I have come to a realization that becoming a designer means being extremely time efficient and a “work ahead of schedule” kind of job. As someone who was diagnosed with ADHD in my adult years, it has been a journey and a half trying to navigate life. I tend struggle with deadlines and I procrastinate things until the anxiety of having to do it becomes larger than the actual task at hand. Being in school has brought back old feelings of anxiety when doing tests and feeling dumb for not grasping onto concepts as fast as my peers. But it also has taught me ways in which I can get work handed in on time without feeling afraid of not doing well.
One of the ways I try to stay organized is working on one thing at a time in order of most important to least important, regarding deadlines and weight of assignment. When you are juggling 4-7 classes at once it can become overwhelming and hard to multitask. So, starting on assignments early and completing things one at a time will reassure you that projects are being done thoroughly.
Second, I set early deadlines for myself. I have recently started setting deadlines for my projects 2 days earlier than the actual due date to avoid procrastination. the two remaining days gives me time to make any last minute changes if need be. I have found that this technique has given me opportunities to go back on my work and find things I might have missed while working on it.
Lastly, understanding that I learn and work in different ways than most, but it’s noting to feel shameful for. For years I was educationally misunderstood but when I finally got an answer, I was able to find the right tools that help me understand my mind. I compare it to when teachers would make left handed children write with their right hand. They eventually adapt but it doesn’t feel right, or make sense. Being forced to learn in ways that don’t make sense in your brain isn’t your fault, its how you adapt, and find ways that do help you understand.