ADHD and Me: Discovering a Learning Style That Works For Me!

 I've read a couple of Facebook posts recently about struggles with studying due to ADHD, and it reminded me of the battle I had surviving the final module of my degree! 

One of the main reasons I chose a private ADHD diagnosis was because I wanted support for the final two modules of my degree.  I was fortunate to be able to study full-time for the last two years of my degree.  However, without the structure of going to work, my life quickly unravelled.  I can't remember the exact point when I strongly suspected I had ADHD, but I think the suspicion started to grow, especially when I showed my husband a list of inattentive symptoms, and I had every single one of them! 

To go back a little.  I always felt as though I had underachieved.  I had to retake my 'O' Levels (the precursor to GCSEs) as I only passed three of them, and I passed one 'A' Level.  After that, there were a couple of BTech courses which I failed. I felt like a disappointment.  In fact, I knew that I was a disappointment to my parents.  

Following this, I did a variety of jobs and training courses.  I trained to be a swimming teacher-I was a very good swimmer as a child and teen.  I trained to be a counsellor, but I never had the confidence in my ability to be able to help others.  

I always wished I had done a degree, so in 2015, once I realised I was eligible for a student loan, I started my degree with the Open University.  I loved studying!  However, my issues from day one were procrastinating for hours and rushing to get my studies and assignments done.  I remember saying numerous times to my husband that I was doing very well, but imagine how much better I'd be doing if I could just knuckle down and get on with it!  I also had a lot of self-doubt.  I noticed almost exactly a year apart, almost exactly the same post on Facebook about my high mark in the last assignment of the module, and maybe I would start believing in myself soon!  

I received my ADHD diagnosis in November 2022 at the age of 52, and I sought support through Disabled Student's Allowance (DSA).  Following an assessment, I was provided with various tools, such as read/write apps and noise-cancelling headphones.  I was also provided with a support worker, who helped me immensely.  One crucial fact I learnt was to do things in a way that suited me rather than forcing myself to do it how a neurotypical student would.  For example, I tend to jump around from one thing to another rather than working through things more logically.  My final assignment for my final module involved writing a 5000 literature review on a chosen subject.  We were provided with a plan of how to work through the required sections, and I decided, for once, to follow the guidance carefully.  I had even managed to be slightly ahead, so instead of a six-week countdown, I managed to make a start with about ten weeks to go.  I got so stuck with being unable to follow the countdown that I couldn't do the suggested tasks at all.  I then discussed it with my ADHD coach, who asked why I was so insistent on following the guidance when I knew what actually worked for me!  That was the reminder I needed to move away from the guidance and do it my own way!  

Understanding myself and how I learn has been invaluable.  I was so criticised as a child and young adult and felt forced to try to do things in the way that was expected of me.  It made me unhappy.   Now that I am training to be an ADHD Life Coach, I am able to learn in a way that suits my brain rather than trying to force it to work in ways that I know don't work for me.  This has boosted my self-esteem and confidence, and I am a lot happier!