Hello ForgotMyMeds:

Welcome to the ADDitude forums! It sounds like you're not lacking any intelligence - just the motivation and focus to make it through a semester. Have you looked into getting school accommodations for your ADHD? Many universities will supply students with note-takers (so they can concentrate on what's being said in class, not on writing down every word) and extended deadlines/test times. It's definitely worth looking into.

Have you seen ADDitude's College Survival Guide? That should also give you some ideas for study tips, motivation strategies, etc.

Finally, I can't say for sure what to do about your meds. But it can't hurt to revisit your doctor and explain the situation...

Good luck!

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Hey! I'm 21 and a 1st semester senior, but last semester I started having similar problems. It's so weird how even when I'm really interested in a class or I know that I need it, it seems like a waste to go until I'm actually there- so I skip a lot and end up behind. I would do things while missing class that later seemed stupid- like knitting or cleaning my apartment, but what you said is exactly how I felt about it- even when I liked the class I'd rather be doing something else. In thinking about my behaviors I noticed that (in ADD fashion) I was only interested in doing what was right in front of me, so just getting myself to campus was a challenge. Like you, I know that I'm smart but the grades just don't show it. Then I feel like a failure because everyone around me is taking a full load, doing well with it, and then they are super-involved with campus organizations and they somehow manage to have fun too. I can't handle all that, but I want to be like them, it seems like I either do well in school and have nothing else or I do not-so-well in school and am mildly involved in other things, but not as much as I want to be. Especially as a senior, friends are asking me to take on leadership positions in organizations (that I want to take) but I have to turn them down or risk failing out.

I went to see a university counselor when my issues didn't go away this semester and it helped SO much, I DEF recommend it. I thought that I was suffering from depression, but now I believe my mess was sparked by ADD-related issues. I no longer feel like a failure, but there is a lot in front of me that I will have to change and I'm not really sure where to start. The only problem with the counselor I saw was that she wasn't familiar with ADHD. I managed to drop a class through medical withdrawal, which helped immensely. You might consider not taking a full load (if your school allows that). At least then you wouldn't have as much to concentrate on. I'm planning on talking to someone at Student Health about strategies, but they aren't always very helpful. Unlike you, I am unmedicated (took myself off it sophomore year) and would like to stay off of it so our experiences with treatment will be different, but I recommend that you seek help anywhere it could possibly be. Go to talk to your professors. It is daunting and I was terribly anxious before and during, but not one of them was mean or accusatory. They were relieved to find out what had happened to me and that I was ok... they were all willing to help and one even dropped a major test grade for me. I wish that I had sought help sooner, so that is my greatest recommendation to you- seek help somewhere, get something happening.

Good luck! -Cait

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