Favorite ADD Study Tricks?

Medicated · Nov 07, 2009, 10:26 AM

A series of unfortunate events has finally revealed to me (via the psychiatrist) that I'm most likely not bipolar, but rather ADD. My life would have been a lot easier and less chaotic if we had figured this out in high school or early college when it started to take its toll (for instance, I think I would have continued as a bassoon performance major if I had had the attention span to practice for hours on end...).

Anyway, now I'm a master's-level Physician Assistant student, and my study habits have not only sucked, they've been non-existent. I essentially gave up on studying during my undergrad because it was such a frustrating, fruitless, and emotionally painful endeavor. I rarely had to study through high school. To this point, I have survived on a pathetic series of last-minute cram sessions and all-nighters. It's a stressful (and depressing) way to live.

Now I have adderall which does a good job of clearing my mind, but when I face my 2,000+ page reference book, I still get overwhelmed because I realize that I just plain don't know how to study. I'm still afraid to start something I worry I won't ever finish - I don't want to cover just some topics in such detail that I wouldn't have time for the others.

So, for those of you with ADD, especially those in college or in a professional/graduate program like me, what works for you? I have some general books on ADD and how to organize yourself and work with it, not against it, but I feel like they're geared more toward people who are already out working and have more control over their lives. While similar in some respects, I feel that studying is different because it is much less structured and requires greater self-discipline than any job I've had.

I just need a guide on "How to Study if You're ADD." I'm not just talking time management, removing distraction, and taking breaks - I don't even know how to organize myself. I have a history of all-or-nothing studying (where "all" is definitely implausible for a mere mortal), so I need help finding the middle ground and creating study plans that are reasonable, appropriate, and doable.

Any advice or resource is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

lisasays · Nov 07, 2009, 11:38 AM

Hey

I appreciated your post, it sums up precisely what I experience too. I'm in the UK and not diagnosed, though was meant to go for testing when I was younger but I didn't show up. I'm 21 but back starting a degree in english and finance. I started a law degree before but pulled out. Right now I have 2 essays, not started, due monday and research books scattered on the floor around my desk. I'm thinking I have made no progress in regards to studying, finishing things etc. since I was in my mid-teens. I find I do best in problem solving, you're given most the information in the question to work out the answer, so little recall is required. I guess if you have any flexibility in what work they grade you on, you could try swing it that way. I have pretty useless tips but I will share the small things I attempt! What sometimes helps me is if I have a few webpages or books open at once, so I can dot about, but on to something still productive. I have music on, nothing too bouncy! I also do any downloads, general stuff on your computer at the same time as working, again so I can go back and forth. I sometimes pretend (like roleplay in my head!?) that I am teaching the stuff to someone else, it engages my attention and it seems a good any of learning. Do you find writing posts difficult to do too? I'm not sure I have ADD but I'm interested in anybody elses tips/suggestions too. Hopefully you get some good replies!

Medicated · Nov 07, 2009, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisasays

Do you find writing posts difficult to do too?

That depends. Usually when I'm writing a post like these, I'm interested enough in the topic that I tend to hyperfocus, meaning that I do it to the exclusion of all else. I needed to eat and go to the bathroom an hour ago!

Sometimes I'll burn out in the middle of writing a post for my blogs, especially if I am discussing something in a more academic fashion. Once I realize that I should look up journal articles and link to respected sites, I tend to lose interest pretty quickly and yet another brilliant, but half-finished post ends up in the graveyard that is my "Drafts" folder.

Quote:

Originally Posted by lisasays

Hopefully you get some good replies!

Amen to that!

PS - it does sound to me like you might have some symptoms of ADD, so it might not be a bad idea to look into getting some help or checking out a self-help book, since there are plenty of decent books available on the topic.

lywilliams · Nov 08, 2009, 05:24 PM

Hi, I do not have ADHD, but I do have two children with ADHD and I am a college professor. I would like to mention that you are entitled by law to some "reasonable accommodations" for the ADHD. These might include preferred seating, extra time on tests, tutoring etc. Check with your college, must have some kind of system where you would need to register your disability (sorry that is what they call it) in order to get the help.

lywilliams · Nov 08, 2009, 05:26 PM

You might want to register with the office of disabilities at your school. You are entitiled under the law to "reasonable accomodations"

lywilliams · Nov 08, 2009, 05:26 PM

Resonable accomodations might include tutoring or extra time on tests.

Medicated · Nov 08, 2009, 08:56 PM

I have contacted the disabilities office, but it seems that because of the nature of my education, there are no accommodations that can be made. I am currently doing my clinical rotations, and the school has little power over my preceptors. My end-of-rotation exams, particularly the practical exam, cannot be adjusted or altered. I am fortunate insomuch as I am a fast test-taker, so time is generally not an issue. Really, my main concern is that when given time and a chunk of materials to learn, I do not know how to study. I had not considered tutoring, but all things considered, I do not believe it is a viable option.

Thanks for the suggestions though.

Junerain · Nov 09, 2009, 06:54 PM

Make it as interesting as possible, come up with hilarious pneumonic devices, catchy rhymes, whatever keeps you interested...draw vin diagrams, etc etc good luck!!