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spending too long on homework

At my school, my teachers generally give an amount of work that should be done (e.g. 3-5 pages) and an amount of time to complete it in (e.g. 15-30mins). However, in order to write to a sufficient amount for it I need to spend significantly longer (e.g. 2 hours). I have spoken to other students and they don't seem to be struggling with this. I am a soon-to-be year 12.

I have spoken to staff that do emotional support stuff and they always say that I should time myself and then tell the teacher that that is all I could do in the time. Unsurprisingly, this doesn't go down well with the teachers who often tell me to complete the work by another deadline or give me a detention ect. I have told the emotional support staff this but they still won't give me anything but the same advice.

I have also spoken to the teachers themselves about this but they don't take me seriously as "I'm smart". They're not wrong, I always do quite well in my tests and I generally have an understanding of the subjects.

I generally find myself being told to stop being such a perfectionist, however I have tried that but people around me start telling me I'm not trying hard enough. It does not help that I am often late to school.

I have been diagnosed with ADHD, however medication doesn't work for me and there is no other support available.

I know that this is not a problem with my writing speed as I am just as slow if I use the dictate thing on my laptop.

I understand if you read this and think "Maybe school isn't for them" however this applies to more than school. There doesn't seem to be any option for me where I don't run into this undefined problem. I have tried and tried to look for a way - I even managed to keep a positive mindset - but it's been so many years and nothing has got better.

This is more of a rant, however I would appreciate any advice. If your advice is something that I am likely to have heard before, please be prepared for me to have an explanation at hand.

Reply 1

16hdennis

Hi, I had a similar problem going through school as teachers assumed that because I was smart I couldn’t be neurodivergent or have processing problems. I never managed to finish exams, essays or assignments in the time should have been completed in. I find the best way round this was to speak to the SENDco in my college about exams accommodations as these have to be implemented in a class setting as well, if you are eligible for them.

If you have SEND specialists at your school/college , I would definitely recommend talking to them. Also, make sure your teachers are aware you have ADHD and the struggles this causes for you (if you are comfortable doing so). Most of them are probably only getting annoyed because they don’t understand. Exam accommodations such as rest breaks (to give your brain time to reset), or extra time might prove to be helpful for you. Just make sure you approach them early on about this because it can take time to sort everything out for it.

I’m sorry people are treating you like this and that people are saying school isn’t right for you. Just because someone has different needs doesn’t make them less worthy of the experience!

Good luck and let me know how you get on!

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