I'm 30 years old, married, and I have one child. I'm going to school part time. I have not worked since I was 21. I have no financial problems what so ever and I probably would never have to work again in my life if I didn't want too. I have no real stress in my life except what I create myself and school. I was diagnosed with ADD a few months ago and put on Adderall and Strattera. School has always been very hard for me. I barely made it through high school. College is even harder obviously. I like school and I really want to learn. If I ever graduate, chances are I'd never use the degree but I just want to know I could if I wanted too. I can't help but wonder how much of my problems in school are ADD related or if I'm just not that smart. For example....we just read "A Midsummer Night's Dream in class". I had to read, reread and research for WEEKS just to understand what the rest of the class understood the 1st time they read it. It's like that with everything. It's almost like someone took a few pages out of my book or took a few steps out of the directions. My husband gets frustrated because he see's me struggling in school and he supports and encourages me only because he knows it's important to me. But he doesn't understand why I'm putting myself through this when I don't really need too.

To me, school is not about getting a job or things like that. I understand your need to complete your education.

There are a couple of things I see from your post.

First, ADD can limit your cognitive abilities in almost any domain. It may take you a lot of extra time to reread stuff and ask others what they think.

Second, you've got to remember that your educational foundation is shaky. If you didn't do well in high school, for example, medication might help you function better in college, but it can't make up for what you've missed up 'til now.

My advice would be to take it slowly (it sounds like you are). One or two classes at a time. Stick to subjects you are interested in as much as possible; that will help you pay attention.

Stick with it. It's worth it. You'll use what you learn in many aspects of life (not just work).

Good luck.

casino wife,
I am in a similar situation. I too am reentering school by choice. I am 33 year old wife, mother of 3 and a student. I barely made it out of high school, barely made it out of undergrad (pre-law) I then worked as a legal corporate paralegal. I am now working on my pre-reqs for my masters prayerfully I will get in. But what helped me read all those novels are those cliff notes, dont let your instructor know. They gave me all i needed to know. Also an added advantage for you now is to get the book on tape. you can listen to it over and over again. I have been diagnosed and I receive special accomodations, like a little more time for the exam and i sit all the way in the back so others cant disturb me. i meet with my teacher weekly ans she helps me go over stuff from the previous class. sometimes, just ask and see what happens.

Hi, I am 46 years old and think wow, I wish I had an education. But I am too scared because i would be going thru what you are going thru. When we have a meeting at work I never understand what people are taliking about while everyone else is nodding their heads. It's like to me chinese was just spoken. I feel like an idiot. I'll say what are you guys talking about?

hey doubleya, just b/c they are shaking their heads like they understand, doesn't mean that you don't. If they told you what they just understood the person speaking-most likely, it would be no more than what you got from it. You're just trying and failing where others haven't even bothered w/.

Casinowife----Don't feel like you are not smart. It would take anyone as long as you to get back into the swing of things. And especially for natural analyzers such as ourselves. You are trying so hard, and it seems that you are doing alright for how much you missed. You are smart. You just don't have the experience yet. You will catch up soon. And try not to be so afraid of people judging you---good people will admire your effort.

I mean come on, not everyone will go to school for self-improvement alone. I definitely respect what you are doing. One thing I would like to undo-people w/o knoweledge. If I could make one change-it would be the ignorance of reality.

You are a great person=don't let anyone tell you that you are wasting your time.

You may never use the actual degree, but it's likely you will use everything else that comes along w/it.

Remember---And when you find yourself in a rut or something, you can always come back to the forums and talk w/me or anyone else.

Always works----When you get to where you think you have reached your limit: Keep going. Try it.

Chances you'll never reach your limit, seem very high-so never give up. Wherever you are in life does not matter. You're never going to reach full capacity. So why do we stop? There is no real reason to stop. Haha, so don't.

All-people are capable of much (huge understatement) more. More than they could ever imagine.

Barb,

Ya know...I never really thought about it like that. Maybe it's not so much that I'm stupid but I just didn't learn it in high school. I have been taking 1-2 classes at a time and I've mainly stuck to the courses that I was really interested in, like psychology and human services. Now I've taken all of the them and I have 39 credits and all thats left is science, math and humanities and I guess thats why I'm struggling. I'm not giving up, even if it takes me 10 years to finish my 2 year degree. All I have is time. I should just be greatfull I have the opportunity and the time instead of complaining. Thanks for the advice, you made a great point.

lee03,

Where do you find cliff notes? I've been going to a website called spark notes. Is that like cliff notes? I have to sit in the front row of every class right in front of the teacher. I'd fall asleep in the back. Going to school and taking care of 3 kids must be tough!!

Thank you Bosipheus! Your reply brought tears to my eyes. One thing that helps me to keep trying are my teachers. It's like they can tell I'm there because I truely want to learn and they can see me struggling. I have been so blessed to have such amazing teachers. They go above and beyond and are accessable day and night. One gave me her home telephone and said to call anytime I need help. One emailed me the other day thanking me (can you believe it?) for not giving up on a certain project in class. And you're so right......I way over analyze every single detail or question. Thank you so much for your response.

For example....we just read "A Midsummer Night's Dream in class". I had to read, reread and research for WEEKS just to understand what the rest of the class understood the 1st time they read it. It's like that with everything.
You know...Shakespeare is REALLY hard to read, because of the language and stuff. I'm sure there were other people in the class who had to do the same thing you did, but they never came out and said anything. They probably just nodded their heads and appeared as if they understood everything. I wouldn't stress too much about not getting it after the 1st reading. There are a lot of students who don't understand stuff taught in class, only they don't speak up about it because they don't want to stand out.

and try sparknotes.com, that site is great.