Hello everyone,

My name is Jay, I was diagnosed with ADHD last year. This was last year as a high school junior, now I am a senior.

The problem is I'm having trouble concentrating and I'm procrastanating. No matter how hard I try, I just end starting homework at 10:00 at night, and with 6 AP classes, this can be a serious problem.

Also I really feel like I'm not achieving my true potential of getting straight A's, I usually miss out with one or two B+'s. It's is really frustrating to try to concentrate, but failing in the end.

Also, do you guys have tips on applying for colleges? I'm looking at Harvard, MIT, and Princeton, will they take into consideration the fact that I struggled with ADHD through most of my High School career with no medical treatment or special accomidations as a student. Will they give special weight to my application due to ADHD, like some miniorities recieve?

Or will they discriminate and reject me on grounds that I have a "disability."

Do you guys have any advice for a teen, who's not taking any medications,

Unweighted GPA out of 4.0: 3.72
Weighted GPA out of 4.0: 4.1
ACT score: 32

Classes for senior year:

AP French
AP Calculus AB
AP Literature/composition
AP Macro economics
AP Biology
AP Chemistry

Welcome to the forums. I noticed you are in Illinois- so am I. what area are
you in? Are you taking meds? Meds help a great deal with concentration.


Hello everyone,

My name is Jay, I was diagnosed with ADHD last year. This was last year as a high school junior, now I am a senior.

The problem is I'm having trouble concentrating and I'm procrastanating. No matter how hard I try, I just end starting homework at 10:00 at night, and with 6 AP classes, this can be a serious problem.

Also I really feel like I'm not achieving my true potential of getting straight A's, I usually miss out with one or two B+'s. It's is really frustrating to try to concentrate, but failing in the end.

Also, do you guys have tips on applying for colleges? I'm looking at Harvard, MIT, and Princeton, will they take into consideration the fact that I struggled with ADHD through most of my High School career with no medical treatment or special accomidations as a student. Will they give special weight to my application due to ADHD, like some miniorities recieve?

Or will they discriminate and reject me on grounds that I have a "disability."

Do you guys have any advice for a teen, who's not taking any medications,

Unweighted GPA out of 4.0: 3.72
Weighted GPA out of 4.0: 4.1
ACT score: 32

Classes for senior year:

AP French
AP Calculus AB
AP Literature/composition
AP Macro economics
AP Biology
AP Chemistry

Welcome, Octavius!!

Concentration is a difficult thing to work on. Meds have worked the best with me.
Something you can try (if you don't want to try meds):

(You'll need a timer for this)
Set the timer for the period of time you want to study. For example - 15 minutes.
Study for those 15 minutes. When the timer goes off, give yourself another specified amount of time for a break (again, set the timer), for instance 15 minutes.
Continue doing this until you're done studying.

You could get into a routine - as soon as you are home from school, do your homework. If you don't get it done, you can't do fun stuff (like putzing on computer, video games, etc).
Or set a time limit - if you don't get homework done by 9pm, you can't do anything fun/relaxing.

As for procrastination, check this thread out:
http://www.addforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=22160

College:
e-mail or call the admissions offices and ask them how they deal with a person who has ADHD (if it's taken in to any kind of consideration). They are the only ones who can give you a definitive response.

Advice to a teen who is not taking meds . . .

Although you feel you are not reaching full potential, it sounds like you're doing well.
Do your best every single day and be proud that you are successful.

What is your secret lol?
I do not understand b/c you seemed to be doing so well with school and everything. How the heck did you, or anyone else come to the conclusion that you might have ADD?

You are not achieving your potiential? Right, b/c of a few B+'s? There must be something you are not telling us. (?)

I mean everyone has these problems! Everyone! Anyone who scores 32 on the ACT couldn't have too bad a time keeping up their concentration...I am so sorry, due to the fact that you're a newb (comparably). I do not mean to sound angry...you must give me more of what is really going on with you in order for me to understand.

Sorry, it just doesn't sound like you are really struggling Octavius..sorry. Please, don't give up! You have a problem keeping up the effort...that's most of your problem right there...find new inspiration. A new reason for your goals.

You scored a 32-with more -or less a 4.0...you needn't worry too much about special consideration for admission, but you should at least ask about it-wouldn't hurt.

Hello everyone,

My name is Jay, I was diagnosed with ADHD last year. This was last year as a high school junior, now I am a senior.

The problem is I'm having trouble concentrating and I'm procrastanating. No matter how hard I try, I just end starting homework at 10:00 at night, and with 6 AP classes, this can be a serious problem.

Also I really feel like I'm not achieving my true potential of getting straight A's, I usually miss out with one or two B+'s. It's is really frustrating to try to concentrate, but failing in the end.As I was reading this part, I could relate to like, EVERYTHING you were saying. I could never concentrate, I'm a procrastinator, and I never felt like I was doing potential. Thing is though, you're doing a lot better than I was; last year, I got a "B" and no "A's". I got so angry with myself, I'd just throw tantrums in my room. I'm also not on meds.

