Hi, I need some serious advice. I am a college student with ADD since I was borned. I was choosen among the top 3% percent in my school to volunteer to be an Intro leader. An Intro leader is a staff member who provides orientation to incoming freshman. This is a huge deal in my school, is four times during the summer where we spend 3 entire days with hundreds of students, acting, playing games, signing people from classes, explaining and guiding students through college life, etc. There's however, this one game (I am sure you all played it before) at the beginning of each session that consists on memorizing the names of 20 people. We will sit on a circle and link the first letter of an adjective with the name of the person, for example: Awesome-Abby, Fantastic-Freddy, Pretty-Page, etc. Every person says the names that came before him or her and then add his name to the list. As an INTRO leader we have to go last. I'm sitting there forcing those names in my head. Most people fly through the whole game, they might need help with on or two and that's it. You guessed right, as soon as my turn comes up, I can't remember a lot of them.

I cannot tell you how frustrating this is. INTRO leaders are supposed to represent the best from our school and is a huge deal. I am supposed to lead this new kids through college life but my whole reputation and credibility is lost because of this stupid game. This happened to me twice. After we were done I was sweating cold, I felt I was drowning in frustration because this senior high school graduates kids could do it and not me, a senior in college. Last time I asked to go first, but my INTRO buddies laughed at me. The next session starts this Sunday, I am off meds for the summer but I am thinking in taking Ritalin just to get through it. I don't know what else to do, help!!!

This may not work for you but it helps me out sometimes ...

When I meet new people, I often try to think of something that will help me remember their name.

Example:
I met a man with a large nose and small eyes .... who reminded me of a camel. Lucky for me - his name was Joe. So I think of a camel when I see him ... Camel Joe to be exact.

It is like the way I learn ... I need cues/devices from the environment to remember.


If you want better examples just ask.

- Ane

dreamsound--

One -- if you are last -- it is hard to remember "hundreds" of names in a short period of time. Don't beat yourself up over this.

Two--can you pass out name tags at the begining of the sessions? It would be a hlep to everyone.

Three -- can you keep a notepad with you to write down names and salient information?

In small groups, I come right out and say, "I am sorry but I have forgotten your name. It takes me awhile." Once they say their name, I try to use it immediately. This usually breaks the ice because almost everyone can identify with not remembering names upon first introduction.

Good Luck, Ann

I give everyone nicknames. I actually have a few friends that I don't know there real names. Nicknames I can remember for some reason. I think cus they are fun and I get to be creative and make an interesting name for each person.

If you mess it all up, just laugh it off like it doesn't bother you. In five minutes nobody will remember. All those kids are going to be too worried about making a good impression themselves to care about you not remembering the names. You might be trying so hard that you get too nervous to remember anything. Can you get a list of the participants before they come? It might help if you're already familiar with the names before you start. Nobody's good at everything, so if you don't beat yourself up about it, nobody else will either.

I am off meds for the summer How do you feel about that now?

Outsider, good job, didn't think about that. I do get a list of all their names and I can look at that list for a while the night before! Also, yes right on, all these kids are worried about making a good impression themselves and a lot of them forgot my mistake.

Imnapl, honest answer, crappy. I'm having a harder time concentrating than when I started the meds :(.

Everyone else, thanks for the comments.