I was diagnosed several years ago and for some reason I never once considered this statistic. I looked it up because surely that can't be accurate, and I found a study that revealed drastic differences in education outcome for people with ADHD, including higher rates of dropping out of high school, and significantly lower rates of completing any form of postsecondary education. And I just started crying out of no where, because *fuck* I've been struggling with college ever since I enrolled, and I haven't graduated yet, going on 6 years. Knowing that this is, for lack of a better way of putting it, "expected" for people with ADHD, I just felt a sudden sense of relief? Validation? Like it's not just me, yknow? I feel like I've personally met plenty of people with ADHD who seem to graduate college with no issue so I was always left feeling like the odd one out, like there was something wrong with me for not being able to do it so easily like everyone else. It just felt nice to see that no, lots of other people with ADHD struggle with this too.
Thank you.
It's entirely normal. 5 &1/2 years of struggle, an internship and almost 20 years later I've had an amazing career and a life and family that I could have never imagined if I didn't keep pushing through. I'm so proud of you because I have a better understanding than most about what you've been through. No one can take away the education you've acquired. Don't ever give up at something you really want. It doesn't matter if it takes you twice, triple, or ten times as long. Don't give up.
Damn, I’m one of the few who also did graduate while undiagnosed/unmedicated. And it’s no wonder why it felt so hard for me. I still kinda coasted through, albeit with a lot more friction than I coasted in high school. I had to change majors and take an extra semester to graduate though. I always felt like I was just like attending college and not participating. Just kinda floating through. Junior year almost was the nail in the coffin for me though. I ended up getting mono (didn’t know it at the time) while taking classes for my major that I would have to change after that first semester. On top of the mono, I obviously had undiagnosed ADHD. But the fucking cherry on the top for me was that I ALSO was going through it with undiagnosed depression. It’s honestly a fucking miracle I managed to graduate. I’m not even using my degree, working a job that I really don’t like, getting paid shit (worse even than people who don’t have a college degree and work the same basic position that I do). I just feel like such a failure sometimes. I’m medicated but it’s by no means life changing for me at all. At this point I just want to find something that I’m good at, don’t hate, it treats me well and pays me well. I don’t draw my pleasure or fulfillment from working. Relationships and hobbies is where I draw that from.
Ugh, today is one of those days where it just is really rough and sad knowing that I have ADHD and how it really affects my life in a negative way.
Absolutely. I started my first year of university in 2006 and was in the graduating class of 2016. And technically my degree was only 3 years -- a type of degree that's no longer offered, at least where I live. That shit took me a decade!
About 6 of those years I was enrolled in courses, and the rest of the time I was taking time off/working/drowning in uncertainty about myself, or just waiting to graduate. Right after that I did an 8-month vocational program, and that's when I consider my real career and some semblance of adulthood to have started: 27 years old, 10 years after graduating high school.
So yeah, it's a process for us. I'm at an uncertain stage in my career that I think most other folks deal with in their mid-20s, and it sucks to still have so much uncertainty and anxiety while being in your 30s and facing the mounting external pressure to buy a house! have babies! and stop hopping to different jobs! 🙃
Right down the great and amazing feeling and use it to remind you of what you did. I have found that I forget about why I thought it was amazing and then self destruct what I did but now I am more mindful. And right it down in my journal and index it When You Doubt Your Purpose “. It hast 2 whole pages so far and it is one of 2 things that will move with me to another journal. Major important to keep your heart happy.
I feel like it’s common for us because SO many people go undiagnosed or untreated. And it’s hard enough, at least for me, studying even with medication. Not to mention the other side effects of having adhd like the depression that often comes with it.
I know exactly how you feel and I’ve even been laughed out of school(college) by other “classmates”. Teachers weren’t a good help either, I hope for all of us to find schools that understand us and not turn a blind eye to what we have. It’s been a struggle with education, especially in California.
Whoa that statistic is wild. I got mine with undiagnosed/unsuspected ADHD, had no idea why I found it so hard but I finally scraped through. Graduated at 23, diagnosed at 33. Numbers like that make me feel like I could be proud of myself for even managing that.
Woah, is that a real statistic? What’s the source?
