How to manage being a programmer with ADHD?
Hello brain!
I’m going to try to explain some experiences from my two journey: ADHD and being a programmer. Even if anyone can benefit from this story, I hope especially ADHD people does.
First of all, I knew that being a programmer is more about being a full-time student even if u’re the best. And I knew that ADHD people sucks at being a student. Looks like a challange, huh? Let me tell you how I handle that.
At the very beginning, when ADHD people have passionate about something, they can’t think about anything else. If you had experience on that hyperfocus before, you should know hyperfocus can harm you if you have interest about programming. Programming is not like a final exam that you need to pass. It’s a lifestyle. Honestly, you might have some problems and fix them with short term focus but most of the time when you feel stuck, you need to take a deep breath and stop. If you don’t, you may disappear in the situation for a while and finally, you may realize that you are overthinking. This kinda ups and downs probably effect your long term motivation. Don’t let it happen.
I realized that learn to programming is like having a baby. When you decide and start learning, you have got to know that:
- You have got a baby. That’s perfect!
- You need time to grow it up. It can’t be an teenager in a couple months.
- Their troubles never ends. Even if they’re old, they need you. You’re going to keep learning all the time. You don’t have to complain about it.
So how ADHD people can be more prepared for possible challanges?
Have a roadmap. Keep written your progress everyday. Cut to pieces your goals, cause it is gonna be a lot. Try to note everything you have learned and keep them close, it’s better if you see it everyday even when you’re on a break, think them as a reminder. Make a challange for yourself everyday. Change your learning resources and style if you don’t feel like it is helpful. And also know that reading, watching, listening is not enough. All programmers know sometimes you can’t go further if you’re not exactly coding.
Once you learned a programming language, it becomes easier to learn another one. Be patient, everyone has a hard time at first.
It seems like there is a lot of term, yes actually there is! That is why I suggest you to note them. Don’t be afraid, you will be able to memorize some of them because you will use them a lot. If you won’t use it, you will have to know where you find it when you need it.
Another one. You will be writing codes that you already know from an old project or something so you won’t need to think again. Use your hyperfocus on that if you can till you have an error.
Don’t try to understand everything at once. Keep learning, that’s how it goes.
