By Léonie Sonderegger
My tips on navigating uni & ADHD
First of all, I would suggest talking to your teachers and tutors, make an appointment with the university counselling services and your GP to get everything officialised. After you’ve done all the admin stuff, it’s time to get to the hard stuff. How to COPE with it… *audible gasp*
The most important thing, in my mind, to consider is a work-life balance, and no, that doesn’t mean going out every other night with friends. Something that could be helpful is physical activity. Your mental health will thank you for it, and it doesn’t even have to be a 3 hour stint in the gym, but just a small run, a Chloé Ting work-out in your room or joining the rugby team, physical activity can help you boost your performance and improve your concentration.
Another important tool is clear communication with your teachers and tutors. They will appreciate you sharing your situation. People can't help if they don't know! You might find that you have to put in more work and effort than others, and find other ways to do your assignments and study. (For example, I do Vocab during my warm-up on the treadmill in the gym, it’s the only way I manage to consistently keep up with it). It's all about finding what suits YOU.
Developing coping mechanisms and ways of managing your situation is key. Once you get the hang of it, nothing can stop you!