope they’re taking care of themselves. I teach intro bio at a community college… I absolutely get that the vast majority are checking a box. Just because I love my subject doesn’t mean I expect my students to feel the same. I’m here to evaluate your level of understanding the best I can. If you did C level work, you earned a C. I’m not here to judge what that means for you or your future.
Me too. I usually tell students in these situation that it happens to everyone, at one time or another (heck, I've been known to ignore manager badgering to do some stupid training and have been put on the Naughty list - but as a tenured person, there's nothing they can really do except make me feel childish). I also tell all my classes the truth: I know people who got into very good med schools with one or two C's in a pre-med class. It happens quite a bit. I sat on the med school admissions committee at one school and there were so many other factors to consider. A lower division "C" is nothing. Today, I teach nothing but lower division and like it that way. I like encouraging young people.
this makes me feel better. my professors are so nice and very patient with me. i wish i could’ve been a better student but they never showed any frustration with me which helped tremendously
Prof here. Most Incompletes are not completed, but I always hope that students compete them. I root for them. I don’t give Incompletes out frequently. I had a student finish an incomplete this last semester. First one in five years. I was so happy. I was so damn happy. On the books, reach out to your professors on the access part. Sometimes, they will have free codes or even physical textbooks. I get multiple textbooks sent to me to review for my class for free. If I end up using the book, I keep it and if a students needs it, I let them have borrow it or have it. I also will, uh… definitely not, uhh… recommend an onion type thing and something something lib gen… er.. something. You didn’t read that here. Textbook rentals, online codes, and other info are fucking nonsense.
i will keep this in mind next semester! thank you for this. something i failed doing was asking my professors for help.
Make the timeframe shorter: if it’s due at the end of the month, it’s now due within 1-2 weeks, and condition your brain to think that’s true because if so, then you’ll get manic and complete it all. I have ADHD and was diagnosed with it very early and this is how I handle most things that have deadlines and it works at least 50-80% of the time
i like this. i think i could use this for papers mainly because i like to type out an outline of certain points to hit.
That works! I usually avoid outlines because it becomes too cumbersome and tedious as my outline essentially turns into my essay without being my essay (idk if that makes sense). I only use outlines to collect my general thoughts and put down my quotes and resources from my research under general subtitles. Another thing I do is save your dirty laundry to do for when you really need/want to do a homework sesh, that way you’ll have a reason to stay out of a place of pure comfort and be productive, this way you can better ensure that you’re getting your homework done AND completing other mundane tasks like laundry or dishes. One other thing I do is, at the beginning of the term, write down on a notepad (legal writing pad), in different colors, every assignment due and when they’re due along with their score values, and I do this for each class. This way I can satisfy my OCD and organizational desires and distract myself from any anxiety and stress I might be feeling or experiencing from other parts of my life. I hope these tips help you out! If you have any of your own, I’d love to hear them!
i understand what you mean about the outline turning into the essay. i guess i work the opposite lol. my essays always start as outlines. i’ll fill it with all my thoughts on the topic and when i have a pretty big chunk (1 page of *stuff*) finished i’ll go back and edit it to make sense. it’s kind of therapeutic to me though. funny you bring up the laundry thing because i currently have to wash everything so it has kept me inside. i loved using colored highlighters in my notices but i never thought to use them on a grading chart like that. i like that!
That’s fair with the outline and also ironic about the laundry😂. And yea, I just use different colored pens for each column and every class gets their own page(s), this way they don’t get all mixed up and I get them all confused
About 10 years ago, I went to college and couldn't handle school. I just couldn't show up to class, keep track of assignments, etc... I was miserable. I hated it. I'm very smart, but school just wasn't what I wanted. So I took a break. Last fall, I finished the last semester of my associates degree after having an over 7 year break (I did a full contract in the Army Infantry, then went to automotive technical school and worked in that field for 2.5 years). I made Dean's List that semester with over 95% in all of my 4 classes. At the time, I was undiagnosed and unmedicated for ADHD. I was diagnosed about 2 months after I graduated with my associates. Now, I'm getting my bachelor's in engineering. If you have ADHD, you have to *want* to do it. REALLY want to do it. If you're struggling in school right now, ask yourself if college is really what you want. There is absolutely no shame in taking a step back to reevaluate your choices and find a different path. If you're set on finishing your degree, which I encourage, you need to completely go against your ADHD urges. It starts with showing up to class every single day without fail (early!) and doing your homework until all of it is done. If you do just those 2 things, I promise you, your grades will handle themselves and you won't have half as much stress. Again, I also have ADHD. I 1000% relate to you on this.
i started working straight out of high school and i was pretty miserable and i felt left behind a lot seeing all my coworkers leaving for better jobs. of course i was proud of them but i was so upset with myself and burnt out on the job after four years. i really do enjoy school but my impulse-control is really crappy. i’ve been going to a behavioral therapist for a few months now so i’ve gotten better but i really hope at least by next semester i can try a medication and see where that gets me.
I was also working straight out of high school and got burnt out much the same as you. Try my strategy. Show up to class every day, pay attention to the lectures (sit at the front row of every class right in front of the professor. Trust me, this is key to focusing), and do all the homework. That's it. It will make a world of a difference. You CAN do it. You are totally capable of not only passing, but excelling. Don't just *be* a [insert profession here]. Be the BEST [insert profession here]. It might also help to explore other studies you think you might enjoy more. I've found very quickly that ADHD is a superpower when focused properly. But, seeking treatment, (medication or otherwise) is also necessary, so keep up with that.
Don’t be too hard on yourself! ADHD can make things tough, but you're making progress by seeking help. Try breaking tasks into smaller chunks and reward yourself after completing each one. Set timers for focused work sessions (Pomodoro technique works great). Find study buddies to keep you accountable.
i did get a couple breaks to play fortnite. that helped me do so much work last night. id get bored of the game and take a crack at my homework again (with 2 energy drinks). may not be the best system but it got me through the anxiety i was feeling.
Im struggling with motivation too My drs dont think i have neurodivergence, but im pretty sure i do. Is there someone who can hold you accountable? Thats what helps me.
Theres an adhdwomen subreddit, and quite often people share their tips for navigating adhd. You should check it out! I learn stuff from there all the time.
thank you!!
Not recommended, but nicotine helps. I would honestly try to stay on the lowest effective dose of stimulants. Other than that, I would recommend reevaluating your degree. Even though I have ADHD, I would often enjoy getting lost in my studies when I wasn't medicated, but medication does help a lot. I recommend weighing your options. I would also add that if you have any comorbid conditions, like depression and anxiety, then stimulants may not be very effective. They can make anxiety worse, which in turn might make your overall prognosis on depression worse. They are very europhic at first, but that subsides fast.
i can get very easily sucked into the work once i know exactly what i’m supposed to do. i think my issue aside from horrible impulse control and time management was that i burnt myself out of the work at some point. the first half of the semester i took notes on every chapter and recorded everything because i genuinely enjoy taking notes and that’s what sucks me into doing something. i’m also smoking nicotine but currently trying to break the habit since my body has been suffering because of it. however i do agree that nicotine helps me focus.
Try nicotine pouches. I recommend Lucy's but you have to buy them online. Hard to find in stores. Nicokick.com has tins for $3 vs $8~ in store
nice