a chaotic grad school vlog 💫 presenting at academic conferences & struggling with time management

The footage in this vlog was recorded at the beginning of the summer, so it only took me a few months to finally finish editing it 🙃
This vlog documents my experience as a PhD student with ADHD as I travel to and present at 3 different conferences in the span of less than 3 weeks. I really struggled with time management during this time, which is reflected in the steady decline of my mental & physical health!
Thanks for watching :)
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#adhd #gradschool #phdlife

[@argophontes]

You're back! 20:00 I'm actively doing that right now! I totally sympathize with the imposter syndrome and the struggling to get out of the "last minute" cycle. It seems like that panic is the only thing that is actively able to push me past the executive dysfunction, however many other methods I try. It's also practically impossible to explain it to people that don't have ADHD, because it's just not something their brains do. I usually tell people some version of "it almost feels like trying to purposefully put your hand on a hot stove, your brain just refuses to let you do the thing", but I'm not convinced that makes people understand it any better. Thanks for all these videos, as an ADHD grad student, I definitely feel heard!

[@sarahbestPhD]

That analogy makes so much sense to me haha! It’s so true that the need for the last minute panic is difficult for other people to understand. I’ve had people suggest I just make up fake deadlines for myself, but that doesn’t work for me-I need that real sense of panic to get out of the executive disfunction. I’m sorry you have this struggle too, but it’s also nice to feel less alone in it!

[@argophontes]

@@sarahbestPhD Yeah, the fake deadlines don't work for me either (I mean, I 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 it's a fake deadline). We'll get there! ...although, I may need to sleep for a week straight afterwards...

[@heraddledbrain]

That's a great analogy! That's exactly what it feels like!

[@MO-en4vj]

Hey! Just watched your vlog. Honestly just : 1) health first-be kind to yourself, 2) never get discouraged, 3) breaking a pattern is difficult, but not anattainable. We set our minds to it and with perseverance & patience, God will give the result -we will master it ✊🏻 (fellow PhD-in-the-making)

[@sarahbestPhD]

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm (slowly) learning more how to be kind to myself and prioritize wellbeing!

[@heraddledbrain]

Sarah, I'm afraid you missed your "meet cute" with the science guy! Lol!

[@katielikesbread]

this whole vlog was very relatable - I'm also a do everything the night before girly :')

[@bluebird6883]

I’m not an academic or anything but honestly loveeee your vlogs and missed your energy!! Plus the topics you throw around regarding studies, dissertation, readings, etc always sound sooo interesting it almost makes me want to go back to school haha

[@sarahbestPhD]

Aw thank you so much, I appreciate it! Sometimes I wish I hadn’t decided to do a PhD, but in the end I do enjoy getting to study things I’m passionate about!

[@heraddledbrain]

Also, as an older ADHDer, I would just throw out the possibility of doing less. That has been the only thing that has worked for me, because I know I'm going to run off on side quests throughout the day and there's just no stopping it. I also just have less energy throughout the day and I know once I hit the wall, pushing past it won't get me very far and will only take away from my energy for the next day. Watching your vlogs, I don't know how you do it all! You have a LOT on your plate. I'm not a PhD student, so I'm sure there's a high expectation on you that I'm not a part of, but just something to consider. I think neurodivergents have to find ways to make the world work for them. I'd hate to see you give up on your dream because we expect the academic world to run us over and the only way to avoid it is to get out. There's a lot of room for change in academia, some of which you're talking about with indigenous inclusion, and there's room for change around neurodivergence in academia. Yet, it won't change if we don't start pushing back. Considering how little they want to pay us for our work, I think there's absolutely room for us to do less, focus our energy where it is most effective, and have a better work-life balance. I hope you find a way that works for you!

[@LifebyRosieJ]

Love the editing of this! I make grad school vlogs too, so this is very academically motivating. have a great semester 😌🍂🫶🏼

[@sarahbestPhD]

Thank you so much! I’ll definitely check out your channel, I love watching grad school vlogs, especially because they help make this process seem a little less lonely. Hope you have a great semester too! 😊✨

[@elenaluisa9179]

Hi, I am an ADHD student and am currently finishing my Linguistics BA. I love your content so much as its very relatable. Its so nice to have ADHD student representation online. The presentation at 7:15 on Indigenous Literature looks really interesting and would relate well to my dissertation. I don't suppose it's possible to share it/share any notes you took? Thanks again :)

[@sarahbestPhD]

Thank you so much for your comment, I’m so glad my content is relatable, as that’s my goal! It’s tough being a student with ADHD, and it can definitely feel lonely, so I love connecting with people who can relate. And that’s very cool, what’s your dissertation on? I can definitely share my notes with you from the presentation-you can email me at [e-mail] and I’ll send them to you 😊

[@ianp7458]

😎 "Promosm"