u/adhd_pile_manager

Hi all, I had a very hard upbringing and college was not an option after high school because I struggled with food insecurity among other things back in my home country. Life somehow brought me to the U.S. and I ended up marrying with lovely human who convinced me that it’s never too late to go to college. I was really excited about coming to AU, but I found it really hard to make friends and I’m not sure if it’s related to me being way older than them (I’m at 29 years old sophomore). I am very social but I’ve been feeling really isolated in all my courses.

Is there anybody who’s undergrad and at this age group like me?

edit: oops, I meant "undergrad" in the title

Hi everybody, I'm internship hunting right now and I realize that most intern positions require great writing skills, which I don't consider to have, so I’m desperate for help.

I consider myself a good writer in my native language, but I’m struggling to achieve the same skill level in English. I immigrated to a country where English is the main language and am also studying undergrad here.

The issue is that now that I’m looking for internships, they all require an ‘impeccable’ writing, which I most certainly don’t have. I started college two years ago, and I am ashamed to say that I have been using AI to help me express my thoughts (by the way, I'm not using AI to write this post). Not to defend myself, but the way I’ve been using AI is not copying and pasting, but rather spending HOURS with it because I do all the research (of course), think what I want to say and then ask the AI how I can connect MY ideas smoothly. Sometimes I wonder if it would be faster to write in my native language and then translate it. But the gist is that I use AI more like a conversation with a coach.

I’ve been trying to stop relying on AI because I know it’s not ethical to use it and it’s also preventing me from improving my academic writing. But it’s really hard because I’m afraid that if I don’t have somebody review my writing, I won’t know if what I’m saying makes sense. I also struggle a lot with my self-esteem and I never feel confident on my writing.

I tried using the writing center at my school but it was not helpful. The one time I went there to ask help with a paper, the advisor was googling a bunch of things and pretty much reading the AI responses to me lol.

I also read a lot. Pretty much all I speak and read now is in English because of where I live. So I feel like I have a decent exposure to the language, but certainly less than somebody who's gone to high school in the U.S.

I’ve been trying to use Copilot’s study & learn agent, which is programmed to be a coach and will ask me questions so that I can connect the ideas myself. So far, that has been helpful. But I would love to stop using AI for any type of writing assistance and improve my writing on my own. Otherwise, I’ll never be able to get an internship because they obviously won't allow AI assisted writing. I also want to be proud of my writing instead of feeling shame because I know that even though it’s my ideas, I didn’t do all the work.

Based on my writing level on this post, I think it’s evident that I can write in English without using AI. But I feel like this writing level is not enough for academic writing. The type of internships I want require me to write policy briefs, memorandums, or communications type of documents. I also get really in my head and sometimes don’t know how to connect my ideas or what language to use, so writing policy briefs feel so impossible right now.

I think I should stop using AI now and figure out a way to improve my writing, or it's going to ruin my progress/career.

Any advice?

Throwaway account because I am a little embarrassed to post on my main.

(disclaimer: I used AI to help me organize my thoughts for this post. Yes, I see the irony loll)

Hi everyone, I am looking for recommendations for a professional organizer in DC.

I was recently diagnosed with ADHD and suddenly everything makes sense. The mess, the overwhelm, everything. I'm still processing the diagnosis, but one thing I know is that my environment is dragging me down and I need help.

My wife and I live in a 2-bed apartment (~800 sqft). It's not a hoarding situation, just cluttered and disorganized, especially our shared bedroom where my clothes, desk, and our bed are. My wife keeps her office spotless; meanwhile you can basically see where her organization ends and my ADHD begins lol.

The mess is affecting my mental health and stressing my relationship with my wife. She's busy and has her own physical health things going on, I'm overwhelmed, and I can't dig out of this alone.

What I'm looking for:

• An organizer experienced with ADHD clients. Someone who builds systems that work with my brain, not someone who just tells me to buy bins
• Patient and non-judgmental (I'm already embarrassed enough tbh)
• Also considering a deep cleaning service after the organizing, so cleaner recs welcome too

Budget reality: I'm still in school so money is tight, but I'm desperate enough to invest. Just need to find someone reasonable and reliable.

Quick questions:

• What should I expect to pay for a 2-bed this size (800sqft)?
• Do I need to be home? We have two pets.
• Is it weird to ask about background checks/bonding? I've never done this before.
• Has anyone with ADHD actually had a lasting positive experience?

Thanks in advance 💜