Personal development
ADHD PhD peer support group
Neurodivergence, including ADHD, also occurs in academia and can be both a challenge and a strength for PhD candidates. Individuals with ADHD may experience difficulties with time management and organisation, which can impact academic performance and productivity, while others thrive due to their deep focus or creativity.
- Target group
- PhD candidate
What to expect?
As a participant, you decide what topics will be discussed. These can be problems that you are running into and would like advice about from other PhD candidates as well as sharing success stories. Some examples are:
- How do I deal with procrastination and/or deadlines?
- How do I make it clear to my supervisor or colleagues that certain tasks take up more of my time due to ADHD?
- How can I ask my colleague or supervisor for help?
- Which planning tools do others use? What works?
- How can I regulate my energy in a better way?
- Should I inform my supervisor or colleagues of my ADHD struggles?
The group is guided by Ivonne Koomen.
How to register
- Send an email to phdpsychologist@SEA.leidenuniv.nl with subject line: ADHD PhD peer support group.
- In your e-mail, briefly explain why this peer group would be beneficial for you.
- After registration, a short interview will always be scheduled with you first, during which we investigate together whether this group is suitable for you.
One PhD candidate who participated in the support group shares:
'Thanks to all of you of the ADHD group for your incredibly helpful tips and support this week. I just came out of an update chat with my lovely colleague, where I reported back on my progress while subbing for my supervisor, and I’m happy (and relieved!) to share that I was able to handle everything that needed to be done!
Thanks to your advice, I didn’t feel paralyzed or overwhelmed like I feared I might at the start. The anxiety has lifted, and I actually felt confident moving through my tasks. I truly appreciate your kindness and guidance, it made a huge difference. It honestly saved me from what could’ve been a 3-week setback.'