I FINALLY received my letter & have been approved for a Pell Grant!!
I'm so excited, but nervous, since I found out last week I have ADHD.

What are some good pointers, advice, suggestions?

I'm dreading stuff like essays, etc. And, want my grades to be above average (like when I was in h.s.).

I took classes when I was 20 and 21. I did pretty good, but know I could've done better. At that time, I did not have ADHD - mine, for some reason, has onset later (late 20's - I'm 34 now).

It all depends on how your ADHD effects you, the one thing that helped me a lot in college was to always sit in a spot that gave me opportunity for eye contact with the prof and limited echo problems for voice comprehension.

For example, in a big lecture hall, if you sit far up top, or to the side, the prof's voice will echo, and comprehension is diminished.

If you sit in the center, you get direct audio without echo interference. For me this makes a big difference.

For non lecture hall, small classroom, just sit 1st or 2nd row.

As far as being organized, doing homework and all, well that is something we each have to struggle with. Procrastination/panic was my main motivation strategy in college, because I was unmedicated. So, adrenaline would help me focus.

I do not recommend this strategy.

Hope this helps.

Taking advantage of legal accomodations could also be helpful too.

What are "legal accomodations"?


And, thank you both :)

Accomodations are the requirements of the student to be able to succeed for study time or test taking. The accomodations can vary from the environment to the length of time the student has to take the test or assistance in taking the test. The law considers the needs under the ADA. It's something to look into and most organizations/insitutions offer them. I hope this helps...

Thank you for letting me know about this. It takes some of the pressure off - I was thinking "...maybe going back to school is over my head at this point."

A couple of years ago I had to take a "boot camp" style class immediately before a 6 hour, 250 question, bubble sheet exam. I checked with the industry association proctoring the exam, and explained that I was requesting accomodations under the ADA. They asked that I provide a letter from my doctor, specifying my requirements (in this case, I asked for a computerized test, and/or additional time). They responded that the exam wasn't offered on a computer, but I could have as much time as I wanted.

This took a huge amount of pressure off me (and believe me, I needed the additional time).

Other accomodations can be as specific as you require them to be..i.e. having a note-taker, verbal exams, untimed exams, etc.

I started back to college a year ago and started at a Jr College for my basic courses. I found the Jr College better in the beginning to get use to college life again. The classes are much smaller. I have not yet gotten past the Jr College level, so I am not sure about University level. However, I used the guidelines through the ADA. I met with a counselor up front and found out what they needed and how to go about getting this done. The counselor was not very specific and did not properly explain things to me, so please make sure that you have all of your questions answered.

I had to have a letter from my doctor. After that, I had to go back to the counselors office and provide her with a list of my classes for that semester and she had individual letters that went to each of the professors that I had to provide to the professor. Each letter stated what accomodations that I needed. I have to go to the counselor after I have registered for each semester to get the release letter to give to my professor.

For lecture classes I purchased a digital recorder. I got one that would record up to 6 hours. So for this it is important to sit up front. I did not get the one I should have gotten and plan on doing it. It records your lectures which you can download to your computer and save the lecture on your hard drive or onto a CD. Also, f you have voice software, (which I don't) it may be able to even take the recorded lecture and put it from voice to paper for you.

Another suggestion, and I have not tired this, but someone in class suggested it, is if you have a cell phone with a camera on it, to take pictures of the board or transparencies. I am not sure how well this will work. There is also a digital recorder that has a camera on it. But for these things, please check with your professor.

All are very good suggestions but now that you mention it, to take it a step further, I am aware of some students that receive copies of power points, notes, and transparencies used in class. The bottom line is…it never hurts to ask.

Serena, while people don't "get" ADD in their late 20s, it is possible and probable that they could be diagnosed at such an age or even later in life. Edited by Moderator where did you get diagnosed? you might have a comorbid disability that is masking or compounding your ADD symptoms Edited by Moderator (Learning disabilities, are VERY closely related to ADD)...remember, 99 percent of Md's, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Social worker's do not even totally understand ADD.... ADD doesn't start suddenly when you're an Addult..you usually find out you're ADD/LD when you're in elementary school(maybe jr.high), why? because MOST ADDers struggle with academics....inattention, is a big part of ADD, as I would think almost everyone who comes on here knows.......

I am currently in graduate school (M.S. Psych), however, it is a completely online environment. This provides unique challenges and benefits as an addult diagnosed at 28 (I'm 33 now).

You do need to look into accommodations under the Americans With Disabilities Act. The other members' suggestions are also worth considering. I have learned that an adder may have to try a LOT of different strategies before the "right" combo is found. The College/University Forum is an outstanding place for suggestions and support. :D

smoo

Hi!
This is my advice;
1. First, find out if you need to get a learning disability assessment in order to be accommodated.
2. find out what accommodations you can get, and then sign up for them. You will need to contact the office that handles disability related issues... and then they will probably hook you up with an advisor.
DO THIS BEFORE THE SCHOOL TEAR STARTS!!! It takes a LOOOOOONG time to sort it out.
3. get a tutor if you can... the disability resrouce centre (that's what it's called at my university) may have a free tutoring service for its clients... mine helps me to organize for courses. If you get one now, he/she will be able to guide and support you through the beginning of the year so you get off on the right foot.

I am seeing the head of student health services for medical treatment, and she knows my advisors in Arts academic advising, and with the disability resource centre. They are going to get together with me and discuss all the stuff going on before this year starts.

Make sure you get a good mdication schedule going... timing the meds works really well in helping you keep on track.
Hope this helps.!