May 24
Join Tracy and her delightful guest, 18-year-old Lucy Van den Heuvel. At 16 Lucy left high school, not knowing how she was going to go forward with her education. She eventually found a college that accepted students as young as 16, and applied. In May, Lucy will graduate from Bard College at Simon’s Rock in Massachusetts, where she will receive her Associates of Arts degree instead of a high school diploma. In college she is studying sustainable agriculture, and co-manages the campus farm. When she’s not farming or studying, she spends her time hiking, oil painting, rock climbing, and crocheting.
Today she looks at the decision to leave high school without graduating as one of the best she’s ever made. Lucy shares the circumstances surrounding her ADHD diagnosis, Her childhood symptoms, How her love of storytime got her into trouble in pre-K, Her life-long struggle with school, Her struggle with anxiety, Why she decided to drop out of high school, Why Bard college was the perfect fit for her curious brain, Her plans after graduation, What has changed since she was diagnosed, The ADHD traits that she feels are responsible for her success?
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"I always hated school, like I said, but I never had that much trouble performing with academics, even though I had trouble with paying attention."
- Lucy Van den Heuvel
"I didn't know I was going to do, but I knew I was going to do something."
- Lucy Van den Heuvel
"I just given up with kind of fitting in, I knew that I couldn't do that path that was cut out for everyone that everyone else had such an easier time with, compared to me."
- Lucy Van den Heuvel
- Lucy shares her experiences with ADHD, including difficulty paying attention and sensory issues, and how it was not recognized until later in life.
- Lucy shares her experiences with ADHD and how it has impacted her life, including being yelled at by teachers and feeling the need to repress emotions.
- Lucy struggled in high school, feeling like she didn't fit in or learn much academically, despite getting good grades in middle school.
[23:41 - 40:30] Alternative Education
- Lucy dropped out of high school after struggling with mental health issues and feeling unsupported by her mother, but then spent the summer working on a farm and seeking therapy to figure out her next steps.
- Lucy researches alternative schools after feeling incapable of learning in a traditional setting.
- Lucy discusses her experience at a small liberal arts college, highlighting the flexibility and personalization of her academic program.
[40:30 - 47:19] ADHD, Anxiety, and Entrepreneurship
- Lucy shares how her ADHD diagnosis and accessibility resources at Bard have helped her connect with others and manage her condition.
- Lucy shares her experiences with ADHD and anxiety, and how she uses her sensitivity to be a good listener.
- Lucy shares her experiences with ADHD and how it has shaped her perspective on life, including her ability to relate to others and find happiness in being different.
