The last exam...took 3.5hrs of sitting in one spot for probability & statistics---nearly 8 full pages of microsoft word study notes. By the time I'd learn something new, I'd lose something learned previously (like that joke Homer makes on the Simpsons). This doesn't include the 'word salad' of trick questions and 4 sentences before the question was being asked. Academia loves their wordy freaking questions. I can always tell if something is written by an NT or neurodivergent bc it feels like NT wording is "another language." I'd spend more time trying to figure out what the heck they're even asking. Compounded by having a reading comprehension learning disability. So not only is it difficult to understand the ?, but by the time I've read down--I haven't retained what I've read. SO FRUSTRATING. Good thing I still love to learn.
I had my cosmetology license & technical degree earned in 2011. But intuition took me in a different way when my managing partner wouldn't head my business advice at the salon we ran together (it was a cozy/hippy salon w/just two chairs). This was 5 months before COVID hit.
That business was open nearly 40 years & closed. Sad....although doing hair is fun...and I'm decently fit, it's EXTREMELY physically demanding & I wanted to get back into corporate & use my mind.
It took 17 years & 5 community colleges & universities.....but I EARNED my BSc Business Degree.
I really have to thank my mom....she saw how I struggled in private school & came up to volunteer (she was a homemaker as her profession) to ensure the teachers weren't picking on me. There wasn't ADHD/ASD diagnosis in Oklahoma in the 90's....they treated me like I was dumb, lazy, a problem.
She always told me I was special--there's no one like me. This made it easier during difficult times, but the attention then made my sister/brother bully me. Both of which, got their degree within 4 years no problems. She never gave up on me. I hope anyone out there trying to navigate the academia world has at least 1 person who knows how smart they are as a cheerleader as they go down the path.
Some days I feel brilliant...I get high scores/perfect and other days...I can't even make food or bathe. Some days getting showered/dressed IS my greatest accomplishment that day.
But I know......I hard-earned every single credit, from a fully accredited school & it took everything I had.
If you're struggling in school...just do a little each day.....you've got this if you want it.
