I know exactly what you're talking about. I was not diagnosed as a child until I got to college. I was always bright and creative enough to just wing tests, figure things out on the spot, and write essays at the last possible second. I was also an expert at delaying deadlines and writing apology letters. But 30page research papers and month long projects proved to be too much for me. I started pulling way too many unsuccessful all-nighters, drinking too much coffee, inconsistent use of meds, inconsistent meals, sleep, always tardy to class, etc. I also chose to regulate my own meds in part because I refused my diagnosis. It all contributed to depression and relationships and unfortunately I was put on probation and asked to leave the school. The same thing always said was repeated on my way out the door, "But, you have SO much potential." Well intentioned, it felt like a slap in the face and spit on my kicks.

My school did offer services along with counseling but I was too embarrassed to use them all. My probationary year has ended and I still have not gone back. I've been through two successful positions working with kids, but disorganization, deadlines, procrastination, and anxiety came back with a vengeance. I had to leave my job in much the same way. Today I work in a high school and try to support kids with the same disadvantages and more. I also know my strengths now and avoid things that will demand too much of my weaknesses. I'm more organized in life in general (financially, spiritually, creatively, family, goals) but it took an all around wake up call and most of all I believe it took age to gain wisdom in mistakes.

My advice to you: 1.You have some rights. Contact your Dean and ask for a contract backed by your doctor. You can ask for things like time and a half on tests, a limited number of emergency extended deadlines, or my favorite, a classmate note taker. 2. Use technology. You can also ask for or purchase equipment to type your papers as you speak into a mic, use a voice recorder, books on tape, organizers, headphones if it helps to drone out distractions. 3. Use friends. Ask someone to write your ideas down as you dictate, or ask to share notes. For big projects, owe them a night out for celebration and thanks for their help. 4. Be honest with your professors. For the most part they will understand but they don't want their compassion to be overextended. 5. Give yourself a schedule and a TO DO list and stick to it. Include things like eat, shower, sleep, chill with friends. It feels good to cross those things off, too. Even if you can’t have a regular schedule, try to get the same things accomplished everyday to establish routine. 6. Don't stay in the library or any place you're trying to work/study when you're not focused. Give yourself a 5 min break or try a new spot. 7. If you lose things easily, use one bag for all your things and bring it wherever you go. 8. If you choose not to use meds, you can wake yourself up by smelling alerting essential oils like lemon and grapefruit and relax your brain at night with lavender or chamomile. Or do yoga inversions like standing on your head. It works! 9. Use alarms on your cell phone for anything and everything reminders: Study time, Break time, meds time, lunch time, class time, upcoming deadlines, time to begin a project, etc. 10. Exercise, drink water, and avoid too much alcohol or caffeine. You need to circulate your blood and stagnant energy around. It will also help put your body on routine. 11. Know your body. Pay attention to when you pay attention! Take advantage of the times you are best focused. 12. When you think of something, just do it! Just write, just clean, just do whatever it is pops into your mind. Keep a sketch book to write ideas. Many times all you need to do is copy and finalize.

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Hey It wasn't until 3rd yr university that I was diagnosed with ADHD (inattentive) and LD (short term working memory).

What I found to help is to write out lists that are VERY specific. I would write "math", but then if I felt I didn't know what THE VERY NEXT STEP was I couldn't bring myself to start. So then I would look at what the next step is and write it down. If that was still to big, I'd keep breaking it down. Sometimes I had to get to the very minute description of what to do, for example: get math binder out of bag. or even, get bag from beside desk. Sounds silly, but that's what helped.

Another thing that I found to help was to have some upbeat music to get me energized. I have some songs that give my mood a bost when I listen to them. It put me in a better mood to listen to them.

I've realized also that "studying" has some negative emotions linked to it... so I came up with creative and fun ways to "study".... I took out my colourful markers and wrote BIG NOTES, with symbols and used those to study with. Each section of a test topic was in a different colour.

