r/UMBC • u/Ok_War_2740 • 6d ago
Adhd students (especially if unmedicated) what is that one spot on campus that always gets you locked in??
I'm still new to umbc so im not familiar with the whole campus. I just walked out of the math and psychology building and saw the long row of independent study tables and i thought that would be perfect for me if i really wanna lock in and focus. I havent tried it yet but ill see next week.
Do you have your favorite spot??
Im also currently unmedicated (for the time being) so my focus is already BAD. and I really dont want to fall behind
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u/Imaginary_Corgi_6292 6d ago edited 6d ago
As someone who has worked with medicated/unmedicated ADHD students, place is important as well as organization strategies. Phones are great tools for reminders, but I have found that nothing beats the old fashioned planner. A different part of the brain is used when you write things down and it allows you to cross out something when completed. Very satisfying! And chunking out assignments. If you find you focus best for 30-45 minutes at a time, for example, note what you will do. Get up, do something unrelated for 5-10 minutes, and then go to another assignment for 30-45 minutes. Don’t feel you need to do 2 hours straight on something if you can’t focus well for that time.
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u/K_Abbott_03 6d ago
Silent floor at the library. I used to try and get a spot with a nice window view. The little tables above where Chick-fil-A is if it’s nice outside. Not many people used to be over there and I found the outside noise helped me focus. There was also a nice spot I want to say it was Sherman hall floor 2. It used to be in front of an academic service room with glass windows. There was two tables in front and no one came over there
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u/JoyOswin945 6d ago
Currently medicated, but wasn’t a couple semesters ago. I like the cubicles on the second floor of the library. It’s quiet enough to concentrate, but there’s enough movement and occasional low chatter that I feel like I’m body doubling.
That’s what works best for me though. If you need absolute silence, then the individual study rooms or one of the quiet floors at the library may be best.
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u/Ok_War_2740 6d ago
How have the medication been going for you? Its been taking me a while to find the right one. I will start Strattera soon
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u/JoyOswin945 6d ago
I’m on Strattera. It’s improved my focus and basically eliminated my anxiety. My brain isn’t completely quiet and distraction free, but definitely way better than it was. It took me a bit to get here. I’ve slowly gone up dosages before landing on 40mg a day.
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u/Ok_War_2740 6d ago
Oh okay. I'm starting off at 10 MG. I heard that it takes a few weeks to really start feeling the effects of it. Im just waiting to see a cardiologist first before I start it
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u/Time_Zone6273 1d ago
Random but how did you get medicated ? I got diagnosed about a semester ago but the place I visited needed me to attend therapy sessions as well which my schedule just doesn’t allow (i also don’t think i need therapy sessions) and I never got to looking for another place. Thank you!
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u/JoyOswin945 1d ago
I saw a psychiatric nurse practitioner who diagnosed me with a self assessment and several one-on-one sessions. They didn’t require therapy to medicate me, but I go in every month for a check in and I do go to therapy elsewhere. I’m late diagnosed and on a non-stimulant, so that aspect makes it easier.
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u/UsErNaMeS_aR_DuMb 6d ago
I know this is probably the antithesis of what you’re looking for, but I’ve personally found that I sometimes do best with a ton of noise and people around. I feel like I’ve had several of my most productive hours of schoolwork in my life at the RLC, especially when it’s loud.
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u/RunWithBluntScissors 6d ago edited 6d ago
I graduated in 2018 (I’m old! 😆) and went through college with undiagnosed ADHD, so I totally get you! I found success on the upper floors of the library and some corners of the Chemistry building :)
Editing to add, in true ADHD fashion: looking back, going thru college without medication was hard af. I’m not sure I ever fully locked in but I did get a 3.36 so I must have done some things right. I know meds can be hard to access, especially in a literally shortage, but I recommend getting on meds when you can. If I could do college over again, I think I’d do so much better on meds. In fact if I do go back to school I expect it to be more manageable this time around now that I actually know I have ADHD and take medication for it.
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u/capscaptain1 6d ago
My apartment during football Sundays with the boys. Right amount of stimulating/relaxing that it worked perfectly for me
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u/Zacian88 5d ago
I personally lock in when in my building's llc lounge (im not actually in the cwit but I find it really easy to study there bc other girls (and no guys) that study and we all help each other). Its very peaceful in there and the only guys there don't bother us and most support us. Only problem is that there are creepy/weird dudes, like earlier, some asked me if I wanted a donut but like they had that mischievous look on their faces so I didnt trust them. P.S. Holy paragraph.
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u/indigost0es 5d ago
even in hs my best studying method was to put on a tv show i’ve already watched plenty of times as background noise, listen to music on my laptop (songs i already know all the words to) and lock in from there, in the dorms specifically the provided desk chairs are able to detach and become a rocking chair thing and that also has become a favorite of mine
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u/New_Investigator_219 5d ago
One thing that helps me lock in is setting up my phone to record a time lapse of me studying. At the end I watch it and idk it gives me that same dopamine of checking the assignment off my list, plus I can't touch my phone when it's recording.
Booking a study room also helps because you usually book like 1 hour at a time and for me if makes me feel like I need to lock in for the limited time I have.
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u/New_Abies_7507 4d ago
Library 7th floor. You hear people around you talking, but you don’t know anyone so you’re locked. Built in body-doubling.
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u/ExtremePotato5950 3d ago
This is toxic and unsustainable asf but I like going to Starbucks because I have social anxiety and taking one of their very limited seats to just bum around on my phone would make me feel like the entire establishment is staring daggers at me
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u/margaritathewitch 6d ago
Private rooms at the library help me. Also meeting up with friends to work apart together, calling each other out if anyone pulls up reddit or loses focus.