Resources or Tips for College Level Chemistry/Math Calculations?

[username-20minlater]

Hi! The problem I'm having now is that I went back to college after retiring to be in the healthcare field. I'm finding that I'm having problems with completing calculations during timed homework, lab or exams. Does anyone know of any strategies specific to doing calculations under pressure or resources that might have information?

[curious-george]

Have you looked into getting extension accomodation? Most accredited programs will offer it with a diagnosis.

[username-20minlater in reply to curious-george]

I just got everything approved with disability services yesterday. I'm not sure what even to ask for other than extra time on tests and to take them in a quiet environment. Do they normally allow extra time on lab assignments? I think I need a break between the lecture to digest the material and rest my brain before I'm tested on it in lab. I just can't learn that quickly without a lot of anxiety. I'm literally sweating after completing the questions and 9 out of 10 times it's little errors.

[Gettingittogether in reply to username-20minlater]

If you can identify that sweating and anxiety, then that could very much be treatable. So ask for WHAT YOU NEED. There are no rules. Colleges can be flexible. You can amend what you need over time ... So that's a great process: to learn what you need to concentrate and remember well.

And back to the anxiety and panic you get, that's treatable ... with therapy and/or with meds. Now, it has to be a really good therapist, who gets you, maybe one who has a focus on anxiety ... cognitive behavioral can be excellent ... and meds can help you there.

You can pursue both strategies at the same time. Ask for accommodations based on where you are right now. But get to therapy and work on that anxiety. It really won't be that hard, I think ...There are multiple avenues of improvement. One, you get scared but you learn not to freak out about being scared ... Getting scared does not trigger more fear ... and you learn how to get scared and even freak out for a bit but then to calm yourself and get back on track. There's often an element of helplessness that comes on with panic and fear ... There are strategies to undo that sense of helplessness. And yes, all of this can be made worse with ADHD. But don't assume you are at your full functioning capacity right now.

Confession: I had no idea how much anxiety I was carrying around. I went to therapy for help with ADHD (in addition to my meds) ... and we didn't do a lot of work on ADHD (other than acceptance and de-shaming) ... over time, my anxiety plummeted. And then I would practice calming myself whenever I felt fear ... I was SHOCKED by how much anxiety I had been carrying. I had a history of depression and anxiety just never got on my radar. Looking back, I see that anxiety ran in my family ...

Once that anxiety in me calmed, then I was really able to do more to manage my ADHD. Part of dealing with ADHD is setting goals, avoiding helplessness. But we don't achieve change, especially big change, right away. If we go to panic, we will give up on change even if we've made a lot of progress.

Good luck.

[username-20minlater in reply to Gettingittogether]

Thank you so much for your response! I've been reading up on ADHD and anxiety. It feels reassuring to know that there are others who have went through what I'm going through or that I should be able to just deal with the symptoms.

[Gettingittogether]

BTW: I'll add ... I'm a college teacher and I get accommodation forms from students. I don't even look at them. Not in a negative way, but I basically email the student to tell me what they need. It isn't always clear from the form (from the university saying I can give an accommodation) ... so I ask the student what they need ...

Translation: there is A LOT of flexibility here for faculty and for the university to make accommodations. It's funny: these days I can almost spot the students with ADHD even without remembering if they asked for an accommodation.

So this comes down to the student basically overcoming shame and asking for what they need. At my university, it's literally that simple. With my own ADHD history, I'm totally flexible (within some wide limits) on deadlines ... Just a note and this is just from a liberal arts major ... In college I submitted probably 75 percent of my papers late ... sometimes a day late, sometimes two ... maybe more ... I cannot recall a single instance of being penalized for doing so ... Now, there are some hardline sticklers out there. I'm just sharing that you don't want to assume that all professors are toughies. In fact, let's say an assignment from students comes in on Wednesday night... Well, I don't grade the things until maybe starting Monday ... I don't have time to look for who submitted when ... that would slow me down ... so I just grade!

I make it a point to notice the ADHD students who are really great ... and I've written about them here. They don't shame themselves for the condition. They ask for what they need. They reach out to professors! ... They go to office hours. BTW: ALWAYS go to office hours, especially when you're behind and you have ADHD. It's the hardest thing in the world for an insecure student to take. I get that.