I can tell you this, after being diagnosed with ADD last year helped me a lot. I realized I had to try a little harder, and just do the best I could. Mom and dad wouldn't care, and it shouldn't eat away at me. Plus, I get a lot of support from my mom. Talk to your parents. They're there for you, not against you. Took me awhile to learn that one...

As for the college application, I sadly can't help you with that one; I'm only a freshman. I do know that the more colleges you apply for, the better. And that there are three things that they look at: grades, after school activities, and exam grades. One thing I'm pretty sure about, they don't look at disabilities.

Good luck in your senior year Jay; you can do it dude :)

Paws
ooo
O

Getting high scores on the ACT/SAT is easy, ADHD or no. I got very high scores without using half the time, and this guy sounds very smart so it's not hard to believe at all.

On the other hand, it does seem this is a little extreme. If you were getting a C, I could understand being worried about not reaching potential. But B+s? Do those count as affecting your life seriously enough that you could even get diagnosed with ADD? Doesn't it have to seriously hinder you in two or more aspects of life?

Anyways, good luck with concentrating, it's a problem I think we all have. livinginchaos's advice is good.

What is your secret lol?
I do not understand b/c you seemed to be doing so well with school and everything. How the heck did you, or anyone else come to the conclusion that you might have ADD?

You are not achieving your potiential? Right, b/c of a few B+'s? There must be something you are not telling us. (?)

I mean everyone has these problems! Everyone! Anyone who scores 32 on the ACT couldn't have too bad a time keeping up their concentration...I am so sorry, due to the fact that you're a newb (comparably). I do not mean to sound angry...you must give me more of what is really going on with you in order for me to understand.

Sorry, it just doesn't sound like you are really struggling Octavius..sorry. Please, don't give up! You have a problem keeping up the effort...that's most of your problem right there...find new inspiration. A new reason for your goals.

You scored a 32-with more -or less a 4.0...you needn't worry too much about special consideration for admission, but you should at least ask about it-wouldn't hurt.

thanks for your input guys,

I think some of you guy's are wondering about my diagnosis, to answer some questions:

I haven't always been good at school, In grade school I literally slipped by getting C minuses. I was disruptive and the class clown. My parents were really ashmed of my performance, and that led me to start trying new stratagies. I started working harder, and insisted on taking the gifted test 6th grade. Even though my teacher thought I was joking and stood no chance, I got my parents to insist to the teacher I should take the test. After taking the test, I recieved a 157 on the IQ portion and in the 99 percentile for math. As you could imagine the teacher was really shocked, the dumbest kid in the class scored the highest in school history.

The reason I went in for diagnosis last year was when I'm in class I can hardly sit still, I never could take notes for more than 5 minutes, I would literrally complete homework the period before in another class. The problem was I couldn't concentrate on any one task. I have 15 different video games at my house and I have not compeltely finished or beaten any one of those games, I just get distracted.

It's really hard to describe what goes on in my head, but staying on task is not something I do well. If I do homework at my house, I usually get half done and then I just start watching TV or go on the computer.

Sometimes I get up do homework and then half an hour latter, I discover I've been playing video games for all that time. I could be doing soo much better If I could sit down and study, and compelte an assignment. Maybe I would have an easier time getting A's.

It was really difficult for me to sit down and start and finish anything. I still struggle with keeping on task today. I don't like to be a procrastinator, but no matter what I try it happens again and again. :faint:

I suppose you will have that problem for the rest of your life...there is no getting over that. When I have a problem, I try to find reasons for success, if I do not find those reasons, I am in no mood to try.

The only thing I can suggest to you=some type of medication should be extremely helpful. Adderall works ritalin helps. And stop calling yourself a procrastinator! Don't you hate it when people call you names? Beating yourself up like that does not help. Help you, help yourself

I mean everyone has these problems! Everyone! Anyone who scores 32 on the ACT couldn't have too bad a time keeping up their concentration...I am so sorry, due to the fact that you're a newb (comparably). I do not mean to sound angry...you must give me more of what is really going on with you in order for me to understand.


I think that there are many factors involved how ADD/ADHD affects ACT scores. In my opinion, the ACT is definately *not* an ADD (Inattentive) friendly test.

It's timed. Many of us have information processing issues, especially with repsect to reading (one of the subtests).
It is generally taken on Saturday morning. When I took the ACT, the only artificial stimulation I had was a single can of Mountain Dew. My mother was the one that drove me to the testing center. I was definately not in a test taking mode.
There's a reading subtest (enough said). Of all subtests, I think this is the one that requires the most uninterrupted attention, and is probably the one most likely for us to score poorly on.
The subtests on the ACT are required to be taken and finished sequentially. That is, one cannot go back to an earlier test and make a change.


Here's something else in relationship to the current theme on ADDF about information processing deficits. Without mentioning the term SCT (sluggish cognitive tempo), those with the ADHD Predominantly-Inattentive subtype are more likely to have comorbid learning disabilities than the other two official DSV-IV ADHD subtypes, according to Dr. Barkley. The other types are more associated with behavioral issues, such as ODD (oppositional defiant disorder).

