I know a guy who has ADD/dyslexia bad and had a really hard time keeping a job or staying in school. He was lucky to marry this wonder young woman who encouraged him to get a job in the area he is most interested in.....eating first, cooking second! He went to chef school and worked in a couple restaurants (never lasted very long). Now he has his own restaurant (she does the books) and seems to be thriving. The food is excellent!

So what I'm trying to say is maybe you are in the wrong place for you. Find out what your passion in life is and what kind of training/schooling you need to be successful. You don't have to be a doctor, lawyer, school teacher or nurse to find something you are interested in enough to hold your attention.

Here's a good book to get:

You Mean I'm Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy?! A Self-Help Book for Adults with Attention Deficit Disorder

You can find it on Amazon or probably eBay. It has some good examples of adults who found their own ways of doing things. There are so many ways to make a living that many of us are not even aware of. Find out what your strengths and weaknesses are. Is there some way, with all of those college classes you can just get a basis college degree and be done with it? If you can just finish up in anything (even if you do not get a job in whatever degree plan you graduate with, it can only help you in other jobs. Maybe you need a part-time job to help you put some structure into your day and just take one or two classes at a time (also it is good to have a work history with good references).

Don't be afraid to think outside the box!

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We have received many letters and emails from college students and from parents of young adults with ADHD like you. You might find it helpful to read a few of their letters and stories, plus some tactical advice at these links...

Mom and Dad Were Right: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/834.html 'I Knew I Was Smart': http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/788.html Success in High School/Problems in College: http://www.additudemag.com/q&a/ask_the_add_medical_expert/1201.html

ADHD College Survival Guide: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/1018.html College Advice for ADHD Students: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/898.html Procrastination at School: Helping ADHD Students Cram for Tests: http://www.additudemag.com/adhd/article/3238.html

Hope this helps!

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Your story sounds just like me at college. I'm smart - but, you know, it takes a lot of intelligence to crank out an OK paper in three hours! Luckily, I squeaked through in 5 years, and found a job (quite by accident) in the perfect field: advertising. It has all the requirements for snapping an ADD person to attention: tight deadlines, loose working hours, creative work, and a working partner who is very detail-oriented. I had a great career. I also found the right life partner: I married a producer (to whom timetables and budgets come naturally) and never discovered I had ADD til my kids went to college and I retired. THEN suddenly got just as incompetent and lazy as I thought I was in college! Can you find a partner to do projects with? Now that I think of it, when I took physics, I found myself a math major for a lab partner: I built all the experiments and she did all the calculations. Great combo... wish I was more aware of it at the time! Hang in there. You can do it.

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thanks everyone for the advice!! it's really helpful! my struggle right now is that i honestly believe i'm in the right major, even though i'm doing so poorly. I'm studying civil engineereing, and i really think i'll love the profession.. it's pretty fast paced, with days in an office and days on a job site.. it's also pretty hands-on.. which seems pretty ideal for my learning style. i feel like i'd do well as an engineer, but the classwork that preceedes the degree is just killing me. It's the daily grind of classes and homework that's bringing me down. I feel like i'm taking all kinds of complicated physics and math classes, and being forced to learn things that won't directly apply to my career. i really want to be an engineer (a basic liberal arts degree just involves too much reading) but then again, the daily work of engineering isn't exactly working with my procrastination either. also, i wish taking classes part time and working to reduce the class load is feasible, however, my student loans require me to be a full-time student, and one i drop below full-time i have to start paying them back (which i can't afford to do) so i've been taking the D's and having to repeat the class, instead of withfdrawing from a class, just to keep up my full-time status. as you can imagine, my GPA is seriously suffering. as a resuolt of this, any internships or jobs that ask for a transcript or GPA i don't even consider, knowing i won't be hired. and no matter how i go about explaining the low GPA and grades, the fact of the matter is that a company doesn't want to hire someone with lower grades, than another, more successful student. i know that in the real world, there's no sympathy career. I'm worried about it, but i feel that if i could just have more self-discipline and self-control i could do better in class, and bring up my GPA, and possibly graduate only 1 or 2 semesters behind. your responses and the web sites helped me realize that i'm not alone in this struggle, but i feel like no matter how much i read about how to organize, study, schedule time, etc. i just can't get myself to actually do it.