But I'm always kinder and nicer to a student who shows up in my office. And my colleagues say the same thing. One, showing up indicates that you care. Right there, something clicks in brain. Once I'm assured the student cares and is trying, I automatically (this isn't even a decision)--I automatically begin to work with the students.

Another tip: some of my ADHD students (and other students) have trouble prioritizing when they fall behind ... they feel guilty, they feel ashamed, and they get overwhelmed. The professor can help you with prioritizing. And I can quickly assess how far a student is behind and say, ok, do this, skip that, skip that, do this ... and catch up by X date.

It's funny: in judging the work facing my students I am EXCELLENT. In judging how long work will take for myself, I'm not nearly as good or as reasonable!

To sum up, all of these steps that I see the really effective ADHD students taking, they require a certain amount of self-acceptance. These students have hugely supportive and helpful parents and most of them did therapy and student groups and study coaching and on and on ... And I see the wonderful results. That's why I highly recommend therapy for yourself as you confront the pressures and challenges of returning to school.

Literally ALL of my top ADHD students did more than just medication.

[username-20minlater in reply to Gettingittogether]

Thank you! I am horrible about asking for help. My school has been great about the accomodations. I just need to figure out what I need and get over myself feeling like I'm being a burden and just ask.

[mswatsox]

Ask your doctor to write a letter to the disabilities accomodations office advising them to allow additional time for testing or whatever it iswill help. You would be amazedat the accomodations they approve.

[username-20minlater in reply to mswatsox]

They have been fantastic! They gave me access to a note taking program called Glean that has helped so much with organizing my notes.

[STEM_Dad]

As a former math tutor, I can speak on the question of math calculations.

The way to get better and more consistent is: practice.

Any new formula that you have to learn, practice until you feel comfortable.

Do each step of your work separately (don't combine steps).

Follow the Order of Operations (PEMDAS: parentheses, exponents, multiplication & division , addition & subtraction).

i. Work through examples in the book.

ii. Work through similar problems which have answers available.

iii. Work through similar problems you find online.

iv. Use available tutoring services, office hours for the professor & TAs, etc.

v. Any problems that you get wrong on homework and tests, do again on your own, so that you know how to find the correct answer... If you can't figure it out on your own, see point 'iv' above.

Regarding accommodations: sometimes students are expected to memorize math formulas, but I would recommend asking to be allowed to have a note sheet with the formulas written out.

========

I had a pastor for many years who often said, "What's the purpose of a test? To show what you know and what you don't know."

In other words, when you get anything wrong, that indicates where you need to: check your understanding, examine your process (e.g. you might have to take more time on these sorts of problems). When you need extra instructions, go to the experts.

Final thoughts: you're a career professional and you got admitted to university... those prove that you have what it takes. Don't be afraid to ask for help, it isn't a sign of any deficiency in you, only proof that you are human, and we all need each other...some of us just need to ask for help more plainly.

[username-20minlater in reply to STEM_Dad]

Thank you! I haven't been able to find any resources specific to ADHD and calculations. Breaking it down and doing one step at a time as well as covering up the next question until completing the one I'm working on seems to be working. The practice seems to be helping too with my anxiety. I'm actually looking forward to my next exam!

[AHhbee]

Hello I just want to tell you what helped me was YOUTUBE and practice problems I think I just kept practicing problems and just memorizing formulas (which was hard and took time) but after watching YouTube and repetitive practice I ended up with an A in college algebra, calculus and physics/chemistry- I failed them before I found YouTube to be better at explaining things. If you would like the YouTube channel I used message me! (I don’t know right off the back I’ll have to check) Also message me if you want any tips on what helped me and what is it that you’re working on I can direct you to what helped me. I was never good in that area math and everything btw

[username-20minlater in reply to AHhbee]

That is so nice of you! Thank you, this week, I feel like I'm finally starting to make sense of everything. If you don't mind, I'd love to know the YouTube channels that helped you!

[DW44]

Practice practice practice, and be easy on yourself when you make mistakes. Work with friends and ask lecturers for guidance and help. Is there a support department in your uni? They should be able to help!

[username-20minlater]

There has been so much support! This group has helped me so much!