ADHD & Learning Paralysis

[RaquelMonique]

I am struggling with learning paralysis. I am in a nursing program where I man presented so much information, it’s overload. It’s not arranged and I’d like to arrange the information so that I can focus on one topic at a time. This is something that I would have to create but have no idea where to start. For example, I have multiple question sets, but all from different sources. I’d like to compile them all and be able to filter them based on category. Any suggestions or programs I should use?

[STEM_Dad]

Evernote is a note taking app that has been popular over the last decade or so. (I only tried it briefly.)

I use Google Keep, a similar note taking app. But I mainly use it for shopping lists, reminders to myself, and to jot down ideas that I don't want to forget.

Microsoft designed OneNote for this type of note taking. (OneNote is used a bit at my work, for team members to keep reference information and procedure instructions. I work in information technology.)

All three of the above have mobile apps and web interfaces. OneNote also has a Windows app.

Here's a relatively recent article that lists those three and more.

lifehack.org/articles/produ...

I don't know if that's the sort of thing that you need.

There's also a note taking method used by some scholars, researchers, and business people. It's named Zettlekasten, which I've read means "box of cards". It was developed by a German researcher decades before the computer age, like his own Wikipedia in the form of boxes of notes. (I've used ideas of Zettlekasten in Google Keep, but not as well as I think I could have.)

google.com/search?q=zettelk...

(On that idea, it would take a bit of work, but you could make your own Wiki. But maybe you could build it with a peer group, like how Wikipedia articles get written. ... maybe that's too complicated, but studies show the studying with a peer group can often lead to greater knowledge retention.)

[OldIndigoBlue in reply to STEM_Dad]

Have you considered a second career as an ADHD coach??? You give amazing advice!!

[STEM_Dad in reply to OldIndigoBlue]

Actually, I have!

I have looked into the cost of coach training and certification programs, and they cost thousands to tens of thousands. Not to mention that many hours of coaching time must be signed off by a certified coach. The effort looks like it would be on par with getting a master's degree.

I also want to return to school (finish my bachelor's degree, and maybe get a higher degree).

But my expenses have gone up as fast as my income. (Now divorced, I pay child support and am gradually buying all the needs for my household...I still don't have real beds and dressers for me and my kids, or a couch, or a dining room table. Plus there's inflation, on top of all that.) --- I need a second income!

I have been playing at being a writer for 30 years. I need to actually finish some of my projects and get them published, and maybe I'll make some sideline income that way. Then maybe I can finally move forward on training and certification.

[OldIndigoBlue in reply to STEM_Dad]

You have a great amount of skill in writing, but more importantly in coaching.... I know how it is to have to start from scratch.... dare I mention thrift stores? I've gotten some great items used. Not mattresses of course, but you might give it a go. I've seen some awesome TikToks of people who go around and pick up items that are put out with the TRASH and then she refinishes them, making them not only beautiful but personalized. It's work, of course, and time. So i grok not being able to do those things. Just a thought, tho. Yes, I applaud you on getting your bachelor's degree. You have the skills and information now to accomplish that even with ADHD. Kudos to you for such grand future plans!!!! I'm wondering if there isn't a sideways approach to getting into coaching.... but if it isn't your "calling" then I'm sure you'll succeed in whatever you choose. Your writing is excellent - I finally went back to college at age 29, ended up graduating Summa Cum Laude with honors in sociology while raising my son as a single parent, working WorkStudy part time, and editing the campus literary magazine. It wasn't easy by any means, especially since I wasn't diagnosed or treated for ADHD (or the comorbidities) but I was very determined - mainly to prove to my parents that I could succeed. Didn't last - I was accepted into graduate school in social work, but could NOT adjust, so dropped out - typical of ADHD stuff, to have the skills to make good but to not be able to handle the huge transitions that happen in life without diagnosis/accommodations for the deficits we all have. "If only........" but to be honest, I'm mostly content in my old age. Gratitude is a great medication for me....

[STEM_Dad]

A few important side notes to consider:

First, you got into this nursing program because...

