Entrepreneur shares influential story and urges Mayo students not to stress over exams

As Junior Cert and Leaving Cert exams commence, Matthew Gavin, the founder of ADHD Now, is sharing his deeply personal journey to encourage students to stay calm and not stress over their results. With his own story of overcoming significant challenges to achieve entrepreneurial success, Matthew aims to provide reassurance to students and their families during this high-pressure time.

Although Matthew did not achieve the results he had hoped for and was only diagnosed in his late 20s with ADHD, he went on to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Management and Coaching from Technological University Dublin. Today, he is the founder and CEO of ADHD Now, a company dedicated to providing ADHD services and support.

Matthew also faced incredible personal challenges during his Leaving Cert. The week before his exams started, his mother suffered a brain haemorrhage, and Matthew spent his days travelling by bus from the exam hall to the intensive care unit at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin. Despite these overwhelming circumstances, Matthew persevered and completed his exams.

"I understand the pressure and anxiety that come with these exams," Matthew says. "But it's important to remember that your results do not define your worth or your future success. I didn't get the results I wanted, but that didn't stop me from pursuing my passions and finding my own path through life."

Matthew's Message to Students:

- Stay Calm: It's natural to feel stressed, but try to stay calm and focused on doing your best.

- Your Results Don't Define You: Many successful people didn't get the results they wanted but still achieved great things.

- Explore Different Paths: If you don't get into your desired results, remember there are many paths to success.

- Take Care of Your Mental Health: It's crucial to take care of your mental well-being. Make sure to take breaks, get plenty of rest, and seek support if needed.

Given his own experience, Matthew also offered tips for parents with ADHD.

Tips for Parents of Students with ADHD:

- Establish a Consistent Routine: Help by creating a daily schedule that balances study time, breaks, meals, and relaxation. A consistent routine can provide structure and reduce anxiety during this high-pressure period.

- Use ADHD-Friendly Study Techniques: Encourage the use of visual aids and hands-on activities that make learning more engaging. These tools can help to better understand and retain information, making study sessions more effective and enjoyable.

- Try Encourage a Healthy Lifestyle: Support their well-being with a balanced diet, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep. These healthy habits can improve focus and reduce hyperactivity, contributing to better academic performance and overall well-being.

- Create a Calm Study Environment: Ensure your home is organised and free from unnecessary distractions. A calm and clutter-free space can help your child focus better on their studies. Designate specific areas for different activities, like studying or relaxing.

- Educate and Empower: Learn as much as you can about ADHD to better understand your child’s experiences.

Matthew's story demonstrates that there are many paths to success. "While I enjoyed school, I often struggled due to what I now recognise as ADHD. Despite these challenges and not getting my first-choice course, I discovered my passion in business and technology. This led me to a diverse career working with some of Ireland's best known brands. Today, I run a company dedicated to helping others with ADHD. It's all about finding what you're passionate about and working hard towards it," he explains.