[jessicag.empire]

I am an adult that suffers from ADHD. I am currently attending school trying to obtain my associates degree to transfer to earn a bacholers degree. I am in the Health and Fitness Technician program. My basic classes for the program I do excellent maybe because it's a lot of hands on so I am able to move and learn at the same time. The problem is my other required electives are my sciences Biology, Anatomy Physiology 1 & 2. I have taken Biology twice and failed twice and Anatomy Physiology 1 one time and failed. All my other classes I am given accomedations such as a quiet room and extended time for test. But when it comes to these science class there is so much material and memorization I get overwhelmed and fail my test. Note in the science classes I have taken I am set up for accommedations for lecture test but I still do poorly on these test , but we also have lab test which is set up in the lab with different stations that have either slides to look at under the microscope or some other expierment and there is 26 kids going through out the room going to each station or waiting at a station for their turn. I do not receive accommodations for these test. I fail these test most horribly, I have such high anxiety, can focus, feel like someone is breathing over my shoulder for their turn and rushed at each station. I have brought this up to my teacher they said there no accommodations for lab test and that I just have to do my best I can do. I also went to the Disability office at my school that sets up my accommodations and voiced my concerns and ask if there was anything that can help me or possible for me to have accommodations for lab test. I was told accommodations were not given for lab test for my disability. I am frustrated and about to give up hope that I will ever be able to complete my degree if I am not able to pass these classes. I do study , note cards, read, high light, it's a lot of information and memorization and I can't seem to sink in and know all the material. I don't know what to do or where to look for help. I really want to finish school this important to me and this doesn't help my confidence it makes me feel as I am a failure.

[FuelTheJet]

Are you any type of medication for ADHD?

[jessicag.empire]

Originally Posted by FuelTheJet

Are you any type of medication for ADHD?

Yes I am. I have been on ritalin, just got off vynase and just got put on aderall 2x a day.

[BlueInanna]

Sounds like you could qualify for an anxiety disorder, maybe they have more accomodations for that, like after hours when less people are there, less noise, let you listen to ipod, chew gum? I don't know, just throwing ideas out there. Hang in there, you've made it this already.

I totally understand about struggling with college. My class that almost got the best of me was Physics. In my early 20's, I needed it for architecture school and tried and dropped it three different times. I would get behind, then I was screwed... After I took a few years off from college, I went back to school for electrical engineering technologies and I was fueled up to Attack my Arch Enemy class. I had made A's in every class since I went for the new degree and was Not going to let physics de-rail my last shot at college. I made an 88 in physics I and a 96 in physics II.

I did not know I had ADD until 12 years later. Now my struggles in school make sense. Are you taking meds for your ADD. I was 43 when I was diagnosed 3 years ago and I cannot believe how much better I feel since I began taking Adderall. I had pretty bad anxiety too, that lightened up, once I found out what was really knocking me down for so long.

I hope things improve for you soon

[Syc_amore]

I'm sorry that the school isn't offering you any accommodations for your lab tests. If it is a state funded institution, they are required by law to do so. Is there another teacher you could take the course with? If your current one can't(or won't) help to ensure your success and understanding of the material, perhaps another instructor will be more flexible.
If this teacher is the only option, I'd take a look at the accommodations you have been given in other classes. Put together a list of what you think are reasonable requests, >BlueInanna started some great ones, and approach him/her again to talk about instituting one or more. Bring with you all of your notes, completed coursework, study materials and anything else that shows how dedicated you have been to your studies.
There are great teachers out there, and then... there are the others. If you can show him/her that you are intently and actively seeking success in your education, he/she might be more receptive to your request.
I have taken Calculus 4 times. The first time, I failed it. The second and third times, I withdrew. The fourth, I failed again. I need Calculus for my architecture degree, and after I started my medication, I realized how much better I was able to focus on the material and I finished all of my overdue work in the final 3 weeks of the semester. Since I had failed all of my tests and quizzes, I still failed the class. But I talked to the instructor, and he has agreed to meet with me 3 times a week if necessary in the upcoming semester to make sure that I am going to class, taking proper notes, and learning the material to the best of my ability. Any other math teacher in the department at my school would laugh at me if I made a request like that... but sometimes we get lucky, and find someone who cares about our success as much as we do. Keep plugging away. You will make it. Don't let anyone make you think you don't deserve a fighting chance. Here's hoping for A's all around this semester!