YOU ARE COMMITTED

&

YOU ARE CAPABLE

Trust yourself! Believe in yourself! You can do this!

Being overly anxious can interfere your ability to absorb, retain, and retrieve information. You may find it helpful to use mindfulness or grounding techniques to manage anxiety.

I've found that even controlled breathing, and sometimes progressive relaxation, can help. When I really get stuck in my head, I use the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique that I learned from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, thanks to a mental health counselor.

This YouTube short video from the HowToADHD channel is very straightforward about this technique, and it's something that you can do quietly pretty much anywhere.

youtube.com/shorts/WpdQnyo4...

(My counselor said to practice it and any other mindfulness or CBT techniques I find helpful. Practicing the skills regularly when you don't need them makes it much easier to use them when you do need them.)

Lastly, the brain is a marvelous thing, and it organized the information you learn while you're sleeping. Studies show that people who review their study materials before bed will recall that information much better in the future. (Not cramming the night before a test, but occasional, regular review of what you've already learned.) It takes time, and might require reminders, to get into a regular practice of this.

Also, if you can, study in the same environment or similar environment to where you will need to use the information you're studying. Many people (myself especially) have a memory which is aided by cues in your environment.

(My personal trick, if I can't study in the same place, is to image that's where I'm at as I'm studying. I used this to improve my test taking performance in college. I didn't graduate then, but I certainly improved.)

I wish I'd known all this a long time ago. I'm hoping that at least some of this is helpful to you.

[tlvalles in reply to STEM_Dad]

Lots in there but the 5 4 3 2 1 caught my eye. I read this book years ago called the 5 second rule and I couldn't believe how much it helped with things I honestly thought I'd just overlook/ignore/procrastinate with

[Flurble]

For me the solution was to draw mud maps that addressed only key concepts and how they relate to each other. If the resulting web could be fitted on one A4 page then I'd likely boiled the topic down into digestible chunks.

I got pretty good at analysing topics this way, and it became my sole method of note taking during lectures. Listening became the hunt for key concepts and the one, two or three words (max) that expressed them. I found the result more memorable and comprehensible than traditional note taking.

So what was the final outcome of drawing my notes rather than penning an ocean of text? A degree with distinction. I only mention this outcome because it affirmed for me, a chronic inattentive, the validity of employing alternate methods for an alternate mind!

[Oddbob1]

I am studying at the moment also. It’s hard. And as yourself, organising the information is the hardest part.

Few questions;

Is there exams following your course?

If so, are there examples of past papers and answers. This will enable you to see if there is any order to the paper layout, and also gives you an insight to the correct answers and format.

What type of nursing program? University course, full or part time etc?

What platform of operating system do u use? iOS, windows etc. laptop or iPad

iOS has Good Notes. It’s great little tool for making mind maps. (Google mind maps if u are using windows and see what is available online or on the MS Store)

Can you split your studies into sections; body parts, procedures, medicines, protocols, legal areas, etc (guess depends on what nursing you are studying). Splitting it down and then performing mind maps for these will help.

Flash cards - get half a dozen flash card books. These come into play towards the end and are brilliant for revising

Get a good couple of note books, and binders.

Scan useful info onto your computer, make ur own notes.

Best of all, install chrome extensions that have AI. ChatGPT is an example but on chrome, there are a lot of options. These things are amazing, the knowledge they will produce, help and advice is unreal.

[LQ4Ever]

I do not have advice but want to thank you for putting words to what impacts my learning - learning paralysis! Thank you for that. I wonder if it's a whole thing or if it's terminology you came up with.

I wish for others to be able to help you.

[OldIndigoBlue in reply to LQ4Ever]

LQ4Ever, Learning Paralysis is definitely a thing! Here's a link to an article about it: dev.to/davidsalomondev/how-... (Sorry I don't know how to turn that into a link but you can copy and paste)...

[G7BK]

'Notion' does everything but you can get distracted, because it does everything!

Evernote like mentioned is a good one this works mainly with tags

I've. Or used this but have a look at Obsidian people seem to rate it highly

Best of luck getting organised