Learning to love a life with ADHD
Syahmina is a Bachelor of Statistics student at a Malaysian university with a diploma in Engineering. A bright young lady, she first discovered Unlocking ADHD (UA) through YouTube and became a member of UA’s Facebook support community. She credits the UA support community with having provided her with direction and a sense of belonging during a time in her life when many things were changing. A socially conscious individual, she has also volunteered with UA.
When and how did you find out you have ADHD?
When I first received my ADHD diagnosis, I was bewildered. My immediate reaction was, “ADHD? What does that even mean?” For some, curiosity kills the cat, but in my case, satisfaction brought it back.
After returning from my diagnosis consultation, I dived into Google, searching for anything and everything about ADHD. I could not recall how long I spent reading, but I vividly remember the realization that hit me. The more I learnt, the more everything started to make sense. It felt like reading about myself in so many ways.
What was life like before diagnosis?
As a child, I always felt different from my peers. No matter how hard I tried, I never truly fit in. I wouldn’t consider myself “gifted,” but during my Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) year [equivalent to the Singapore O-level exams], I unknowingly developed my own unique study methods.
Biology, however, remained a mystery to me. In hindsight, ADHD explains why I could never grasp that syllabus. Oddly enough, I had no trouble remembering facts from other subjects like Quran Sunnah, Syariah Islamiah, or History. Imagination has never been my strength, which made Biology, Physics, and Chemistry especially challenging. Fortunately, the latter two had a significant focus on calculations, which helped me stay afloat.
What was life like post diagnosis?
Receiving the ADHD diagnosis was like putting on glasses for the first time—everything became clearer. I now better understand my needs and accept myself for who I am. I’ve learnt (and unlearnt) that the only validation I truly need is my own. Life hasn’t necessarily become easier, but I’ve grown to love it as it is.
During one of those deep dives on Google, I stumbled across Unlocking ADHD’s YovuTube channel. Their videos resonated with me on such a profound level that, in a moment of impulsivity, I decided to apply as a volunteer for their organisation which was Singapore-based, even though I was from Malaysia.
To my surprise and joy, I was warmly welcomed, and I even became part of their support community on Facebook. UA will always have a special place in my heart for providing me with a sense of belonging and purpose during such a transformative period in my life. And to UA—thank you for opening doors to a community that understands and uplifts me. You’ll always hold a special spot in my heart.
What do you think are your greatest ADHD strengths?
University life brought its own set of challenges. I’ve always been drawn to logic and reasoning, and my younger, less-informed self assumed engineering would fulfil that passion. Four grueling years of a Diploma in Engineering pushed me to my limits, but perseverance—an undeniable ADHD trait—got me through with a CGPA of 3.56.
Despite that achievement, I knew engineering wasn’t my calling. Instead, I pursued a bachelor’s degree in Statistics, and boom! I found the love of my life. Statistics is everything I had been searching for. It fueled my curiosity and fulfilled my sense of purpose. Even with this newfound love for learning, ADHD remains a daily struggle. But knowing I’m studying something I’m passionate about makes all the difference.
How do you manage ADHD in daily life?
I owe so much to my parents, who have loved and supported me in every way they know how—emotionally, mentally, and physically. I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. And to my close friends, Fathin and Syamimi, thank you for being my rocks. Your unwavering support means the world to me.
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