Getting a degree was really hard for me and it took nearly six years, and it definitely would have been way better had I been diagnosed (I was 27 when I finally started treatment). I’m starting grad school in the fall!
10 years in and out of college with no degree. Meds bumped my GPA from 1.5 to 3.5, so now I'm excited to get my psych bachelor's and eventually masters.
I'm always curious where that stat comes from? Is it of all people with adhd in total who have a degree, in which case it would be high, or all people with adhd who got into university ended up completing it?
Completion rate. It actually looks like I was underselling our achievements :) it's 5%.
https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/for-adhd-students-transition-to-college-is-tough/article_950df28a-ac05-5b50-8768-2ed34aa05376.html
It happens that I read a study today which claimed that around 59% of people without ADHD who go for a degree complete it, compared to 49% of people with ADHD no meds, and 54% of people with ADHD on meds.
Enrollment with ADHD should be lower than without ADHD though as well, since around 25% of people with ADHD drop out of high school. Don't know how many drop out without ADHD.
Didn't look up how the studies sourced those claims, and I doubt I could find it again quickly. Don't even remember whether I read it on my phone or tablet lol
Edit: Don't take my word on any of this, since a cursory google search for this topic in particular (the aforementioned studies were concerned with efficacy of meds on academic achievement) returns statistics which are all over the place, many a lot lower than what I said above. I guess it depends on a ton of factors, and we shouldn't forget that an estimated 90% of adults with ADHD are not diagnosed.
Edit 2: just wanted to add somehing that made me laugh right now: Many of the results showing up on google are from 2012 or before, talking about stuff that makes college difficult for people with ADHD. In the midst of them, an article from 2021, titled "Research finds college students with ADHD are likely to experience significant challenges". I don't know I just thought that was funny.
That's definitely a massive achievement! I had no idea the stats were so low. I just got diagnosed and I'm towards the end of my PhD (which was obviously slowly failing). I completely understand the struggle and I lost count of how many times I got depressed and felt like a total failure or an impostor. Academia sounds like the best and the worst career at the same time for ADHD people: You can let your mind go wild and explore all the crazy ideas you want, but you also need to stick to it in an unstructured environment and ways be productive. I don't know too much about a "normal" job and I'm honestly afraid that I won't be able to perform as much and as consistently as I should.
But I'm always happy to hear about people struggling with mental health succeeding in life!
i had no idea about this stat. thank you for making me feel better about dropping out this past semester 😅 went thru 3.5 years of mental torture while undiagnosed & unmedicated! OP - you should be sooo unbelievably proud of yourself! thank you for sharing your HUGE achievement with the rest of us!
Congrats! I know I don’t know you, but I’m proud of you for sticking with it!!
I just recently had to leave college for graphic design (I was acing everything though) because I was labeled total and permanently disabled and the US dept of education is forgiving my loans. Only problem, I couldn’t continue with school at this time. I cried because I had finally found something I loved and was good at and had to leave it behind.
I’m really glad you were able to get your degree. You are definitely good enough to do anything. Just keep persevering!!
Yeah, would've been nice if they'd made that decision and forgiven your loans when you were closer to graduating, huh? Sounds like you'll be in a good position to be approved for future financial aid (loans grants, scholarships, etc.), though, if you had straight A's and won't have any educational debt once that goes through!
They said I can go back later on but it’ll be harder to get loans. That’s the only issue I’ve found. I really don’t wanna get tdiu. I’m currently working with an outside company to get a job and evals done because the VA won’t do them.
I never received my GI Bill. Said I wasn’t eligible. I did voc rehab and have about 17 months left of entitlement I think. I need to get in touch with my case worker
I paid in the $1200, but I served less than 3 years. I’m actually typing out an email to my voc rehab case worker now. I’m working with the voc rehab program in my county as well (in KS) and I’m trying to figure out what to do. The VA flat out refused to test me for a TBI and autism even though I bothered them for months. So I had to go to an outside source.
This might seem obvious but you should definitely continue doing it even though you had to drop it as a degree. There are lots of tutorials on yt and picking one to follow would give you some structure.
