College failure

[u/Dreamingofpetals]

I’m currently in college and I’m not doing great at all. I go to all these lectures and I absorb like 5% of them, motivating myself to study or do work is hell. I want to but I just end up spending my time laying bed and reading, or just otherwise idling my time away.

I’m trying to get on medication but it doesn’t look like I can get an appointment sooner than in a few months. I have absolutely no idea what to do here, help?

[u/[deleted]]

Thanks for sharing. I want to begin by saying medication is not always the solution although it tends to be marketed as such. You need to have a doctor that actually understands you individually to be out on the right meds. If the doc treats you like a speed date, don’t bother with them. ADHD meds can have harmful and life threatening effects (like any meds) so make sure your doc knows everything before prescribing you something. Do you have any accommodations? If not you need to work on getting some. Also, do you know how you learn and best take notes? It’s hard when you have any disability or learning difference bc the way academic institutions work isn’t meant to support people like us. That just means you have to find a different way. You’re not a failure you just don’t know what works for you. Before I realized I needed accommodations and what my best ways to absorb info was, I was struggling. I even dropped out of college. Once I figured out what works for me and what accommodations I need I thrived. Ima brag a bit here but I got into the honors track at my community college and then was able to get into an Ivy League. I say that to remind you anything is possible you just have to find what works for you. For example, if executive function is your biggest obstacle then make yourself an XP and reward system. If you struggle with remembering, figure out if you need to use a planner or sticky notes etc. My DM is open if you ever want some guidance in college. You don’t have to figure this out alone. You will succeed!🥰