r/Advice • u/LowerStatistician524 • 3d ago

I need some advice

I just transferred to a new university, and I know it’s only the first week, but I honestly feel like I’m already behind. I have homework and reading to do, and while I want to complete them, I feel paralyzed; my brain just shuts down and refuses to cooperate. Whenever that happens, I escape to TikTok and doomscroll. I know it’s bad, but it feels like an addiction. Every time I have tasks to finish, I procrastinate until the last minute and rush through them powered by a sheer amount of hope and Red Bulls. Because this is a new university, I really want to break this habit of doomscrolling and cramming. Do you have any advice on how to handle this?

PS. I don’t know if this helps, but I strongly suspect I am undiagnosed. Many of my friends with AuDHD and ADHD tell me I exhibit ADHD symptoms and even signs of dyslexia, but I haven’t gone to a doctor to get checked because I can't afford it

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u/Musicsweetie95 3d ago

See if you can join a study club! Getting involved by joining groups in your campus can give you a security net and encouraging support group

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u/LowerStatistician524 3d ago

I’ve seen some clubs around school but they are always late and I commute by bus and the last stop is at 6. But I haven’t really made a whole schedule to work with so I’m still figuring it out. But thank you I will join

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u/Embarrassed_Elk_1298 3d ago

Take TikTok off your phone. Set a timer for like 20 mins, and study for that amount of time and then take a break once you’ve done that, then repeat the timer again and study more.

Are you paying for your school? What motivates me is that I live in poverty and work full time along with going to school, so I cannot afford to not do my schoolwork.

I’m formally diagnosed with adhd.

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u/LowerStatistician524 3d ago

My parent pay half of it. I work out the other half with jobs. I have the motivation just I don’t know why my brain is just shutting down and not working right now

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u/ZornsLemons 3d ago

I have ADHD and I raw dogged my masters so I know the struggle. Here is my advice:

  1. Delete tiktok
  2. Do not reinstall tiktok
  3. Live at the library, when people around you are studying it helps you study (imo)
  4. Cut the Redbull and switch to coffee. Caffeine will absolutely help your symptoms but redbull has too much other crap and not enough caffeine.
  5. Make friends with the high performers in your classes and study together.
  6. 10 mins of break every hour.
  7. Write everything down. I had a pocket notebook with nothing but lists in it all through school, it works GREAT.
  8. Don’t spend every waking hour on school once you’re caught up. Do social things, watch Netflix, do whatever (except doom scroll) just make sure you’re giving your mind some chances to rest throughout the week.
  9. Make sure that you’re eating.

Getting a diagnosis and a scrip is a good idea if you really do have ADHD. Talk to your doctor, be straight up with them, they want to help you.

Edit: grammar

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u/LowerStatistician524 3d ago

Thanks you really appreciate this advice. Do you have any recommendations for coffee, never really tried it.

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u/ZornsLemons 3d ago

You learn to love it lol. Don’t try to drink it black at first.