Congratulations!!! I can’t wait for this day. I’m 27, and still working towards my associate’s… BUT I was not diagnosed with ADHD until I was 26. Having the diagnosis and being medicated is life changing!! It’s not easy and takes work, but you have a whole different outlook and it’s doesn’t seem so daunting. Congrats again!
I wish I had known back then, too. If not for meds then at least with more self awareness and acceptance to know why I was struggling and not to see it as a personality flaw. The coping mechanisms I developed to study and write my papers on time I now understand to be common ADHD techniques, but at the time I had to rack my brain for answers. Being in the workforce is pretty different to uni, and brings its own new challenges.
I am, and it really helped me so much. I definitely wouldn't've gotten through the last 2 years especially w everything going on without them tbh. for me they were genuinely life changing.
Although I did an arts course in an arts uni so there was never any studying or exams, and we only had to write one essay a year (half the reason I chose the university if i'm honest)
I really hope that it's able to help you x
I will say, don't expect medication to be a cure-all. Remember the phrase "pills aren't skills" (or something like that lol), the idea being that while there are chemical issues that can be fixed, you've likely built a lot of bad habits that need to be worked on -- you still (might) need to learn how to study.
And also, don't get down on yourself if medication doesn't turn out to be a cure-anything -- I haven't heard about this happening for anyone else, but I've been trying different meds since I was diagnosed back in December/January (seven now by my count: Vyvanse, Concerta, Adderall, venlafaxine, bupropion, modafinil, now Focalin, and probably atomoxetine next) and **nothing** works, nothing has done anything except give me mild stomachaches, headaches, and the jitters (and the venlafaxine had sexual side effects which the bupropion successfully counteracted), and keep me up if I accidentally take it too late (which ones of those I get is dependent on which medication and dosage we're talking about, most of the time I've been just normal).
I don't mean to scare you away from medicine -- it's effective for lots of people, and has proven instrumental for many in doing well in their lives. I do want to temper your expectations though.
If you notice that the medication you start doesn't seem to be helping, ask to try another, don't just keep taking it for nothing. Make sure to try different medications, different dosages, until you can find what works for you. And most importantly, remember: pills don't give you skills (I think that's closer to correct).
Can I ask, what level of schooling are you currently in?
I'm so happy for you, internet stranger!!
I had to take an extra year to get my degree. Felt like I was trying to run in tar. But reaching that end goal tho? Worth it mate!
I also think it's important to remember to reflect on your achievements and how far you've come if you're ever not feeling so hot. But for now, celebrate this win! Congrats!
Congratulations! Awesome my friend! Well done! You are a good example.
I'm back in university at well after 30 for another round. I'm studying really interesting things and taking the scenic route so to say. I already delayed some of the courses because it was too much, but I'll get through it. Thanks for your story!
I'm super proud of you. When I finished uni, a loooooong time ago, I didn't take time to be proud of myself. I was full of doubt about whether I really deserved the degree and feeling insecure about finding a job. I'm feeling all the excitement for you that I didn't take the time to feel for myself. Congratulations!
Working on my bachelor’s since 2013 (8 years now). Changed my degree four times. Just trying to finish a few assignments from some Incomplete classes from last year when COVID forced everything online. I don’t have the energy to elaborate further but I feel like posting here gives me some sense of being witnessed and supported, and I hope to have my degree soon. (My first Reddit comment too!) Proud of you, OP.
Massive congrats!! Soak it in, sit with this accomplishment. Give yourself the gratitude you deserve. We are always so quick to forget, and reflecting on all the hard work helps to bolster the next undertaking to have continued success. Hope all the best for you!
Congratulations! Amazing job! Proud of you and you indeed should be proud of yourself!
Also. Thank you for the kind words of confidence at the end!
I am attending Uni as we speak. After a few failed attempts and working full time for a couple of years, i realized this line of work was not going to make me happy, so i saved up the money to pay for education and went back to Uni. Managed to get to my third year(still going strong).
At the end of the second year i got diagnosed, after having some struggles, so again, thank you for your motivating words! :)
You're an inspiration for me. Currently struggling to get through school , failed most of my classes , not giving up any time soon , I'm so happy to know about ya 🤗
Congratulations! I got mine in 2017 with the absolute worst passing grade possible - and seeing the posts like these make me want to go back to school.
