Managing With ADD (cont)

Kathleen Nadeau, Ph.D., an expert in the field of ADD, has made the following recommendations particularly for college students:

• Develop strong self-advocacy skills. You will need to develop the habit of talking to each professor at the beginning of the semester to explain your difficulties and outline the accomodations you will need (these might include: additional individual assistance, permission to tape lectures, permission to take exams individually, assistance in organizing and developing long term writing assignments). Use the Disability Support Services on campus.
• Sign up for a single room so that you can block out noise and minimize the temptation to socialize when you need to study.
• Take a reduced course load of 12 hours (or possibly less) which will help you minimize effects of disorganization and procrastination thus allowing you to increase your chances for success.
• Plan to take your most difficult or challenging classes during summer school to eliminate other distracters and increase your probability for success.
• Select your mlajor carefully. A well-selected major will lead to greater interest, which will lead to greater success in studying effectively.
• Plan your schedule carefully.

• Try to avoid classes with lectures more than 1 hour in length (Mon, Wed., Fri., schedule is better than Tues.-Thurs.., the worst is weekly three hour classes)
• Be realistic about your energy level and sleeping habits (If you are a night owl, don't set yourself up for failure by taking early morning classes. Likewise, if you tire late in the afternoon, avoid scheduling classes late in the day).
• Ask around and learn who the most interesting teachers are. You'll stay awake and listen!
• Look for small classes and seminars which allow student-professors interaction. This will keep you engaged and improve your concentration.
• If concentrating while reading is difficult for you, don't schedule more than one class per semester with a demanding reading schedule.

Learn how you study best.

• Some ADD students concentrate better and memorize faster if they talk out loud while reading (thus the importance of a single room - the library and roommates won't appreciate this)
• Some students find that reading concentration is enhanced tremendously by taking notes or underlining while reading, even if they don't plan to review their notes in the future.
• Organize a small study group prior to exams. Many ADD students learn best through active interaction with others.
• Listen to tapes while walking or jogging. (You may be eligible to have any book taped through Recordings for the Blind, and you can make your own tapes while reading or reviewing notes.)
• For many ADD students, the movement of walking or jogging allows them to remain in a relaxed, alert state.
• Don't kid yourself and try to study in bed. You are likely to be asleep in 10 minutes. Set short, attainable goals while studying (ex. I'll finish half of this chapter before going to eat dinner, and finish the second half later this evening). Don't set aside an entire evening or weekend to study, you won't be very efficient. You'll find that you keep up more easily by setting aside an hour here and an hour there with built-in breaks.


• Don't try to deny that attention, concentration, time management and organization are difficult for you. This attitude can lead to poor performance or even failure.
• You can still benefit from medication through college and even in your working life afterward. Many students are tempted to quit using the medication in college, wanting to prove to themselves that they "don't need it."
• Counseling can be highly beneficial to ADD college students. Don't wait until you feel you are falling apart. Form a relationship with a counselor as soon as you enter college. This will provide you a built-in support system as you encounter difficulties later.
• Consider a small college with a strong pro-student attitude, particularly schools with sinall classes and an opportunity to interact with professors and other students. A school with a high percentage of returning students is likely to have a good support system.
• Look for a school with a well-developed learning disability support program, they will be more familiar with students who need special accommodations