Blog: Getting diagnosed with ADHD at university
Written by Robert Hunt
Hi, I’m Robert, a Chemical Engineering student here at UoB – currently resitting part of my second year! I have Autism and was also very recently diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), in July 2024. It’s been an enlightening experience for me – and I want to take you through what it’s been like so far!
Before uni
I came into uni knowing about my autism. I was diagnosed when I was 11, and anyone who spent a week with me with me could have told you I was autistic. I have a lot of telltale signs: social difficulties, problems with eye contact, speaking like a dictionary and a noticeable Pokémon obsession. Conversely, I only got my ADHD diagnosis in July 2024, after I’d failed 60 credits of my second year. As it turns out, it runs in the family – my mum got diagnosed with it in September!
Pretty much everyone, myself included, finds Chemical Engineering rough at uni. But even with that in mind, I wasn’t expecting to feel the way I did at the end of second year. I always felt like I was coasting through studies, even before uni,but every time I tried to “get serious”, my brain wouldn’t do what I wanted it to. It felt at odds with the smart, studious image everyone had of me. Every time I failed or did badly, I felt like I was letting everyone down – and I didn’t belong with the others, who all had it together.
Accepting myself
It's no exaggeration to say that my ADHD diagnosis is one of the main reasons I’m still here. Most of the symptoms, like poor organisation, timekeeping and attention span, were often just chalked up to being young or not taking stuff seriously. Being able to hold my focus for the first time was great – I felt like I could enjoy things properly, and that was a miracle for me. I was hoping to avoid going private, but without it, I wouldn’t have felt confident enough to continue my academic career at all. I’d probably have given up on higher education entirely.
When it looks like everyone’s trying hard and doing well, it’s easy to feel like you don’t deserve to be there. Even after, when I’d seen how the medication helped, I still wondered if I belonged here, or whether I was wasting space. My friends were constant reminders that no matter what, I’d have a place. I’m more at peace with myself now than I ever was – knowing I have both strengths and weaknesses, instead of just weaknesses.
As of writing this, I’m resitting two of my second year modules, got myself a part time job doing social media (hello Student Content Shaper scheme!), and helped run a bunch of society events I’m really proud of. I’m far from perfect: I’m still frequently late, easily distracted and still need to figure out a good work/life balance. But I’m happier academically and socially - at least until exams roll around!
Some final words from me to you
If you have ADHD, or suspect you do, imposter syndrome can set in easily - especially if your brain rarely does what you want it to. But you are capable of great things. You’re more than your attention span, and you’re way more than your grades. If there’s any advice I could give, it’s to keep an open mind – it’s never too late for your understanding of yourself to change completely. Things will work out, but rarely in the way that you’d expect!
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