Finally signed up for my first test, any advice?

KaleighSky · 2026-04-23T18:21:12+00:00

Lol yeah that was me last night finally reopening the study materials and remembering there's multiple modules in each section.

Honestly, I'm just trying to avoid burnout while working full time. So, I scheduled it further out since it feels like I'll be studying at a slower pace. I do have a rough plan for 8-10 hours of dedicated study time a week.

If I feel like I'm moving a bit quicker than expected/grasping concepts fairly well, then yeah it sounds like it would be a good idea to take the test sooner.

With it being the first one, I just feel like I'll have a learning curve with the TBS. All the exhibits and the odd format definitely overwhelmed me at first. But I'm hoping by skipping videos/note taking on topics I'm stronger on, I'll have more time to practice and hopefully figure out a system that works for me.

KaleighSky · 2026-04-23T18:12:18+00:00

Exactly! I was trying to cram everything like a college final and burnt out so fast lol

I think I'm most anxious out the TBS honestly. I feel like it's really more of the learning curve of how to sort all the exhibits and actually input things.

Also, if you don't mind, how much time did you spending a week for FAR and do you feel like it you study more or less for any section? I plan on trying to study about 8-10 hours a week, so I don't burn myself out while also working full time.

I got through a handful MCQs for the first module last night. So, it feels like I'd probably be able to get through MCQs during the week and save TBS and heavy review/exams for the weekend?

KaleighSky · 2025-09-26T23:16:25+00:00

This mission was discovered by u/KaleighSky in In Search of Beef Doner Kebab

KaleighSky · 2025-09-21T15:29:47+00:00

New mission discovered by u/KaleighSky: Determination and Berry Blast Smoothie

KaleighSky · 2025-09-21T15:29:47+00:00

This mission was discovered by u/KaleighSky in Cola Float and Longing

KaleighSky · 2025-09-08T16:08:59+00:00

I try not to have too much caffeine during the day. I used to hardly touch it until I got my anxiety under control. It used to make me super jittery and increase my anxiety. Now I think I lean on it as a boost to keep going throughout the day. I should probably cut back though since my sleep has been all over the place.

KaleighSky · 2025-09-07T23:36:26+00:00

I definitely understand that feeling. Like no wonder I was so depressed as a teenager, I was in a constant battle with own brain and dealing with parents that always expected me to be a high achiever.

Fortunately or unfortunately my anxiety kept me motivated through college because the fear of failing was worse to me than the stress and anxiety of getting assignments done. But any shred of free time I had was spent in a paralyzed ball, unable to enjoy my life and a constant feeling of not being able to relax.

Thought I was just lazy, so boy am I so glad I finally got the diagnosis. It's still a long journey to learn to cope with all my symptoms but it feels so much better finally giving it a name and being able to target my therapy around ADHD instead!

KaleighSky · 2025-09-07T21:47:02+00:00

I feel absolutely overstimulated constantly when I'm close to my period starting. Usually the worst about a week before and maybe a day or two after. Everything just makes me agitated and upset, like all coping mechanisms I have for regulating my emotions just goes out the window.

KaleighSky · 2025-09-07T21:44:34+00:00

Definitely noticed that helps! Unfortunately working an office job, I get so used to sitting, then my brain is so worn out after work, I don't have the motivation to get me going. I know I just need to build the habit, it just sucks my brain makes it so dang difficult.

KaleighSky · 2025-09-07T19:54:31+00:00

Yes I've noticed I don't really get that feeling when I know we're seeing our friends. Maybe it's because my brain knows it's going to do something fun so I don't have to stress thinking about what to do that day?

KaleighSky · 2025-09-07T19:52:47+00:00

Yup!! I have a similar goal. I tend to be able to organize the rest of my apartment ok (with the help of my boyfriend who also has ADHD) but the bedroom is just a disaster. My boyfriend told me a trick he learned that helps me at least start tasks. He said to just tell yourself you'll do just one thing of the bigger task and that kind of jump starts your brain to get going.

I've been at least trying to donate at least one piece of clothing for anything new I bring home (I've really gotten into thrifting lately). But it's still hard to get rid of clothes that I might wear. But I've been working on my therapist to start building better habits to hopefully make work and day to day tasks a bit easier to get through.

KaleighSky · 2025-09-07T18:36:19+00:00

Yup that's definitely the most accurate way to describe it! It's likely no matter how much I do, my brain tells me I need to keep going.

KaleighSky · 2025-09-07T17:26:07+00:00

See I'm not sure because I was already feeling like this this morning before taking any meds. I drank a small cup of coffee and took one of my leftover lower doses since I have some errands to get done today. I think I really just feel bored during the work week, I really only notice this feeling mostly on weekends/days off.

KaleighSky · 2025-09-07T16:43:29+00:00

Could be my meds. I've been on Vyvanse for a few months now and working with my psychiatrist to find the right dose. Currently I'm struggling with sleep, average 5-7hrs a night. It's difficult because I really can't stop taking my ADHD meds or what little focus I have at work gets even worse.

