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Thriving, Not Just Surviving: How I Learned to Advocate for Myself as a Neurodivergent Student

Navigating college as a neurodivergent student can feel like trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. Traditional academic spaces aren’t always built with neurodivergence in mind, making things like rigid deadlines, sensory overload​ and unclear expectations overwhelming. I learned this the hard way when I transitioned from high school to college, where the shift in structure caught me completely off guard. 

In high school, everything had a rhythm. Teachers checked in regularly, assignments were broken down into smaller tasks​ and there was always a sense of guidance. When I got to college, that structure disappeared. Suddenly, I was responsible for keeping track of deadlines buried in lengthy syllabi, navigating dense readings on my own​ and juggling multiple projects with little oversight. I quickly realized that my usual strategies weren’t going to cut it. 

I’ve always thrived in creative and collaborative environments—brainstorming ideas, working on hands-on projects​ and engaging in discussions where ideas flow freely. But when it came to self-regulation, time management​ and long, detail-heavy tasks, I struggled. I lost track of deadlines, underestimated how long assignments would take​ and often found myself overwhelmed, unsure of where to even begin. At first, I thought I just needed to “try harder” or be more disciplined, but that only led to burnout and frustration.

The real turning point came when I started recognizing my challenges for what they were—not personal failures, but signs that I needed to work with my brain, not against it. I reached out to my school’s disability services office and learned about accommodations that could help, like extended deadlines and note-taking support. I also started being more upfront with my professors, explaining that I sometimes needed alternative ways to process information or organize my work. 

Advocating for Yourself in Academic Spaces

Self-advocacy isn’t always easy, but it’s one of the most important skills I’ve developed in college. If you’re neurodivergent and struggling to navigate academic spaces, here are a few things that have helped me: 

• Know Your Needs – Understanding what works for you is the first step. Take note of what helps you focus, process information​ or stay on track. If you’re unsure, reflect on past academic challenges and consider what could have made things easier. 

• Use Campus Resources – Most schools have disability services, tutoring centers​ and academic advisers who can help. Even if you don’t think you qualify for formal accommodations, there may still be resources available to support you. 

• Communicate with Professors – It can feel intimidating, but most professors want to see their students succeed. If you need flexibility or accommodations, reach out early in the semester. A simple email or office hours visit can open up a conversation about what adjustments are possible. 

• Find a Support System – Surround yourself with people who understand and respect your needs. Whether it’s neurodivergent student groups, mentors​ or understanding friends, having a community makes a huge difference. 

• Embrace the Way You Learn – Instead of forcing yourself to fit into a rigid academic mold, find ways to work with your neurodivergence. Use assistive technology, adjust your study environment​ and break tasks into smaller steps. Your brain works differently, and that’s okay. 

College isn’t designed with neurodivergent students in mind, but that doesn’t mean we don’t belong here. Advocating for myself has been a learning curve, but it’s also been empowering. The more I embrace the way my brain works, the more I realize that my neurodivergence isn’t a barrier—it’s just a different way of approaching the world.