Completing my Master’s with ADHD | ADHD Information

Find a place to work where there are NO distractions. For me it was the library. I also met a friend there who was very studious and a good influence on my study habits. I talked to him about what I needed to do, and he told me how he would break it down. I would either adapt his way or come up with my own, but it helped to discuss and plan it. I didn't even know I had Adhd at the time, but it WORKED.

There are ad/hd coaches out there as well, but it might work better if you know someone who knows you already.

I did not know that I had it but the fact that I was always fidgeting and playing computer games as I listened to lectures did not make me the most popular student among teachers.

Are you taking meds that would make the symptoms less obvious? I would probably not say anything if you are; however if you're not taking anything you might want to consider telling them; if you think they'd be receptive to it....

for those of you in school or were in school, did you let your instructors or
advisers know? what was their response? did they help you with your add
issues?

I didn't let my instructors know.

However, the rate of people in k-12 and recent high school grads with disabiity issues addressed by teachers/instructors is huge. The Issues in Schools section has a lot of information about the perceptions of parents who have tried to advocate in the schools with teachers and others for their children.

However, I have seen little regarding adults in college.

TheDog38797.2948611111

I have been in school for over a year now and I have 3 more months until completion. I have to say I didn't think I would get this far. I have been going through hell. All we do is write papers every week anywhere from 500 words to 5000 or more words. I have to get help with most of my work because I just can't sit down and do it. I cannot sit down and make the words match. I really feel like I need to take a break but I am so close to finishing it would be crazy. For example I had a paper due Monday before midnight...well it is Friday and I have not done it. I try so hard but everytime I just end up doing something else that has no value. Not that I have not had the time...I just did dumb stuff with the time and not the paper. I am overwhelmed and I feel like I have lost all control and it seems like I will be failing out of this program....

has anyone out there had to deal with this before? How did you make it work?

sorry for the typos...it is 4 a.m. and I can't sleep because I took my medicine to late tonight. I am on Adderal and i don't think it is working.

outtolunch -

Is taking the last quarter (3 months) off and finishing it later an option at your school?

If it is, and you need a break, why not take it?

Wow, this is my first time posting a message and I am so happy I did. You guys are the best. I am at home typing and crying because it is so crazy to know this crazy sh*t I have been dealing with all my life is REAL and other peope have the same crazy issues I have. Thank you for all your advice...I say crazy only for lack of better word!

Of course I am going to stick with it. I

never used the word "paralyzed" to decribe my conditions, but that is what it is....OH MY GOD!

My thing is NOT performing at a level of perfection...AT ALL! My thing is just not being able to complete the task....This is what is happening. If I am doing a task that takes 30 mins...the last 10 are hell for me to finish. I always get stuck at the end of a project. I cannot complete things....

I hate going to the post office...can't just drop it off...that would complete the task...

I hate going to movies

I hate reading books

oh this is really all coming together....

not to mention I live in total chaos...I am single with a dog and my place is always unorganized...I am always saying "I have to clean up...I have to organize my life"

WOW!

I have a 'quaint' tern for it, K-9 intercourse, when you turn in your project, make sure you don't "screw the pooch!" and youll be O.K..Hope it isn't due till Monday! Do you have a voice recorder? Do you have an outline of your paper? a paper is nothing more than you being able to deliver a speech on what you know , just written down! Record your thoughts in5or 6 statenments,under each of your sub topics, flesh them out,then find out if your recording sounds right! if it does TYPE IT and turn it in. Better to get a c or d than to get a 0

My sister got a dual masters of science degree by having me type as she was handwriting the rest of her paper.

If you have a really good friend who will start typing what you have finished while you work on the rest of it, that will save you a bundle of time and take some of the pressure off you.

I admire anyone with ADHD who can get as far as bachelors degree. To go for a Masters is amazing to me. Hang in there! You only have a little ways to go before you see the payoff to years of hard work! Don't give up! You may be ADHD but you have proven already that you have what it takes! You can do this!

Take it from me, someone who never finished college and kicks myself in the butt all time for it. Kudos to you for getting this far! Don't give up now. Maybe you need to change your meds. Whatever it is you have to do to finish up, go for it. If you quit now you may never go back and finish and you'll be kicking yourself like me. Even if it's not a straight A, just get to the top and plant the flag.

Dee lostmyshoe38793.3409953704Whoa, what?! Are you me?

I'm in the first year of grad school and I'm thinking that it was a huge
mistake. I feel like I'm way over my head. My paper was due last Friday!
During the last semester of my undergrad, I was so on the verge of
dropping out (again). And then I try this grad school thing. I totally can
relate to your situation. Not that I'm one for giving advice, but
supposedly, one of the problems I had was with perfectionism. There is a
great article from 1980 in Psych Today that might help. Perfectionism
paralyzes us b/c we experience anxiety over our desire for our work to be
perfect, or for me in times of desparation, acceptable.

I hope that you can get your stuff done. I hope I can, too.

Good luck.

I think you are just stressed. don't waist these last three months, get you sh*t together and finish. I have been there. got to the library and finsh this paper, then take a break and go on drive for like 3 hours. you need to reprioritize.

force yourself to do it. nothing else is more important then the next three months. don't throw away the last several years of hard work. and try not to rely on other means to get your act together. you can do it.

you can do you can do it.

make it happen!!!!!!!!

