After learning more about ADHD, and getting inspiration from YouTube, Ted talk and blogging, I have decided to pursue my dream of getting my degree.
When I worked in my career I earned much more than most people with a degree. Yes I had to fully commit myself to my career, coming in early, staying late, working weekends and neglecting my family, health and happiness but the thrill of solving problems, winning awards and the monthly bonuses made me feel it was all worth the sacrifice. Until the eventual burn out. Now I am home focusing on helping my children with online learning and making our health a priority. I thought it would be a good idea to take some online classes.
I never thought I could truly earn my degree because of my learning disability. I am starting out slow, only taking one class for now. I am wondering if anyone has suggestions on reading comprehension, and note taking suggestions for someone with a learning disability.
Also I would love to hear success stories of people who have earned their degree in spite of their learning disabilities.
Thank you all!
Written by
Khyson2019
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I’m going into the fifth year of my two-year degree. It’s been a rollercoaster, but I plan on going back full time and taking it all the way to grad school.
I’ve found audiobooks to be totally game changing. I always retain more by listening than I do reading, unless I’m just super into the book. I like to do chores while listening since moving around can help focus, plus it’s twice as productive!
My strategy for textbooks is to read chapters back to front, or at least skim backwards before reading. Then I can see where things are going and start thinking about them in advance, otherwise nothing will stick.
As for notes, I don’t have much to add. Definitely see what disability support services and accommodations your school offers though.
It took me 7 years to get my Associates Degree. I was working full time, 40+hours. Some people call it persistence. I call it Spite. As in, I don't care what anybody says or throws at me. I'm getting a piece of paper (my Degree) out of this place and nobody's going to stop me. FYI, my attitude of Spite, doesn't work every time nor for every situation. It can back fire on me.
I completely understand when you say spite! I was told I was too young to be a mother and I would fail, my sons get all A's in school they are respectful, I over do it on vacations and birthdays so they know they are special and loved. I was told I was too young to get married, while it wasn't always easy, out of spite I refuse to let my emotions make me jump to irrational decisions. I was told I wasn't good as others, I threw myself into working a steady career out earning all my cohorts. This was all before I found out I had ADHD. With the new diagnosis my confidence has changed but if I think of all the people who said I can't do something, spite/ego purples me into action.
If you care to hear how my spite/ego has gotten me into some questionable situations. Lol buying a dog on impulse, driving to the snow within snow chains, jumping out of a tree to prove I'm still young(36 year old), you guessed itI fell so hard I thought I broke my foot . This was all just this year. 😆🤣
I'm the type of person who is going 100 mph in the wrong direction. Lol
3) Was/is our 'Spite' one of our best Survival techniques? Unfortunately, as I've gotten older,,,,(God, I hate to say that!!), I can't say I've 'Mellowed' but, I'm not as Spiteful as I used to be. But I sure miss that part of me. He was A LOT of fun!! (And somebody you didn't want to PO).
I'm in the mix of this at the moment, very similar situation other than not being diagnosed until after 3 semesters.
Recommendations
1. really good earplugs and noise canceling headphones... used in conjunction.
2. set you study space to face a wall... alone in room if possible.
3. have everything you need on your desk so you you can get into the zone with no interruptions.
4. make sure you have daylight or soft daylight lightbulbs, no cool tone. well lit but nothing direct.
5. physical books, digital resources are cheaper but the tactile experience is like no other.
6. use colors coded sticky tabs to track, themes, overviews, things to circle back to
7. find the times that you feel productive and dive in.
8. I love my ipad, but I still think handwritten notes is better in many cases. I take notes on graph paper in landscape format as it reduces how many times i need to change lines mid thought.
9. GET accommodations! if only to make sure that these programs are funded and expanded, make sure to get what you need.
10. communicate with your professors and self advocate, being shy helps nobody. I am always trying to explain challenges and hurdles I'm having.
You'll find specifics based on what you are studying, I try to group complimentary courses together to aid in a greater connectivity and understanding.
I try to really sit with the material and explore how my brain wants to discover it rather than forcing it down a path. Make school about a quest for knowledge rather, keeps it interesting and sacred in a way.
I respect everyone has their own experience, but I'd recommend not trying to multitask.
Thank you Radical_change, I really found facing the wall to be a practical recommendation that will benefit both my son and I. I appreciate your strategies for assisting my ADHD while in college. Thank you for advocating for all of us, I will be sure to speak up as well. 😀
Haha, yes, the spite. The driving force behind many of my achievements as well. Its nice to hear how you tackle your degrees and lifes in general or plan to do so now. Learning more about adhd every day, i start to have such an appreciation for our achievements.
I received my ADD diagnosis and treatment just before I started my nursing degree - at age 50. I was the oldest in all my classes.A good therapist along with ADHD medication is proven to be the best treatment for ADD/ADHD and show the best results. Dr Daniel Amen has written several great books regarding ADD. He and two of his children have ADHD. I find Dr. Amen to be one of the most knowledgeable regarding ADHD treatment.
ADHD is a valid medical diagnosis. Schools and colleges must make accomodations-- but you have to ask plus make sure ADHD is noted on your school record. A college should be able to tell you what accommodations they offer. Do not hesitate to use any or all accommodations. There is nothing bad or wrong with an ADD brain, it just works/processes differently. You will learn what works for you. Diet affects ADD. Eating high protein/low carb meals (especially breakfast) has shown higher test scores achieved for children and adults.
Thank you Hidden, congratulations on the nursing program, I can't even imagine having to remember all of the medical terminology. I truly appreciate you sharing, it's been incredibly inspiring to know that others who are like me have found a way to succeed! Thank you 😊
I just saw your post and hope that your studies are going well. I thought I'd share some of the things that have worked for me. Maybe one or two of these might work for you. My response is long...sorry, I can't seem to medicate that away🤷♀️.
