Overview
This lecture provides essential strategies and practical tips for adults, especially women with ADD/ADHD, who are returning to school and want to set themselves up for academic success.
Assessing Strengths and Weaknesses
- Reflect on past school experiences to identify learning challenges and strengths.
- Enroll in courses that balance workload and play to your strengths.
- Find out assignment types from departments and instructors to align with your abilities.
- Limit courses heavy in formats you struggle with (e.g., long essays or lectures).
- Tools like handheld recorders can help with lecture-heavy classes.
Accommodations and Support Services
- Disclose your ADHD diagnosis to your school’s disabilities office to access support.
- Be prepared for psychological or psychometric testing to document your needs.
- Common accommodations include extra test time, oral exams, peer tutors, and note-takers.
- Communicate with instructors during orientation about your accommodations and plan their implementation.
- Decide specific logistics for accommodations, like testing locations.
Building a Support Team
- Identify professionals who can support your goals (physician, therapist, tutor, coach).
- Connect with classmates for assignment clarification, notes, and study groups.
- Exchange contact info with responsible peers for academic support.
Family and Home Support
- Discuss academic goals with family to devise a plan for sharing chores and responsibilities.
- Having an agreed household plan ensures family needs are covered during study times.
Medication and Treatment Plans
- Evaluate and adjust your ADHD medication or treatment plan as new academic demands arise.
- Work with your physician to ensure your treatment fits your new schedule.
Tools and Study Strategies
- Use a reliable planner consistently for all tasks and appointments.
- Invest in a handheld recorder for lectures and annotate your textbooks as needed.
- Seek out audio versions of texts for heavy reading assignments.
- Utilize time management and study skills courses offered by your school.
- Supplement reading with guides like SparkNotes when appropriate.
Key Terms & Definitions
- ADD/ADHD — Attention Deficit (Hyperactivity) Disorder; a condition affecting focus, organization, and time management.
- Accommodations — Adjustments or supports provided to help students with disabilities succeed academically.
- Psychometric Testing — Assessments that measure intellectual functioning and learning profiles.
- Peer Tutor — A fellow student who helps with coursework and study techniques.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Assess your academic strengths and weaknesses for optimal course selection.
- Contact the disabilities office for accommodation eligibility.
- Build a support network of professionals and classmates.
- Arrange a family meeting to plan shared responsibilities.
- Review and adjust your medication with a doctor if needed.
- Gather essential study tools (planner, recorder, annotated books).
- Register for time management or study skills workshops if available.