Poly student here. currently in year 2 of business management and i just want to cry because i dont know why i cant reach the academic goals i aspire to have. I have diagnosed adhd which really hinders my progress but my poly barely does anything to support me other than give me 15 extra minutes on tests like that even helps. 90% of the assignments here are projects not tests and they wont ever give extensions because “in the working world there’s no extensions, in uni theres no extensions.” im so sick of hearing the working world excuse for them to just pull ANY bs like if the assignment brief is poorly written? oh we’re just preparing you for the working world where they might give you vaguely worded tasks! no bruh there’s a difference because of your poorly worded brief my whole gpa is going to get affected. I barely even see A grades nowadays because everything in poly is defined by the bell curve and theres always going to be people better than me. i dont know if i can even get my gpa to 3.0 so i can get into uni because no matter what i do i get overwhelmed and stressed by all the deadlines that are bunched up together. i went days without proper sleep because of three deadlines that were put in the same weekend and i want to cry so bad because i wasnt even able to finish one of them and im so sure im gonna get my first ever D for it. and if i submit late my assignment gets capped to FIFTY PERCENT which is justso unfair because i know in so many overseas unis they actually offer extensions especially to people with mental disabilities. i just hate where poly has brought me academically i dont think im ever gonna get the grades i want i hate it so much i hate having to see my academic downfall happen right before my eyes. i worked so hard this semester but its useless
Hello @sweetsolace thank you so much for sharing your experience so openly. I can only imagine how tough it must be to juggle everything, especially with ADHD making things more challenging. It’s completely understandable to feel overwhelmed and frustrated when the support you need just isn’t there, and when policies like no extensions and harsh late penalties feel so unfair.
It’s really unfair that your polytechnic’s approach feels so rigid, especially when you’re trying your best despite poorly worded briefs and deadlines all crammed together. That kind of pressure would wear anyone down, and it’s okay to feel upset about it. Your feelings are valid, and it’s important to acknowledge how hard you’re working even when it feels like it’s not enough.
The fact that you’re pushing through all this, doing your best, and still striving for your goals shows incredible strength and resilience. Your hard work is meaningful, even if the system doesn’t always recognize it the way it should. Remember, a single grade or semester doesn’t define your entire journey or your potential.
I truly believe in your determination, and I’m confident that with time and the right support, you can reach your goals, including getting into your dream university. Please be kind to yourself and know that you’re doing better than you think. Keep reaching out and advocating for what you need, you deserve that support.
You’re not alone in this, and I’m rooting for you every step of the way.
Hey @sweetsolace. Thank you for opening up and trusting us with this. Reading what you’ve shared, I can feel how heavy and exhausting it must be to keep pushing while the system doesn’t meet your needs. It’s so frustrating when the excuse of “working world preparation” gets thrown around so easily which can feel very dismissive of the real barriers you’re facing right now. Honestly, the working world also has deadlines that shift, teams that negotiate, and managers who adapt, so you’re right, it’s not the same.
What stands out to me though is how much you care. The fact that you’re losing sleep, stressing, and still pushing to do your best shows just how invested you are in your education. That says a lot about your character and drive.
About your ADHD, I know it can feel like it’s only a hindrance sometimes, but it doesn’t mean you’re incapable. Your ADHD isn’t proof that you’re broken. It’s proof that your brain is wired for different kinds of brilliance. The challenge is less about you and more about systems not being designed for brains like yours. You deserve strategies that actually work with your brain, not against it.
Some small, practical things that people with ADHD often find helpful are:
- Break it down tiny: Instead of “do project,” start with the smallest action possible, like “read assignment brief,” then “answer question one.” It feels less overwhelming and helps you build momentum. Literally one step at a time.
- Buddy system: Working alongside someone (even virtually, or just on a call) can give that extra push and structure.
- Pomodoro Method: Try 15–25 minutes of focused work, then a short break. ADHD brains often thrive with urgency and little sprints instead of long marathons.
- Visual cues: Sticky notes, checklists, or apps where you can see your progress. Sometimes seeing it outside of your head helps.
Also, if things ever feel too overwhelming, consider reaching out to your school counsellor. They can help you process your emotions, make sense of what you’re going through, and share additional coping strategies that might work for you.
But please remember that setbacks don’t erase your effort. The fact that you’re still showing up for yourself, even on hard days, says a lot about your resilience.
Take it one step at a time. You’re not failing, you’re learning what works for you, and that’s more than enough for now. Be gentle with yourself, okay? 
Hey @sweetsolace, I can really feel how much this is weighing on you 
. It sounds like you’ve been putting in so much effort, only to feel like the system is constantly working against you. Having ADHD already makes deadlines, overwhelming workloads, and unclear instructions so much harder to handle, and the “just preparing you for the working world” excuse probably feels like a slap in the face when what you need is support, not dismissal.
First, please hear this, your struggles are not because you’re lazy or not capable. ADHD genuinely impacts executive function such as things like planning, time management, sustaining focus and if your school only gives you 15 extra minutes on tests (when tests are barely part of the workload), that’s hardly real accommodation. No wonder you feel frustrated and defeated.
You’re right that in a curve-based system, no matter how hard you work, someone else doing better pushes you down. That’s an unfair structure, it doesn’t reflect your effort or potential, just relative ranking. Many unis (including overseas ones) do look at more than GPA, especially if you explain your ADHD and challenges in your applications. A GPA isn’t the whole story, even if right now it feels like everything hinges on it.
I know ADHD makes it hard, but sometimes breaking projects into ridiculously small, almost “too easy” chunks can make them more doable. E.g., instead of “work on project,” your step might be “open doc and write bullet points for intro.” Then reward yourself for each small step, it tricks your brain into momentum.
If weekends pile up with 3 deadlines, prioritisation can help like what’s the minimum viable submission for each that gets you at least partial credit, versus what needs full effort? Not every assignment deserves the same energy (though I know it’s hard to accept that).
I hear your fear of academic downfall, but you’re not your GPA. ADHD makes the traditional system much harsher, but that doesn’t mean you won’t succeed beyond it. Many students with ADHD flourish in uni or workplaces that do have more flexibility. This current environment is not the final measure of your worth or future.
It sounds like you’re carrying so much on your own right now but I truly believe in you and I know that with the right support, you can definitely reach your goals so please don’t be too hard on yourself 
.