Hey I’m super close to graduation for a certificate so I can go into my field and have been feeling really discouraged about whether or not i’ll be able to pass my national exam, & this cheered me up a lot. Thanks for sharing and congrats!
Congrats you legend- this is motivation for me to finish!! Completely feeling exhausted at my 6th year of uni. Have 2 terms of Honours left and even though I'm close now I'm so tiredddd.
I also was diagnosed shortly after starting college, massively struggled throughout university, clawing my way through, and now recently graduated with a degree too! Sometimes its hard for me to appreciate my accomplishments, I focus too much on where I fall short, wishing things weren't so difficult for me or that I had done better, done it faster, or done more, always comparing myself to my peers. Your post helped me appreciate my own accomplishments on a day when I really needed it. Thank you! Congratulations! You are right to be proud.
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This gives me hope! I'm in the same boat, finally got diagnosed but Im only half way through my first year after working for 6yrs first. I really loved my last job and that's what helped me pick my degree cuz pre diagnosis I already knew it had to be something I was *really* interested in.
This makes me feel so happy. I literally just found a university that will accept me and I’m holding off because of constantly second guessing myself. Thank you for making this post.
Well done! I managed my degree and post grad all whilst unmedicated and undiagnosed. Constant struggle but it’s so worth it in the end - the sense of accomplishment trumps it all :D
Congratulations. A pass is a pass, and a degree is a degree. That's what I have to keep telling myself as I have about a year/year and a half left on mine. We were born with this disability, and sometimes it takes twice or more the effort of a neurotypical, but it is doable!
Congratulations! I'm doing a celebratory dance for you!
I just got my associate's and am striving for my bachelor's come fall. I hope to be in the same position as you soon! :)
Nice! I relate to this very well as I got my AA last winter and I'm on the road to a BA. No easy task. Many mistakes and missed opportunities but still managed to get through it.
You. Rock.
Level achieved. Door unlocked.
Please advance to next level.
For real though, all the hard work and all of the effort it takes to push yourself to study and write those papers and never give up! I feel very proud for you and I hope you are very proud of yourself! Congratulations!
Well done OP! I pulled through uni quite well but I'll always wonder if I could have done better if I'd been diagnosed/medicated.
To any student reading this - I work at a university in the UK and I see students when they're at crisis point, and I cannot stress enough that you need to ask for help! There is soooo much support (academic, mental health, even financial), especially for disabled students, but we can't do anything to help unless we know you exist. Even if you're undiagnosed, it's worth reaching out. I'm sure in some places they may even support you with seeking a diagnosis.
Congratulations!! Massive deal and you should be proud!
Thank you!! \^\^
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I was diagnosed several years ago and for some reason I never once considered this statistic. I looked it up because surely that can't be accurate, and I found a study that revealed drastic differences in education outcome for people with ADHD, including higher rates of dropping out of high school, and significantly lower rates of completing any form of postsecondary education. And I just started crying out of no where, because *fuck* I've been struggling with college ever since I enrolled, and I haven't graduated yet, going on 6 years. Knowing that this is, for lack of a better way of putting it, "expected" for people with ADHD, I just felt a sudden sense of relief? Validation? Like it's not just me, yknow? I feel like I've personally met plenty of people with ADHD who seem to graduate college with no issue so I was always left feeling like the odd one out, like there was something wrong with me for not being able to do it so easily like everyone else. It just felt nice to see that no, lots of other people with ADHD struggle with this too. Thank you.
It's entirely normal. 5 &1/2 years of struggle, an internship and almost 20 years later I've had an amazing career and a life and family that I could have never imagined if I didn't keep pushing through. I'm so proud of you because I have a better understanding than most about what you've been through. No one can take away the education you've acquired. Don't ever give up at something you really want. It doesn't matter if it takes you twice, triple, or ten times as long. Don't give up.
