Feb 3
In Episode #51, Tracy talks about an article that she wrote for ADDitude (It’s the leading media network for parents and adults living with ADHD and for professionals working in the field of ADHD). Since the article touches on the importance of hope, positive emotion, focusing on strengths and how her 17-year-old son did just that to successfully crack his learning code, she invited him on the podcast as her guest and he accepted! If you’re looking for a real ADHD underdog success story you’ll like this one. Markus shares: his experiences at his various high schools (he went to 3!) what worked for his ADHD brain and what didn't, whether he now regrets any of these experiences, how a summer in Europe changed his life, what made him decide to reconsider going to a four-year college right out of high school. the good news he received a few days ago the invaluable lessons he’s learned how being open about his ADHD serves him well his advice for a teacher who has an ADHD student how his creativity makes him different advice for a teen who might be listening to this podcast and might be where Markus was a year ago.
Tracy talks about: The fact that there is no such thing as failure, only lessons The importance of focusing on strengths The importance of understanding why we have to learn something in order to learn How environment is so important to the ADHD brain The importance of structure to the ADHD brain Positive emotion How focusing on weaknesses ruins our self-esteem How you don’t find your purpose, you step into it because its always been there Markus also shares a song he wrote, performed and recorded as part of his college portfolio.
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"I think it's really important, but it's really hard to do, depending on where you live."
- Marcus
"I've always just wanted to do it the opposite, because they probably see 1000 essays a year, edited by so many people that clearly just sounded way too. Cookie Cutter and like an English teacher edit it."
- Marcus
"I think to those kids that are struggling, life is such a long period of time. And if you just look at it in a different way, and you take it with a more positive attitude, you always know you'll find a way to succeed."
- Marcus
- Marcus shared his experience attending three different high schools, including a large public high school with over 3000 students and a lack of one-on-one attention from teachers.
- Marcus struggled with school system's expectations, feeling he wasn't "college material."
- Marcus transferred to a small private school for his senior year, flirted with the idea of attending a four-year college, and spent the summer living with his godfather in Munich.
[25:02 - 36:11] College Applications and Experiences
- Marcus shares his experience studying abroad in Europe, which sparked his interest in traveling and exploring new cultures.
- Marcus discussed his experience in high school, where he excelled academically and considered attending a four-year college.
- Marcus and Tracy discuss the model minority myth and its impact on Asian American communities, including the income gap between East and Southeast Asians and the lack of representation in media.
[36:11 - 58:55] ADHD, Creativity, and Education
- Marcus and Tracy discussed how schools should recognize and support students' individual interests and paths, rather than following a one-size-fits-all approach.
- Marcus believes there is an unfair advantage for those who attend schools with resources, as he had the opportunity to go to schools where they could provide more support.
- Marcus advises a teen who is frustrated with school to challenge the status quo and be different, as he believes this is what will help them succeed in the long run.
ADDitudeMAG Article: “What If My Intense Drive Is Because of — Not in Spite of — My ADHD?”