i really want (and need) to change, but i don't know how to make myself do it. does it honestly come down to deciding you need to change and (somehow..) forcing yourself to change, or is there something else that i can o that i'm missing?? does anyone have any past experience figuring out how to gain self-control? lately, i've been doubting my actual desire to change.. i feel like i want to, but my actions say the complete opposite... it's very confusing, and i'm just so frustrated with myself.. i've been feeling like yes, i have ADHD, but my struggles can't all be blamed on ADHD, i want to be able to control it, and not blame my failures on the disorder. other people who don't know about my struggles don't understand what i'm going through and they just assume i'm not trying in class (and i guess i'm not actually trying, although i don't know WHY i'm not..) and they just think i'm lazy, and unmotivated. it's hard for me to not believe that that is the truth... maybe i am just lazy. maybe i just need to be more mature and suck it up and do things even though i'd rather do something fun at that moment.

sorry, this is incredibly long.. i don't blame anyone for not wanting to read this whole thing.. i guess i just need to get it out, and see what anyone else thinks... maybe i think since i'm typing it, no one has to sit there and try to understand what i'm feeling for like 2 hrs while i explain it. and hopefully someone here understands better than my non-ADHD friends, who just think i should "try harder, and just do your homework instead of watching tv"

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If you made it into a good college, you can do it even if it is hard. My brother is a hydrology engineer and he struggles with the same things. It took him three times to take the exam before he passed it (he would miss it by one point!). I agree that that could be a great career for you with the flexibility and team work potential. He loves his job.

My oldest son has dyslexia and ADHD and was so lucky to catch it early and get into a great program in elementary school. He is on the dean's list at one of the top business colleges. He said it was SO hard to transfer to the major college from a community college because he would just tune out the teacher at the community college and go home and teach himself, but when he moved up, he could not do that and he just has to make himself pay attention! I'm sure you know what I mean.

If you are starting to believe you need to make a change....just making that decision is really stressful. Even good change is stressful and you know, you could be a little depressed which can explain the lack of interest and drive. It's only natural to poop out if you feel like you are not making the progress you want. My son has an engineering room mate and he said he feels really sorry for him because it is so hard!

I can't remember if you mentioned it, but do you get help at the college....are you diagnosed? Well, hang in there and I hope you are able to come to grips with it. I know it really helps me, especially if I am having trouble figuring my life out, to keep a journal. I can just dump all of my thoughts out and for some weird reason, it seems to help me find a solution I would not have if I did not write it down, but that is just me. Good luck!

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i am diagnosed, although in high school it was only through my pediatrician, so my college won't accept that. just this semester, i tried to receive accomodations, and recently i had to see the psychologist to confirm the diagnosis. i have temporary accomodations, which are just time and 1/2 on exams, which is helpful, even though i've only had it for 2 exams (just finished working it out last week). hopefully next semester i will have full accomodations (time and 1/2, notetakers, and tutors.) i have a time management tutor now, which helps, but it's still hard to stick to her schedules.

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The other person gave great advice to find someone who you can help either with your strengths/weaknesses (easier said than done). I know what my son does....he HAS to tackle a class right at first, almost like his life depends on it....it's called hyper-focusing I think. It's like he has, say four classes. With in that first week, he can tell which ones will be hard for him and which ones are easier. He figures out when major projects are due and he gets as many things done way ahead before they are due. He also asks a lot of questions and will find out why if he did bad on a paper.

If he did not do that....he knows if he lets up at the first couple weeks, he would lose his momentum and start falling behind.

I am not in school, but I have six kids and a big house to manage and I have a hard time with managing projects and all of my kids' activities, etc. What has always worked best for me (and my son) is to get all of the little things out of the way first. Most people who do not have ADD approach projects like this:

Let's say you have a large jar or bowl with several big rocks and a bunch of pebbles. Well, if you fill the jar with the pebbles first, you will not be able to fit the big rocks....but if you start with the big rocks, then you can fill in with the little things and the same amount of rocks/pebbles will all fit.