I made "mind maps" from notes, instead of studying from the written notes from lectures. I liked this way better since I can see the whole picture, how things are linked, and I can see the information all at once and examine closer if I needed to.

I find that schedule-wise, I have to MAKE SURE I plan ahead!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have to write out every night what I need to do the next day. I have to have a STRICT list of things to do in the morning, and not stray from that, in order to get to where I need to go on time.

I used LOTS of visuals to help me study, instead of trying to memorize words (which university/college uses as the main way of relaying information) I went and looked for books with colour diagrams. I photocopied and enlarged diagrams/figures from my textbooks and made "label the diagram" exercises from them. I practiced copying the diagrams on my own, with the words.

One thing I wish I'd looked into before was circadian rhythm disorder. I've always had issues waking up/going to sleep. I just recently got a S.A.D. therapy light and while on the website found out that having a circadian rhythm that's "off" will affect a bunch of the symptoms related to ADHD. I took a questionnaire and got a schedule for resetting my circadian rhythym. I must say, I am more alert in the mornings, where I used to take a good 3 hrs before I felt alert. You might want to check it out.

Anyway, I am off task and need to get ready for work.

Good luck.

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I, too, have recently come to grips with how subversive my ADD is to my scholastic career. I met with my psychiatrist recently to discuss my anxiety and ADD. I was evaluated for ADD when I was 17 using qualitative data, but he said he wouldn't be comfortable prescribing me any medication until I was formally evaluated - this is because it has been so long since I was last tested for ADD. I would recommend that to start with, since you say you were tested when you were 2.

Though my Dr. was concerned about medication, I am like you in that I view it as a last case scenario. However, a formal testing will give you information and insight into your ADD that will allow you to make more informed choices about ANY changes you make to your life, whether it is medication or more alternative therapies. Also, your school may require a more recent diagnosis before they give you any of the accommodations other people have suggested.

The thing about getting tested is that it's expensive. I'm about to decide it's worth it for me - I know I'll be dealing with ADD for the rest of my life, and I also know I'm going to be in school for at LEAST another four years to get all the degrees and credentials I want; I'd better learn to manage my ADD now (I've had a lot of the same struggles other people have mentioned in the past).

You will stay on track by finding out what works best for you. Before you can know that, you need to first know what is going on.

On the flip side: If you seriously don't have money, I suggest you find just two or three things that look like they might help you out, and make them a HABIT. Don't overwhelm yourself by trying to do too many new things at once, and don't sabotage yourself by failing to reinforce new, good habits. It's like only taking your medication when you're studying for a test - it's counterproductive. Either take the medication all the time or don't. Either change your habits to adjust for your ADD or don't.

Good luck :)

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As a college teacher with ADD, I think I can say that the advice others have given you is really good, but I do have one simpler technique that may help. Try thinking of studying (reading, researching, whatever) as what you normally do when you don't have a specific obligation like going to class or to work. Instead of having to decide to study, make studying your "default" choice and then sometimes decide to do something else. This worked very well for me through three degrees. Good luck!

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I can sympathize (empathize, too) with all of you because I raised a son with LD/ADD who attended college, and I was also a college Learning Specialist for 13 years, where I saw many capable students fall through the cracks.

One of the best strategies for my son was POST-IT notes - he put them in multiple places where he knew he'd see them, including on his computer, to remind him to start projects, hand things in, etc. Now, they make EXTRA STICKY notes, which are wonderful. My son used the regular Post-Its, which I find sometimes fall off, but the extra sticky ones really adhere. I find them useful as well and buy them in DAY-GLO colors, so that I can't miss them.

As a result of seeing so much failure in college, I wrote a course for students in high school to PROACTIVELY teach them the college system - specifically, how to prepare for it and how to navigate it successfully once admitted. My course is called CONQUER COLLEGE WITH LD/ADD, and this past May I put it online.

Anyone interested in receiving information related to college success may subscribe to my free e-list at www.conquercollegewithld.com, e-mail me at info@conquercollegewithld.com, or call me at 215 620-2112.

I wish everyone here all the best - keep at it!

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