The point here is that not all people with ADHD have the same information processing issues. I know a person in real life with ADHD-Combined that can read and retain information quite well. His issues are more hyperactivity and impulisveness than processing information. When he finds a book that he is interested in, he absorbes the information in a fairly detailed manner.

Although there isn't a high correletion between ACT and IQ scores (unlike the one present between the SAT and IQ scores), I had come across a high IQ society that accepted an ACT score of 29 for admission. The society cutoff was 2-1/3 sigma or about the 99th percentile (135 Weschler (SD 15) or 137 Standord-Binet (SD 16)). Not to be taken as the gospel, but it serves as a possible frame of reference.

My ACT score was pretty poor (slightly above average). I tried to retake the test, but I couldn't find the testing center (I was lost...).

Octavius, have you tried medication? One of the criteria for a diagnosis of ADHD is that there is impairment in functioning. ADDers can't / don't / won't achieve to their potential.

Hello everone,

I have not tried medication. My parents are hesitant about allowing me to take medication. Any advice on how to convince them? My doctor is also hesitant in giving medicine, He thinks that medicine is "unneccessary" and that symptoms disappear when reaching adulthood.

for some people they do-for others it would seem not so much. What do you think about your situation? I say the hell w/ it...being diagnosed definitely should constitute reason for extra-help. I mean what's the point of being diagnosed if you aren't getting any extra help?

Ask your doctor if the symptoms disappear, or are masked by adulthood.

I have not tried medication. My parents are hesitant about allowing me to take medication. Any advice on how to convince them? Are you of legal age?

He thinks that . . . symptoms disappear when reaching adulthood. RUN, don't walk, away from this doctor who knows nothing about ADHD and find someone who does.

Hello everone,

I have not tried medication. My parents are hesitant about allowing me to take medication. Any advice on how to convince them? My doctor is also hesitant in giving medicine, He thinks that medicine is "unneccessary" and that symptoms disappear when reaching adulthood. In a sense, I dont blame your parents for being reluctant about giving you meds. My mom wanted me to see a neurologist, but after calling a few counslors (I don't have one yet; mom's looking though) they said that it depends on how bad it is.

Moral of this story is that if your not already, get your parents to hook you up with a counslor or psychiatrist and they should recommend it. But if you think you need meds that badly, talk to your doctor about it.

Paws
ooo
O

Well, if you want to get into Harvard or MIT, those B+'s will definitely be a concern. I don't know the admissions policies of those schools, but it at the least I don't think they could hold it against you (that being illegal).

Procrastination is also the big pitfall for me. When I actually did the work my grades were very good, and my standardized test scores were also high. But high school was a disaster.

Jay, you don't mention whether you are on medications. From what I have read, procrastination is one of the ADD traits that responds least well to meds, but it has been reported to help at least in some cases.

Hello everone,

I have not tried medication. My parents are hesitant about allowing me to take medication. Any advice on how to convince them? My doctor is also hesitant in giving medicine, He thinks that medicine is "unneccessary" and that symptoms disappear when reaching adulthood.you have to convince yourself that you need it...if procrastination is your sole problem-then, I am not sure either that medication is the answer. I would take livinginchaos' advice very seriously. But you never really know until you try it...

Here's my advice:

-Don't overwhelm yourself; granted, you might be seen as an "overacheiver" but really you need to slow down and put your goals into a priority. It might make you feel "smart" or challenge you if you decide to take 6 AP classes...but maybe you're rushing yourself.

-As for the procrastination thing, I can relate, but like i said before, don't give yourself too much to do, as if you're trying to constantly push yourself. In reality, starting your homework at 10pm with 6 AP classes is not going to get you anywhere. Stop the self-defeat. Give yourself a schedule and follow it ( I know...it's not easy to do.)

But that's my advice. I know its easy to fall into the trap of constantly wanting to do better and be better, but sometimes one has to slow down and be a realist, because in the end you'll do better for yourself if you just slow down, and priortize.

-Sara-

Sounds like you are underestimating the time it takes to finish assignments. That can be a big ADD problem.

It is frustrating because it holds us back from being the successful students that we can obviously be.

-=NO STUDENT, no matter how brilliant, can do well when they start their Homework at 10 PM.=- Why set ourselves up for failure ?!

I always find it tragic how our ADD symptoms keep us from being all we can be.

In the future, i am going to start trying to use Writing Software for assignments.


Emma

Medication works.

In fact, if you do any reading on the science of ADHD, it makes it much easier to see why.

Irrespective of all that, you have something that cannot be taught or learned; resilience.

You're also focusing on your goals and thats important.

The one suggestion I usually make about careers & colleges, is to consider aptitude testing.

Knowing what you're innately good at, can make a huge difference with respect to success or failure.

Good luck & Happy Holidays

mctavish23
(Robert)