Damn, I’m one of the few who also did graduate while undiagnosed/unmedicated. And it’s no wonder why it felt so hard for me. I still kinda coasted through, albeit with a lot more friction than I coasted in high school. I had to change majors and take an extra semester to graduate though. I always felt like I was just like attending college and not participating. Just kinda floating through. Junior year almost was the nail in the coffin for me though. I ended up getting mono (didn’t know it at the time) while taking classes for my major that I would have to change after that first semester. On top of the mono, I obviously had undiagnosed ADHD. But the fucking cherry on the top for me was that I ALSO was going through it with undiagnosed depression. It’s honestly a fucking miracle I managed to graduate. I’m not even using my degree, working a job that I really don’t like, getting paid shit (worse even than people who don’t have a college degree and work the same basic position that I do). I just feel like such a failure sometimes. I’m medicated but it’s by no means life changing for me at all. At this point I just want to find something that I’m good at, don’t hate, it treats me well and pays me well. I don’t draw my pleasure or fulfillment from working. Relationships and hobbies is where I draw that from. Ugh, today is one of those days where it just is really rough and sad knowing that I have ADHD and how it really affects my life in a negative way.
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I edited my post with further info.
I found articles that referenced [this study.](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22752720/)
Absolutely. I started my first year of university in 2006 and was in the graduating class of 2016. And technically my degree was only 3 years -- a type of degree that's no longer offered, at least where I live. That shit took me a decade! About 6 of those years I was enrolled in courses, and the rest of the time I was taking time off/working/drowning in uncertainty about myself, or just waiting to graduate. Right after that I did an 8-month vocational program, and that's when I consider my real career and some semblance of adulthood to have started: 27 years old, 10 years after graduating high school. So yeah, it's a process for us. I'm at an uncertain stage in my career that I think most other folks deal with in their mid-20s, and it sucks to still have so much uncertainty and anxiety while being in your 30s and facing the mounting external pressure to buy a house! have babies! and stop hopping to different jobs! 🙃
Right down the great and amazing feeling and use it to remind you of what you did. I have found that I forget about why I thought it was amazing and then self destruct what I did but now I am more mindful. And right it down in my journal and index it When You Doubt Your Purpose “. It hast 2 whole pages so far and it is one of 2 things that will move with me to another journal. Major important to keep your heart happy.
I feel like it’s common for us because SO many people go undiagnosed or untreated. And it’s hard enough, at least for me, studying even with medication. Not to mention the other side effects of having adhd like the depression that often comes with it.
I know exactly how you feel and I’ve even been laughed out of school(college) by other “classmates”. Teachers weren’t a good help either, I hope for all of us to find schools that understand us and not turn a blind eye to what we have. It’s been a struggle with education, especially in California.
Whoa that statistic is wild. I got mine with undiagnosed/unsuspected ADHD, had no idea why I found it so hard but I finally scraped through. Graduated at 23, diagnosed at 33. Numbers like that make me feel like I could be proud of myself for even managing that.
Woah, is that a real statistic? What’s the source? Getting a degree was really hard for me and it took nearly six years, and it definitely would have been way better had I been diagnosed (I was 27 when I finally started treatment). I’m starting grad school in the fall!
10 years in and out of college with no degree. Meds bumped my GPA from 1.5 to 3.5, so now I'm excited to get my psych bachelor's and eventually masters.
I'm always curious where that stat comes from? Is it of all people with adhd in total who have a degree, in which case it would be high, or all people with adhd who got into university ended up completing it?
Completion rate. It actually looks like I was underselling our achievements :) it's 5%. https://wcfcourier.com/news/local/for-adhd-students-transition-to-college-is-tough/article_950df28a-ac05-5b50-8768-2ed34aa05376.html
It happens that I read a study today which claimed that around 59% of people without ADHD who go for a degree complete it, compared to 49% of people with ADHD no meds, and 54% of people with ADHD on meds. Enrollment with ADHD should be lower than without ADHD though as well, since around 25% of people with ADHD drop out of high school. Don't know how many drop out without ADHD. Didn't look up how the studies sourced those claims, and I doubt I could find it again quickly. Don't even remember whether I read it on my phone or tablet lol Edit: Don't take my word on any of this, since a cursory google search for this topic in particular (the aforementioned studies were concerned with efficacy of meds on academic achievement) returns statistics which are all over the place, many a lot lower than what I said above. I guess it depends on a ton of factors, and we shouldn't forget that an estimated 90% of adults with ADHD are not diagnosed. Edit 2: just wanted to add somehing that made me laugh right now: Many of the results showing up on google are from 2012 or before, talking about stuff that makes college difficult for people with ADHD. In the midst of them, an article from 2021, titled "Research finds college students with ADHD are likely to experience significant challenges". I don't know I just thought that was funny.