I was diagnosed with ADHD at 49 after the first year in my current PhD Program in physiology. I made it through undergrad and my masters in nursing by rarely sleeping, working a lot harder than everyone else, general self-neglect and bullheadedness. Please don't do that...please sleep, eat well and exercise...at least sometimes.
I started medication at the beginning of this Spring semester. It has made a significant difference and my studies are more manageable. However I still have ADHD, and that will always be true even medicated. I have to get good sleep and I need to exercise. I struggle with both of these. For me getting sleep means not studying late at night. My mind is better in the morning, and I am a morning person so I get important things done in the morning.
I struggle with group projects because my writing/ working process it different than everyone else and for the obvious reason of inattention. I also require very particular background music and absolutely no interruptions. Because of this, it is easy to be perceived as either not contributing or a control freak. It is true that I am a control freak, but it isn't malicious. I need to set myself up in a certain way to be successful. I am also supremely offended at the slightest insinuation of not pulling my weight. Be ready to make your needs known, but also be ready for a dismissive response.
I struggle with getting started, writing absurdly long papers with long and awkward sentences. I ramble a lot and never quite know when I'm done. So I also struggle with finishing. (This will become obvious to you soon). Sometimes I do find it helpful to dictate instead of type and to have what I've written read back to me. If you are self conscious like me, get over it and let people (you trust) read what you've written, and get feedback.
I struggle also with note taking and truly wish I had a great solution for that. Back in the day when professors wrote on a chalkboard you could keep up with note taking. In the era of powerpoint that is impossible. For me, if I don't take notes, I might as well not come to class and I might as well not read for that matter. I do leave empty space in my notes then come back and fill in detail from reading or other sources with a different colored pen. I take advantage of colors as I can think back and the colors stand out in my mind. When the topic changes, I change colors so flipping through my notes I can easily see when topics change. Plus I love my colorful set of pens and it makes boring task more tolerable. There is software designed for neurodivergent folks that is intended to augment note taking in the context of lectures. I had access to it briefly but only when I was not taking any lecture classes. The name of it escapes me right now. If I come up with it, I will let you know.
On the flip side, when I am focused I am locked in and the earth could crumble around me.
I am good at math and am strangely happy when I am working with math, models and statistics. I am also obsessed with physiologic systems. Figure out what does hold your attention and make the most of that. BTW it has taken working with a therapist for me to say that I am good at anything at all. It doesn't come natural.
I try to shoot for understanding rather than memorization. If you know how components work together it's less to memorize. When it comes to terminology, shoot for understanding the root words, prefixes and suffixes, and the words end up defining themselves. Then you don't really have to memorize (as much).
If you have the option to listen rather than read for at least some of your content that may be helpful. Microsoft word will read text aloud, and will also take dictation. Carefully selected You tube videos can be helpful as well as podcasts. Often I will use these resources to get a basic understanding before attempting to read textbooks or scientific papers or vice versa to help make more clear what I had just read. None of these options were available to me in undergrad or my masters, but they are invaluable to me now.
Even medicated, I am terrible at menial tasks such as labeling specimen tubes (thank God alcohol removes sharpie ink) data entry, and scheduling. I mess up scheduling about 50% of the time and have to send out corrections to all the invitations I've sent (public humiliation😐). These are things that I have to do for my research, and I just know that I have to do these things with headphones and my carefully curated playlist. Remind yourself about what you are good at when this stuff happens.
See what I mean about writing absurdly long papers🤦♀️? If you are still here. One last thing to keep in mind is that imposter syndrome is real, and it affects everyone including neurotypicals, but all the more for us neurodivergents. I have had it every single step of the way and still do. Focus on the things you are good at and own them and know that self doubt is expected. I love the mention of spite! One of my awesome professors (a cancer researcher) told her cousin when she was 9 years old that she was going to cure cancer some day. Her cousin laughed at her. That remains her driving force to this day. She is one of the most passionate, humane and accomplished individuals I have ever met. Many of my best accomplishments and worst failures have been motivated by spite!
Once again I so relate to all you say! Maths strangely calming and giving inner peace, imposter syndrome, using logic instead of pure memorising. How much time have I spent trying to file up and consolidate unrelated facts/info. Sometimes I feel I've done enough torturing my pure little brain with getting through HS, Uni, career. Keeping updated as far as relevant and necessary until I retire of course. But with hyperfocus by now well developed in my work and when something interests me that is not a problem. Sorry, I obviously also tend to write ramble stretch the patience of those reading my thoughts. And again, don't get me wrong. Kudos to all of you out there who are tackling or intending to tackle academics (again).
I do still HATE labeling blood and urine bottles! 😝
First thought last: get your lecturer to send you their lectures. PowerPoint included. With the argument of ADHD surely it's a necessary adaptation.
Lostphone, this is mainly a reply to you because I wanted to read your other replies. Since you wrote a very meaningful reply to my post. Girls/guys, she really is good! And yes her posts are long but every word counts.
I'll be taking a little break waiting for my Lisdexamphetamine to kick in, then going back to the original post Phone replied to as it's all so very interesting! Maybe the meds are already kicking in?! ;^))
Thank you for your kind words, and a big yes to the power point slide request. Anyone listening who hasn’t requested the slides ahead of class should stop what they are doing and request those slides! It really does make a difference especially having them before hand.
Also, the software I mentioned in the reply above is called “Glean”. My university made it available although I didn’t have the chance to use it so can’t vouch from a user perspective.
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