With ADD people, that does NOT always work (it is often too overwhelming to just jump in and start a big project...it's almost like you have to be in the mood or something)....so, if I have to clean the whole house to get ready for 60 people to come over for Thanksgiving, I could easily get overwhelmed just thinking about it. I would have to tackle that like my son would when he starts a new semester. It's like this:

1. First analyze what you need to accomplish.

2. Decide what the big, most important things that need to be done are and set up a timetable to do them (that does not mean you have to dive in and do them right then).

3. Write down all of the little things that also need to get done (these are the things that can be really distracting when working on a big project because they are floating around in your head).

4. Whack away at as many of the little things as you can (sense of accomplishment).

5. Then work on a big thing (now you are in the mood and can really concentrate on it).

6. Repeat steps 4 & 5.

7. Find out when you need to take little breaks along the way (every 15-30 minutes or so).

Tips: Watch out for time wasters....surfing the net, watching TV (use these as rewards when you are done for the day). Even though you have had to take morning classes, find ways to work around your biological clock (Are you a morning person or night owl? Do you like to do your thinking in the morning and physical activity in the night or visa versa? Stuff like that.)

Like when I am finding myself procrastinating cleaning the house, I will just get all of the laundry, turn on my favorite TV show and start folding. I feel a little more in the mood and felt happy that I did something for me too (watching TV). Then I will pick the easiest rooms to pick up real fast (sense of accomplishment). Now that I have a momentum (and the house is nice enough that I am not distracted by all of the clutter), and a few hours before the kids come home, I will feel like tackling the whole kitchen....there have been times that I would rather have all my teeth pulled than clean the house AGAIN and that is when I whoop out my timer. Now you are going to think I'm crazy, but I will time myself and see how fast I can get a whole room picked up. Then I go to the next, or whatever. It works.

So, you can be creative and find ways to work with your ADD...it helps to know yourself and develop coping strategies. That is great that you are getting help at school! Also, it would be good if you can get a job during the summer/holidays. As far as grades go, people are not going to ask what your grades were in college...just that you graduated (although it does help to have good grades for other things). I bet if you went to your disabilities counselor, they could help you figure out how to bring up your GPA and be more organized (well, it looks like you are doing that).

Now if you are so down that nothing sounds good, then somehow do something that will feel like a mini vacation and then take some time to brainstorm, write down goals and start to feel excited about making progress again. Sit down and write down things you have already done and you might be surprised how much you have already accomplished. We all have some failures in our lives....successful people also fail sometimes but they learn from them so that they become stepping stones!

I hope that helps you. :)

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I wasn't officially diagnosed until my freshman year in college. After diet changes, lifestyle changes, med changes... I'm still struggling to keep myself on task. But I finally had to start something new this semester. My goal was to not get to the point with stress from projects, papers, etc. that I called my mom crying on a Sunday night. Well, I've only done that twice so far! Because my biggest problem was that I would get too stressed out to do anything. I would study for two weeks for an important test, walk in, and forget everything because I was so worried about what would happen if I did poorly. Well, I did horribly! I didn't get handed back a C or a D... I got a 23 on a major test last semester. Needless to say, I have to retake that class. I couldn't even squeak by anymore... it was F after F after F.

After a professor told me it was"damn annoying" that I was always late, I stayed after and talked with him. He said "as impossible as it sounds, you might have to just pick something and cut it out. now, that may be impossible, but you should try."

I just had to force myself to calm down. It's probably a horrible way to approach life, but I felt so bogged down and that I couldn't cut anything out... so I laid everything out on paper. What was due when, what percentage of a grade it was worth, how well I NEEDED to do on it... and the things at the bottom of the list? I had to convince myself that they don't exist until I have time to deal with them. My car? As far as I'm concerned? Cars are supposed to sound like that. No, they're definitely not, but it can wait... My professors are all on the same exam schedule. 4 a semester and on the same week. (actually, one gives 2 exams in that week) So... the tests on Friday? don't exist until Wednesday afternoon.