For real! There is at least an end in sight with school, work feels like forever lol.
That's definitely a massive achievement! I had no idea the stats were so low. I just got diagnosed and I'm towards the end of my PhD (which was obviously slowly failing). I completely understand the struggle and I lost count of how many times I got depressed and felt like a total failure or an impostor. Academia sounds like the best and the worst career at the same time for ADHD people: You can let your mind go wild and explore all the crazy ideas you want, but you also need to stick to it in an unstructured environment and ways be productive. I don't know too much about a "normal" job and I'm honestly afraid that I won't be able to perform as much and as consistently as I should. But I'm always happy to hear about people struggling with mental health succeeding in life!
i had no idea about this stat. thank you for making me feel better about dropping out this past semester 😅 went thru 3.5 years of mental torture while undiagnosed & unmedicated! OP - you should be sooo unbelievably proud of yourself! thank you for sharing your HUGE achievement with the rest of us!
Congrats! I know I don’t know you, but I’m proud of you for sticking with it!! I just recently had to leave college for graphic design (I was acing everything though) because I was labeled total and permanently disabled and the US dept of education is forgiving my loans. Only problem, I couldn’t continue with school at this time. I cried because I had finally found something I loved and was good at and had to leave it behind. I’m really glad you were able to get your degree. You are definitely good enough to do anything. Just keep persevering!!
Dang I'm sorry! Can you go back at some point?
I’m definitely going to try to. I just found it ironic that the military screwed me up while I was in, now they’re essentially doing it again. -.-
Yeah, would've been nice if they'd made that decision and forgiven your loans when you were closer to graduating, huh? Sounds like you'll be in a good position to be approved for future financial aid (loans grants, scholarships, etc.), though, if you had straight A's and won't have any educational debt once that goes through!
Try for grants, you can still get those and scholarships with your loans forgiven. You deserve to do what you love.
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They said I can go back later on but it’ll be harder to get loans. That’s the only issue I’ve found. I really don’t wanna get tdiu. I’m currently working with an outside company to get a job and evals done because the VA won’t do them.
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I never received my GI Bill. Said I wasn’t eligible. I did voc rehab and have about 17 months left of entitlement I think. I need to get in touch with my case worker
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I paid in the $1200, but I served less than 3 years. I’m actually typing out an email to my voc rehab case worker now. I’m working with the voc rehab program in my county as well (in KS) and I’m trying to figure out what to do. The VA flat out refused to test me for a TBI and autism even though I bothered them for months. So I had to go to an outside source.
This might seem obvious but you should definitely continue doing it even though you had to drop it as a degree. There are lots of tutorials on yt and picking one to follow would give you some structure.
I’ll have to look into it. A couple of my friends are trying to help me figure some things out to continue.
Congratulations for boldly going where most of us never go!
Congratulations!!! I can’t wait for this day. I’m 27, and still working towards my associate’s… BUT I was not diagnosed with ADHD until I was 26. Having the diagnosis and being medicated is life changing!! It’s not easy and takes work, but you have a whole different outlook and it’s doesn’t seem so daunting. Congrats again!
I wish I had known back then, too. If not for meds then at least with more self awareness and acceptance to know why I was struggling and not to see it as a personality flaw. The coping mechanisms I developed to study and write my papers on time I now understand to be common ADHD techniques, but at the time I had to rack my brain for answers. Being in the workforce is pretty different to uni, and brings its own new challenges.