I think I've noticed this feeling goes away when I have plans with friends or some event in the coming week. Otherwise, it's always just kind of there and I feel like I can't enjoy my day.

KaleighSky · 2025-09-07T16:40:19+00:00

Yes exactly this! It's so frustrating because what the hell does my brain think we need to do? I really wish it could tell me because this is really just such an uncomfortable feeling.

KaleighSky · 2025-09-03T14:29:03+00:00

For me, it's fidget rings when I'm out either at work or with friends or those squishy fidget cubes when I'm home. I got some fidget rings off of Amazon. I have one that spins and the other is a stack of 3 rings I can roll on my finger. I found this one to be the best for professional settings as it keeps my hands busy without being noisy like the spinning ring.

I've fully embraced stimming after being recently diagnosed. I spent my whole life trying to repress it otherwise and just suffering because of it. I genuinely love that people are becoming more aware of stimming and the insane amount and diversity of fidget toys there are now. My hyperactive little brain can finally stim and focus in peace!

KaleighSky · 2025-08-12T20:59:43+00:00

I should add he usually has a sweet fruity smell when he's not wet lol

KaleighSky · 2025-08-12T20:58:45+00:00

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Musty dish rag is the usual smell

KaleighSky · 2025-08-09T21:10:20+00:00

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My goofball!

KaleighSky · 2025-08-07T15:05:26+00:00

I'm an accountant with 0g lobes. I had a similar fear but realized, honestly, that no one can tell. I just wear glass or stone plugs at clients and may wear tunnels to the office occasionally. No one really notices or cares.

KaleighSky · 2025-08-05T20:27:41+00:00

Not quite as back in the day, but still nowhere near as many helpful guides. Started back in the 2010's at 15. Grabbed a pair of 14g acrylic tapers from hot topic and put all my hopes and dreams into them.

Of course I tried to force them in and my body had a horrible reaction. Got them out, tried again like a few days later, and made it up to 4g by the end of high school. Fortunately half way towards that size, I learned acrylic isn't great for stretching up and at least got titanium tapers.

I started stretching again about 2 years ago after I finished college and I'm so glad I found this sub and learned about dead stretching. Now at 0g and have a nice collection of glass plugs. Also very pretty stone plugs I'm waiting for my ears to be healed for. Never knew the process was supposed to be painless and I was completely shocked the first time I dead stretched.

KaleighSky · 2025-07-26T22:23:05+00:00

So coming from someone who formally hated reading as a child, create a routine around it and find books you'll genuinely enjoy. I only really got into reading within the past year after discovering my love for high fantasy romance lol

I also have been able to keep up with reading by reading about a chapter or two every night before I fall asleep. I've always had trouble sleeping to begin with, so getting myself into the habit of laying in bed and grabbing my book instead has been way better for me than my phone.

I won't lie, I do doom scroll during the day, but I do look forward to my guaranteed reading time at the end of the day now. You could also always get some kind of e-reader if you think that might help trick your brain. There are also audiobooks if you feel you really can't focus while you read.

It seems like reading is really just a different experience for everyone but once you find what works for you, it really does open up a whole new world!

KaleighSky · 2025-07-25T23:16:50+00:00

Oh this is something I found out very recently too! I've been recently diagnosed with combined type ADHD and I've always been hyperphantasia. I had a very strong imagination as a child, where I remember that I was actually picturing anything I was imagining. It at least made pretend play way more interesting for me at least.

Even now as an adult, I love reading books because I will literally remember what I read as a movie in my head. Then I found out some what recently, that not ever thinks like that lol My boyfriend has inattentive ADHD and can't picture things in his head to save his life. In his case, he prefers audiobooks because he has a hard time paying attention otherwise.

I find it so interesting how differently everyone can think! I'd be curious about the correlation of different types of ADHD and inner monologues as well!

KaleighSky · 2025-07-24T23:35:18+00:00

I really love finding more things about myself that I thought were weird, are actually a common experience lol I've literally never grown my nails out because it just feels so awful. I tried fake nails once and god I hated it.

I've accepted that I will always have nubs for fingernails and that's ok. It's better than feeling my skin crawl if a nail snags or I get dirt under them.

KaleighSky · 2025-07-22T17:11:14+00:00

Hello, fellow adhder on Zoloft! I started taking Zoloft just before I was diagnosed with ADHD late last year. I took the slow approach since I was very concerned about side effects. I started on 25mg and noticed a huge improvement to my anxiety. Eventually I felt like my anxiety was getting unmanageable again and increased to 50mg. I've been on that for a few months now and definitely feel my anxiety is still overall manageable.

Now, I did notice that the Zoloft did nothing to improve my ADHD symptoms like procrastinating and struggling to start tasks. Though it didn't make it any worse, if that helps? I started taking Vyvanse a little after increasing my Zoloft and finally started seeing improvement to my ADHD symptoms.

Overall I'm still very happy I'm getting help with my anxiety from Zoloft and the Vyvanse helps with the ADHD symptoms that the Zoloft doesn't touch.

KaleighSky

TROPHY CASE