It's easier to make yourself sit down and do one thing, but that is still easier said (or typed) than done. And as far as sticking to that... I'm using psychological training methods. Reward & Punishment. If I get my reading done, I get sweets, to play a game, go out, watch a movie, etc. If I don't... then I don't. I have to take study breaks, too. I get up, run around, watch tv, eat something... it helps.

And if you're up late studying, think to yourself before you get in bed, how you are going to operate on that amount of sleep. Last week, I was up until 3 am friday morning & left my alarm set for my tues/thur 8am class... I woke up at 7:15.. made breakfast, did my hair, MADE COFFEE!! ...and had a really good day. If it's more than 4 hours, then it has to be 8. I can't operate on the numbers inbetween.

Maybe this will help? Maybe not?

The biggest thing to remember is that you DO have ADD, it IS harder for you do this stuff, you DO have to put in more effort to get the same result.

!! Just thought of this. If it's possible, don't study in your room! Study away from your bed/computer/tv. Those are all big distractions. If you're like me, even the library is a distraction. I have to sit at a table in an empty room. If there aren't any obvious distractions, it's harder to get off-task.. it still happens sometimes, but it could be worse.

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thanks everyone, all the advice, and sympathy are very encouraging. since there's only two weeks left in my semester, i think i'm just going to work really hard for the classes i have a chance of passing, and try to do well on the finals. there's no point in me working my off when i'm going to fail anyways. I'm going to try not to stress, and accept that i'll have to try them again next year. i love the idea of trying to get far ahead in classes that i find difficult. i'm definately going to try that next year. becuase usually i find it's hard, get behind a little, get nervous and stressed about it.. and end up ignoring it completely, until it's too late to fix the problem. I'm excited for this year to be over, and hopefully i can start fresh (and actually follow through) next semester. i wish i had asked for help here at the beginning of the semester (but of course thinking ahead is unheard of)

your words of encouragement and tips for success are really helpful, and motivating me to not give up... hopefully ican get through finals and work really hard next year to get caught up with other kids in my major!!

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It's good to read the optimism in your message! Maybe you can work on your ADD over the summer and tie up any loose ends that have been distracting you. My son said that several times a week he has to just sit in a quiet room and think about EVERYTHING to make sure he has not forgotten anything. :)

Also, he went to a community college and lived at home the first two years and I feel certain that is a big factor in his success now. He could totally just concentrate on only his classes and did not have to adjust to living on his own and had time to mature. So, if you had to adjust to all of that from your freshman year, then you are probably doing a lot better than you give yourself credit! A lot of students who leave home their freshman year flunk out the first semester....and you are handing in there! :)

It does not really matter if you concentrate on the big things and are able to make a conscience decision to put little distractions out of your mind like COUREY does (I don't do that very well) or quickly get the little things out of the way so you can concentrate....just try to figure out what works best for you. For my son, he kind of does both.

I am excited for you! Just try to remember that ADD people are good at coming up with good ideas and like fresh starts, but then, when they have to buckle down or pay attention to really boring stuff, then that is when it gets SO HARD. Like I said, that is why my son has learned to plan WAY ahead to give himself that buffer room (plus he has dyslexia so he knows it takes him a little longer to process than other people). You can do it!!! Good luck to both of you.

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Hello! Just joined the forum - I was diagnosed with ADD three months ago, after going through 20 years of formal education. Woah, scary how long that's been! I'm 24 now, and I really wonder what my scholastic career would have been like had someone realized what my underlying issue was. I'm a woman, so unfortunately (both for me and women with ADD in general), my symptoms were usually classified as depression or anxiety - but there's probably a forum chatting for that, I'm guessing :) Like many people new to a pretty significant diagnosis, be it related to mental or physical health, I spend a decent amount of time on websites like this one, saying to myself "OMG! OMG! It all makes sense now! Other people do that too?!?!?"