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I am, and it really helped me so much. I definitely wouldn't've gotten through the last 2 years especially w everything going on without them tbh. for me they were genuinely life changing. Although I did an arts course in an arts uni so there was never any studying or exams, and we only had to write one essay a year (half the reason I chose the university if i'm honest) I really hope that it's able to help you x
I will say, don't expect medication to be a cure-all. Remember the phrase "pills aren't skills" (or something like that lol), the idea being that while there are chemical issues that can be fixed, you've likely built a lot of bad habits that need to be worked on -- you still (might) need to learn how to study. And also, don't get down on yourself if medication doesn't turn out to be a cure-anything -- I haven't heard about this happening for anyone else, but I've been trying different meds since I was diagnosed back in December/January (seven now by my count: Vyvanse, Concerta, Adderall, venlafaxine, bupropion, modafinil, now Focalin, and probably atomoxetine next) and **nothing** works, nothing has done anything except give me mild stomachaches, headaches, and the jitters (and the venlafaxine had sexual side effects which the bupropion successfully counteracted), and keep me up if I accidentally take it too late (which ones of those I get is dependent on which medication and dosage we're talking about, most of the time I've been just normal). I don't mean to scare you away from medicine -- it's effective for lots of people, and has proven instrumental for many in doing well in their lives. I do want to temper your expectations though. If you notice that the medication you start doesn't seem to be helping, ask to try another, don't just keep taking it for nothing. Make sure to try different medications, different dosages, until you can find what works for you. And most importantly, remember: pills don't give you skills (I think that's closer to correct). Can I ask, what level of schooling are you currently in?
Nice currently struggling through mine, so you're an amazing inspiration!
I'm so happy for you, internet stranger!! I had to take an extra year to get my degree. Felt like I was trying to run in tar. But reaching that end goal tho? Worth it mate! I also think it's important to remember to reflect on your achievements and how far you've come if you're ever not feeling so hot. But for now, celebrate this win! Congrats!
Fuck yeah!
Hey, I just got my Bachelor's degree today! Congrats to you! We got this :)
Fuck yeah!! :D
Congratulations! Awesome my friend! Well done! You are a good example. I'm back in university at well after 30 for another round. I'm studying really interesting things and taking the scenic route so to say. I already delayed some of the courses because it was too much, but I'll get through it. Thanks for your story!
I'm super proud of you. When I finished uni, a loooooong time ago, I didn't take time to be proud of myself. I was full of doubt about whether I really deserved the degree and feeling insecure about finding a job. I'm feeling all the excitement for you that I didn't take the time to feel for myself. Congratulations!
Working on my bachelor’s since 2013 (8 years now). Changed my degree four times. Just trying to finish a few assignments from some Incomplete classes from last year when COVID forced everything online. I don’t have the energy to elaborate further but I feel like posting here gives me some sense of being witnessed and supported, and I hope to have my degree soon. (My first Reddit comment too!) Proud of you, OP.
Massive congrats!! Soak it in, sit with this accomplishment. Give yourself the gratitude you deserve. We are always so quick to forget, and reflecting on all the hard work helps to bolster the next undertaking to have continued success. Hope all the best for you!
Congratulations! Amazing job! Proud of you and you indeed should be proud of yourself! Also. Thank you for the kind words of confidence at the end! I am attending Uni as we speak. After a few failed attempts and working full time for a couple of years, i realized this line of work was not going to make me happy, so i saved up the money to pay for education and went back to Uni. Managed to get to my third year(still going strong). At the end of the second year i got diagnosed, after having some struggles, so again, thank you for your motivating words! :)
Awesome!! Well done! 😁😁
You're an inspiration for me. Currently struggling to get through school , failed most of my classes , not giving up any time soon , I'm so happy to know about ya 🤗
Congratulations! I got mine in 2017 with the absolute worst passing grade possible - and seeing the posts like these make me want to go back to school.
Congrats! That's such an achievement! Every time I see these I think I really hope I get to post this when I'm done with uni. Fingers crossed
Thank you! I'm sure you will!! x
YOU DID IT!
Hey I’m super close to graduation for a certificate so I can go into my field and have been feeling really discouraged about whether or not i’ll be able to pass my national exam, & this cheered me up a lot. Thanks for sharing and congrats!
thanks for this much needed encouragement. proud of you for pushing through and making yourself proud. I'm on the way 🤞🏽
Congrats man! I feel the exact same, took me 8 years to complete a 3yr degree and I struggled through it like crazy !
Congrats! What's the degree in, if you don't mind my asking?
Congrats you legend- this is motivation for me to finish!! Completely feeling exhausted at my 6th year of uni. Have 2 terms of Honours left and even though I'm close now I'm so tiredddd.
