Need College Advice for Managing ADHD, Depression, PTSD, and Anxiety

Here’s a list of what I use as a second-year ADHD college student: -GIANT dry erase wall calendar -brain dump board (sticky notes of everything I need to do) -GIANT list of 3 biggest tasks for the day on the wall (chosen from the brain dump board) -visual timer -so many phone alarms -task bracelets (can’t take them off until you’ve done the task) -little candies/snacks (dopamine boost/reward system) -reward sticker chart (track habits/feel sense of accomplishment/motivation boost) -noise cancelling headphones -ambient music (no lyrics) -so many stim toys -different chair options Sorry if that was a lot, but I really hope it helps!! You can message me if you have any questions! Best of luck this semester!

My biggest recommendation to you is to use your school’s resources! The disability office, there is probably a student success/academic achievement center or something similar, the librarians when it comes to research, etc. Even the career office, honestly. Those are the big ones. My undergrad’s academic achievement center offered tutoring, but also a lot of 1-on-1 services with the professional staff. They would meet with students as often as needed, and do like academic coaching and stuff. I did get connected with the disability office when I started college, but I didn’t get involved really at all the the academic achievement center and I really regret that. I felt like I wasn’t “struggling enough” to use their services. Like not that I thought I was too good for them but that other people needed them more so I shouldn’t use them, I didn’t deserve to. That couldn’t be further from the truth. First of all, I was really struggling lol. But also, those services are for EVERYONE, and that’s what they’re there for! No one deserves to use those services any more or less than anyone else. You’re paying for it, you’re entitled to use it. I interned with the academic achievement center my senior year, and so I got to meet all the staff members and learn all about their services and stuff. I was kicking myself for never using their services the previous 3 years, because I absolutely would have benefited from it. I always wonder what my college career would have been like had I went and gotten support sooner, because instead, I really struggled the whole way through, and there were some really difficult times. Sorry, that was long. But to summarize, my advice is get connected with the supports at your university SOON. Even if you don’t think you need it yet. Don’t try to wait until you DO need them, get connected NOW. They’re there to help you, and it will make your life so much easier! I am a recent grad, and we have a lot of similar conditions. If you have any other questions or anything, feel free to message me :) Also, if you’re not already connected with your school’s disability office, and you don’t have accommodations or anything, I am happy to talk to you about that!

Calendar, lists, agendas etc figuring out ways to stay organized and then trying to limit distractions (can use apps, plugins, timers, or change of environment like the library)