So, all of that said...here's my $0.02 on the OP's question. As someone who has lived with ADD and been in college pretty recently (and will be again soon, more on that in a moment), I do believe that there is a fine and blurry line between the condition's influence on your performance in school and your own influence on that performance. It's easy for me to justify my pretty mediocre college performance by telling myself that it was the ADD causing me to drink instead of study (intense pleasure-seeking), wake up late for class (sleep issues), mentally check out of lectures if I didn't instantly grasp the subject matter (inattentiveness), or improperly prepare for classes (procrastination, disorganization). Or even that I really mismanaged my financial situation during college, and have a pretty not-so-hot credit score to show for it (see all of the above classic ADD symptoms for an explanation of that one).

I do think that it bears mentioning that these sorts of behaviors are by no means unique to college students with ADD. It's a chaotic, hectic, and unstable time. Being outside of a structured environment for (often) the first time is a difficult adjustment for a lot of college students, and I do agree that it comes with significant additional challenges for folks with ADD.

This is where the "you" part of this comes in - it's a little sticky but I feel strongly about mentioning it - the original poster mentioned resources that were available at his/her school and that he/she is utilizing. If there are resources available - and if one is utilizing them and is still not able to function academically in college, perhaps it is time to see if there are additional resources or plans or treatments. That is something under the individual's control, not the disorder's. One thing I certainly wish I had done in undergrad was arrange to take an extra semester, or even an extra year, and focus on certain classes/projects by changing my status to a part-time student. Now, of course there are certain considerations - financial aid, school health insurance, etc. etc., but if there is a way to negotiate those issues (if they are applicable) with the help of the school's disability services office, that might be one way to address these issues in the not-so-distant future.

So, just to share my own success story about finally being diagnosed and treated for ADD and how it relates to college - since being diagnosed and treated, I've achieved my goal of getting into graduate school! Since I finished undergrad two years ago, it's been all I really wanted to do - I'm a classical musician, and it's really difficult to find work, make the connections, etc. unless you go on to more school after college :) I had auditioned for graduate programs my senior year, and due to really bad planning for audition travel and general poor audition preparation, um, yea, not so much. Well, just the other day I got my acceptance letter (with a full-tuition scholarship!) for the graduate program I've wanted to go since I got out of undergraduate - my audition was about a month and a half after I got diagnosed and started treatment - and let me tell you, I was SO well-prepared...and my flight (purchased more than a week in advance!) got in a whole day before my audition...AND I managed to bring every single required piece of paper!

Anyhoo, so I hope this wasn't too far off-topic...just wanted to share my experiences :) Best of luck to you all, and I'm glad to have found this forum!

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I understand you so well. I was not diagnosed until I had finished my first semester back in college for my BSN and the first class I took was the most difficult because every 5 weeks I would have 5 paers to do. The accomindations do help help ;but they don't always solve the problem such as group projects, which have to be in at the same time. I still have 5 paers every 5 weeks ; and the easiest way to do it is to tackle the each assignment with a outline and a sylabbus posted in front of me. If I become distracted and try to advoid doing the assignment I have enlisted friends and family to question me how is it coming along. The worst is in the middle when I decide I hate it and then throw it away to start over again. I have 3 classes to go; and if I have to much distraction I will go to the park and walk until I expend enough energy to focus. I personally am struggling because I HATE community nursing and I have another class to do before graduation. My first RN was gotten after I made a bet with my father I could do it; I had gone once before but dropped oput after I got in a fight with an instructor and threaten her.

Make sure you get your accomindations and just do it. It is not lazy or an excuse ADD/ADHD is real and many of us are poor at time management. When picking out classes make sure you re not taking 5 very easy and 5 very heavy classes at a time balance it out. You have skills that got you through highschool . How did you do it? Make sure you sleep , eat correctly . And enlist someone who will keep you working. Throw away the distracting things and stop advoiding the homework . If you have a hard time reading then get yourself a tape recorder so you can listen to the lecture again. Sitting in class can be torture for us. Also see if you can do any of your classes on line since you like the internet that way you can get up and move around.

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I have add and this is how I handle school. I only take two classes a semseter. If I were to take more I'd fail. I am getting A's and B's and have full accomodations from my school. Maybe slowing down and finding away to take fewer hard classes at a time would be a way to work it out. I go to a major state University and am in a pretty good English program. so I know how you feel.

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