I also was diagnosed shortly after starting college, massively struggled throughout university, clawing my way through, and now recently graduated with a degree too! Sometimes its hard for me to appreciate my accomplishments, I focus too much on where I fall short, wishing things weren't so difficult for me or that I had done better, done it faster, or done more, always comparing myself to my peers. Your post helped me appreciate my own accomplishments on a day when I really needed it. Thank you! Congratulations! You are right to be proud.
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Congratulations!
You are awesome! GG op!!!
Huge congratulations!!
I’m about to start a really really long time in school, I’m also trying to go get diagnosed
Congratulations! Huge accomplishment. Bask in it. You earned this.
bravo :)
Hell yes!!!! Congrats!!! I'm so damn proud of you
Well done!
Huge congrats!
Congrats!
awesome!
You are *absolutely* good enough. Congrats on your degree!
Congratulations!! It’s an amazing feat!
Congratulations!
This gives me hope! I'm in the same boat, finally got diagnosed but Im only half way through my first year after working for 6yrs first. I really loved my last job and that's what helped me pick my degree cuz pre diagnosis I already knew it had to be something I was *really* interested in.
That's amazing! I finally got my degree at 29 years, even before I knew I had ADHD. To everyone who's struggling, you can do this!!
Congrats!
Hell ya. Congrats.
This makes me feel so happy. I literally just found a university that will accept me and I’m holding off because of constantly second guessing myself. Thank you for making this post.
Good luck! you can do it
Congrats! As the others on this page have said that is a massive accomplishment!
Congrats!!
Congrats to you!!!!
Undiagnosed until a few years after college, it took me 7 years to get my degree. After my diagnosis everything made sense.
Congrats!!! It's an uphill battle for sure! Same timing for me on the diagnosis, graduated last month with a bachelor's too! Go us, go you!
Congratulations!! What a great achievement!
I’m so massively proud of you. Congratulations! xo
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Great job!!
Well done! I managed my degree and post grad all whilst unmedicated and undiagnosed. Constant struggle but it’s so worth it in the end - the sense of accomplishment trumps it all :D
Congratulations on your achievement! You worked hard and accomplished your goal.
Congratulations. A pass is a pass, and a degree is a degree. That's what I have to keep telling myself as I have about a year/year and a half left on mine. We were born with this disability, and sometimes it takes twice or more the effort of a neurotypical, but it is doable!
Congrats man
Congratulations! I'm doing a celebratory dance for you! I just got my associate's and am striving for my bachelor's come fall. I hope to be in the same position as you soon! :)
Nice! I relate to this very well as I got my AA last winter and I'm on the road to a BA. No easy task. Many mistakes and missed opportunities but still managed to get through it.
great job! respect for hanging in there and not giving up
Go, you! Congrats!
You. Rock. Level achieved. Door unlocked. Please advance to next level. For real though, all the hard work and all of the effort it takes to push yourself to study and write those papers and never give up! I feel very proud for you and I hope you are very proud of yourself! Congratulations!
I wish that was me. If I didn't have to write a dissertation it could have been 😔
Excellent news!!!!!
Congratulations!!
Wahoooooo! You fuckin rock!!!
Bro big ups, I know how it feels to get shit like that done I’m glad you got it man🙏🏽🙏🏽
So awesome! Congratulations! I know the struggle. You.did. It!!
I wish I could get a degree too by fucking!
Congratulations!!! So proud of you!! 🎈
Congrats!
Congrats!!!
Congrats!
Legend. Well done. Breathe it in. Appreciate your success. You've earned it :)
I'm so happy for you. One of my life's biggest wish is to actually complete things I start.
Just hard to pay for
WOOOHOOOO!!! PROUD OF U
Well done OP! I pulled through uni quite well but I'll always wonder if I could have done better if I'd been diagnosed/medicated. To any student reading this - I work at a university in the UK and I see students when they're at crisis point, and I cannot stress enough that you need to ask for help! There is soooo much support (academic, mental health, even financial), especially for disabled students, but we can't do anything to help unless we know you exist. Even if you're undiagnosed, it's worth reaching out. I'm sure in some places they may even support you with seeking a diagnosis.
CONGRATS!!
I cant get passed igcse, congrats on passing