The First Ride: When Your Brain Won’t Sit Down
You walk into the station and immediately start scanning.
Who’s loud.
Who’s quiet.
Who looks welcoming.
Who looks like they test people for sport.
Your ADHD brain is noticing everything.
Your introverted nervous system is calculating social energy.
Your self-doubt is whispering, Don’t mess this up.
Here’s the truth:
You are not there to perform.
You are there to learn.
That distinction changes everything.
What’s Actually Happening in Your Brain
If you’re ADHD:
Novel environment = heightened stimulation.
You may talk faster.
You may interrupt.
You may go quiet and hyper-observe.
You may forget small tasks because you’re overwhelmed by input.
If you’re introverted:
The communal living environment feels loud even when it’s not.
You may need silence but can’t find it.
You’ll likely replay every interaction later.
If you’re nervous:
You may over-apologize.
You may freeze during simple tasks.
You may interpret neutral feedback as personal failure.
None of this means you don’t belong.
It means your system is adjusting.
How to Navigate It — Practically
1. Arrive Early. Slow Yourself Down.
Give yourself 10–15 minutes before start time.
Sit in your car.
Breathe.
Tell yourself:
“I don’t need to impress anyone. I just need to be teachable.”
That one sentence will anchor you.
2. Have a Simple Intro Script
ADHD brains sometimes overshare.
Nervous brains sometimes under-speak.
Have a middle ground ready:
“Hey, I’m really looking forward to learning today. If there’s anything specific you’d like me to focus on, I’m all in.”
Short. Calm. Confident.
No performance. Just willingness.
3. When the Tones Drop
Your brain might go blank.
That’s okay.
Instead of trying to look cool:
Grab your assigned gear.
Confirm your seat.
Ask quietly if unsure.
Stay one step behind your preceptor.
You are not expected to lead.
You are expected to observe and assist safely.
4. Control the Fast Talking
If you notice yourself talking fast:
Slow your breathing.
Lower your tone slightly.
Pause before answering.
Silence is not incompetence.
Silence is composure.
5. Give Yourself a Reset Space
Introvert + ADHD combo means you burn energy fast.
After a call:
Step outside for 60 seconds.
Wash your hands slowly.
Regulate your breathing.
You don’t need a 30-minute recharge.
You need micro-resets.
What NOT to Do
Don’t:
Apologize for existing.
Pretend you know something you don’t.
Shut down completely if corrected.
Interpret every neutral look as judgment.
Correction is part of training.
It is not a verdict on your future.
The Hidden Strength You Bring
Let’s be honest.
ADHD + introvert students often:
Notice subtle patient changes others miss.
Hyperfocus during chaos.
Reflect deeply after calls.
Care more than they show.
You may not be the loudest one in the rig.
But you might be the one who sees the detail that matters.
Reflective Pause
After your first ride, ask yourself:
What went well?
Where did I feel most anxious?
What did I learn about myself?
Did I assume something about others that may not be true?
Reflection turns fear into growth.
If You’re Extremely Nervous
Let me say this clearly:
Almost everyone remembers their first ride as terrifying.
The confident ones?
They were nervous too. They just masked it differently.
Courage in EMS isn’t lack of fear.
It’s showing up anyway.
Final Truth
You don’t have to be the loudest.
You don’t have to be the fastest.
You don’t have to be the most experienced.
You just have to be present.
Teachable.
Safe.
Willing.
The fire service doesn’t just need noise.
It needs thinkers.
Observers.
Grounded responders.
And that might be exactly who you are becoming.
