This is gonna be as much self-directed as it is outwards because GOD KNOWS I struggle with it, but if it helps anyone else yay!!!!!
Okay so if you’re like me, you’re just entering college and hearing a lot of ‘I want you to challenge yourself’ and ‘you’re an adult now, you need to self advocate’ (’you’ being your graduating class) and if you, also like me, have ADHD and are still not okay with it/have a lot of internalized ableism and self-loathing, then this can really send you into a spiral.
If so, then STOP. Take a deep breath. You’ll be fine.
Remember that your teachers and peer advisors are there to help you, and want you to seek out their help. They’re not going to shout you down just because you’re having troubles, and despite the ‘tough love’ speeches you get at orientation, they aren’t going to say ‘tough shit’ to you. Those speeches are because they can’t help you solve a problem they don’t know about. Remember, you’re not the only one who struggles in college, who needs help. Your problem isn’t anything new, and they can help you.
If something DOES come up where they aren’t receptive or helpful about things pertaining to your ADHD, or you’re scared it will or don’t know how to explain your issue/question TALK TO YOUR LEARNING SPECIALIST, and more than that TALK TO ONE ON CAMPUS, who can have an actual effect with the staff. They, without a doubt, WILL BE ON YOUR SIDE and can help you ask for help. They understand ADHD, and understand your needs. LEARNING SPECIALISTS ARE ON YOUR SIDE.
Now, you may say ‘but Miranda, you yourself are a freshman, and not even at my school, how could you know that this is true?’
...and tbh I can’t be absolutely certain. This is mostly a post I planned because I nearly cried thinking about how bad i am at asking for help and because platitudes about ‘oh, it’ll be fine’ from people who don’t have adhd or have that but not anxiety, or have a lot of faith in me that i can’t understand and that’s not as helpful as hearing it from yourself. BUT, if you are at a school where not even the learning specialists take the side of adhd students then PLEASE TRANSFER THAT IS A BAD SITUATION. If you don’t know where the academic services are, go to a peer mentor, because they are only a year or more older than you and thus arent scary adults.