Hi everyone! I am brand new here, and I am already so grateful to have found such a supportive and helpful community! I am a 21 year old in my final year of my bachelors degree, studying Conservation Biology and Life Sciences Communication. I am considering options for post graduation, and I'm feeling nervous and conflicted about my ability to be successful in a less structured graduate program like a PHD. I would love to hear about anyone's experience in graduate programs, and if anyone has any advice!
~A little about me~ I have known throughout my whole life that I had many symptoms of ADHD, but my family was resistant to have me get tested because I appeared to be high performing in school, and generally high functioning. In addition, my younger brother was diagnosed with ADHD at a very young age, had earlier presenting difficulties and more obvious symptoms to an outside observer, so in comparison it seemed like I was just lazy and forgetful. However, as school became more difficult, and generally my life responsibilities increased, I have struggled more and more to keep up. I was formally diagnosed with ADHD about a year ago, and recently got on medication which has been helpful. However, I still feel like I am underachieving. Not because I don't care, or am not smart enough to succeed, but because big tasks are hard to start, assignments seem overwhelming, and I procrastinate until a surge of adrenaline kicks in and I rush to complete my work.
That being said, I absolutely love learning, and would love to continue exploring my interests. When I feel interested I can work and spend hours at a time being productive. School just has not necessarily seemed to be the most conducive structure for me. So, I am curious if people have felt that looser structure of a PHD or masters program has been a positive experience. Have you informed your advisors about your struggles with ADHD symptoms? Have there been any accommodations that have made your experience easier? Or just generally advice about continuing education?
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Honeywood
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Hi! Your college experience and mine have a lot in common. I was able to keep up with everything while I was younger but transitioning to college was a challenge once everything became difficult and too much. Medicine does help, but without techniques and everything else learned it's almost like a bandaid, as some would say. I have yet to get into grad school nor have I finally decided on a concentration. However, accommodations are helpful within college. Everyone is different but reaching out to the disability office (that's what my school called it) can be a huge help. You'd have to provide documentation to them; however when you email your professors or talk to them, you don't have to explain anything more than "due to a documented disability/whatever word you'd like to use." None of mine even asked me what it was, simply because I don't think they can and they just wished me well and said they were always there if I needed extra support. I didn't have accommodations for ADHD in college, just anxiety/PTSD yet they were still the same procedure. Regarding your comment about working hours on something you find interested in, welcome to hyperfocus. It is exactly that: interesting things hold our attention. I hope that helps! I'm also always around if you want to chat about anything more!
I went through grad school with ADD and not knowing it. Unsurprisingly I cumulated my PhD work plus a teaching assistant job plus a research assistant job plus a scholarship plus a part-time consulting job, and I got married... :)) typical of ADD. I started therapy in my 4th year of doctoral program, when it was already one year late, and realized the need to focus. I dropped everything except the Dissertation and was able finish it with top honors. Long story short, it is totally feasible, especially if you also have medical treatment, are working on topics you are passionate about, have a good socioacademic circle, and some sort of therapy, and a great advisor / program. I was going to the computer lab every day when I decided to focus and had a routine that I never changed for months. I wrapped up everything like a miracle. The routine included my two weekly therapy sessions, long walks, jogging (started very short and slow, then grew from there, don't forget the stretching), healthy eating, regular sleep cycle, and some balance with practicing a musical instrument. All that got me publications, a post-doc, and a smooth transition into a job. My troubles started when I got bored with that job (ADD...) and started a business... that's another story. BTW the therapist wasn't into medical treatment and was psychoanalytical, so he never told me I had ADD, somehow I realized by myself that I had to focus. However, if I was under treatment when I got my teaching job, I probably could have stayed there and be totally happy with that. I hope some of this helps!
Yes it is entirely possible. Currently in medical school, 4th year. It was just diagnosed this year after trying everything under the sun to help me get through school. I was pretty much spending every waking hour studying but for some reason just not being able to complete the last few tests. Oddly I did exceedingly well in my MCAT and initial exams in 1st year, which is why my wife pushed me to seek a professional psychiatrist. I thought it was some kind of weird personality trait or "depression without being sad" kind of thing. I mostly just stated that I had trouble focusing and after 3 visits I got diagnosed and prescribed for ADD.
Turns out I had chronic issues maintaining motivation, even in things that I really "liked" to do, and while it's certainly enough to get through very difficult courses I met my ultimate burden trying to learn medicine through what is essentially remote learning and compounded massively by the pandemic limiting all in-person learning opportunities.
Hi Honeywood , I guess I am currently in the middle of answering this for myself, as I was diagnosed and am in my second year of masters in engineering. But if there is anything I can offer I guess is my cosign on what Credit said about the power of a good schedule and making sure you choose something you are interested in. For me, my biggest issue is actually writing out my dissertation. Doing the actual work and stuff is interesting and fun, but the writing out is tiring even for neurotypicals. So in that regard, my supervisor swears by writing a page/paragraph every day, though ith covid, this has not been easy. The looser schedule will challenge you to develop your own and stick with it and not get distracted. Though at the end of the day, I'm determined to finish, so I will, and your own drive is going to be your most important asset.
Hi! I'm a little late to the party here, but your history sounds similar to mine (high functioning in school, I was diagnosed at 14-15 which is considered "later," etc.). I'm in my 3rd year working towards a PhD in clinical psychology. I think you could absolutely be successful in higher education - it takes effort, but everyone works hard to get a higher degree. Like you mentioned, it is helpful to be interested in the topic, especially in a PhD that is very specialized, but that doesn't work 100% of the time. My research is actually on social factors and ADHD, and I love it, but sometimes I think I might scream if I see the acronym "ADHD" in a paper one more time. Pro tip - those are the times when it's good to take a break.
To address your specific concerns:- Yes, graduate programs can be less structured, but the same resources are available to you that would be available in undergrad in terms of support/accommodations
- For feeling like an underachiever (honestly same), that's a really valid and frustrating thing to feel. Super common with ADHD, and also super common for neurotypical humans in grad programs, although it's usually referred to as impostor syndrome. What's helped me is learning more about the neurochemistry about ADHD and executive dysfunction (which is what you described with tasks, assignments, and procrastination. It's also something that's good to bring up with a trusted advisor/faculty member, and your PhD cohort can also be a support system.
- I did tell my doctoral advisor about my ADHD symptoms once I got a feel for who she was. She's been great about it and is awesome about checking in with me and adjusting deadlines for me (although usually moving them up so that I'll be on track)
With academia/PhD/Masters, I think the best thing you can do is advocate for yourself. Ask for accommodations, look for the resources, talk to your program director or your advisor, and so on. Advocating for yourself can also be telling your advisor what you need to be successful (within reason, of course). For me, that was talking to my advisor - disclosing my symptoms, asking for specific guidelines and early deadlines to give myself cushion time, and making sure that I'm communicating with her when I'm struggling more. Aside from that, all the things Credit mentioned are really great - basically practice that real life-grad school life balance and self care, and you'll have a good system in place.
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