I'm 46, and just recently diagnosed with the inattentive form. I have a Master's Degree, and I remember being in your situation all too well. I used to try to take copious notes during class-even if I wrote in sloppy, incomplete words, abbreviated, used shorthand, whatever. Then, as soon as possible, I would go to a quiet place, such as the library or a study lounge, and transcribe the notes as neatly and completely as possible into another notebook that I would use for studying. This way, I could get my notes squared away, and review the information while it was still fresh in my mind. Then, if I discovered anything that I didn't understand, I would compare my notes with a classmates, or talk with the professor to clarify it. As for term papers, I would have to get started on them as soon as they were assigned. Many times, this meant going to the library immediately after the first class of the semester, when the syllabus was handed out, and beginning my research. I was always very slow and painstaking with my term papers, and this was the only that I could get them done on time. Good luck! Promise yourself a reward if you get through the next 3 months!The thing (I find at any rate) with ADHD is that it can all come together at once. Your degree and all that is necessary for it probably exists in your head, waiting for the opportunity to find its way out. After months (i.e. years) of dilatoriness, I hit hyperfocus and wrote a MA thesis in three months, and it actually became quite enjoyable in the process. PhD another story ... ABD, GPA 4.0., a request "more time please" (a familiar refrain) with strong letters in support from advisor, committee etc. Then the WITCH (graduate director of the department) said there was no such thing as ADHD ... and that was that.[QUOTE=I'MOUTTOLUNCH]

Of course I am going to stick with it. I

never used the word "paralyzed" to decribe my conditions, but that is what it is....OH MY GOD!

I hate going to the post office...can't just drop it off...that would complete the task...

I hate going to movies

I hate reading books

oh this is really all coming together....

not to mention I live in total chaos...I am single with a dog and my place is always unorganized...I am always saying "I have to clean up...I have to organize my life"

WOW! [/QUOTE]

Whoa...Outtolunch - are you in my mind? or living my life?

You describe my life as it currently stands almost exactly!

I am doing a Master's now too (although because I'm a glutton for punishment, mine is a three year full-time program ). I was diagnosed last year with ADHD - Inattentive type (June 16, 2005), and am only now starting to come to understand just what this all means!

Last term (Sept. - Dec.) I was taking Strattera, and it worked MIRACLES in my life!! I could read (and read and read) and follow through, and stay motivated, and finish tasks and my mind was quiet and I could converse with other people and....and....and....and I could go on and on. It was more wonderful than I could have imagined! Unfortunately, the Strattera 'pooped-out' on me (stopped working) after about 3.5 months (noticed it big time when starting term 2 after Christmas). Even more unfortunately, my body just couldn't tolerate the stuff at higher doses. I have been DEVASTATED by this! And none of the stimulants seem to do the trick for me.

I have therefore just decided to take a leave of absence from my program while I sort all of this medication stuff out (hard to study and keep up in an intense academic program while going through all kinds of wacky side effects and withdrawal symptoms).

However, I know that once things are a little more settled, I will go back and FINISH this darn thing! I don't care if it kills me!

You'll finish too! As already stated, you've made it this far, and you'll get there!!!! Just imagine how WONDERFUL it will feel when you are handed your degree! Keep that image in your mind and keep going until it happens for real!

Best wishes! (sorry for long post - didn't intend to ramble)

There were also a couple of other adders recently looking for others on the board to talk with about their challenges in college. The thread is in the Issues in Schools area, and is posted below.

http://www.adhdnews.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16996& PN=2

In this thread, there was also a mother who became concerned because someone 30 years old was posting - seeking others in college with add to communicate with - without mentioning his age, and there was someone else trying to sell products. However, prior to the thread derailment, I think at least 2 of the posters were genuinely looking for others, such as yourself, to communicate with about getting through college and graduate school with add.

TheDog38794.3922222222

Thank you so much! I am overwhelmed with the motivation you guys have given me. I just booked 2 nights in a really nice hotel and I am on my way to get my life back. Thank you for taking the time to help me and offer your well taken suggestions. Each one of you have toched me a different way. All in ways to open my eyes to the bigger picture. Thank you again....

RYAN...thank you!

As someone who never even got my stuff together to get to College all i can say is this, Well Done on getting this far! You know all your weak points and your strenghts. Well Take time to focus on your Strenghts use them and get help for your weaknesses. Barb's idea is an option. Remember one of the Cardinal Strenghts of ADHD is good old fashioned Creativity in Thinking and Action. Combine this with your natural Intelligence and Boundless Energy the other Cardinal Strenghts of the ADHD Profile and with us, as Lynnanne says, keeping your attention where it is needed just now. You are more then capable of doing this paper this weekend. Believe me I know from the Success of some ADHD Adults i have known over the last 2 yrs. If you find your attention and focus drifting...Remember what you read here written by all who responded to your post on this board. It will Help!!!!!

ryan195038793.6848148148

the typing sugestion is great. My roommate used to type for me, b4 computers. But then I would type for her. then my senior year of college i had to go to a computer and do my work , what a difference it made.

you need to find someone who can organize your stuff and we will kick your butt when you need it.

Good job: don't give up!

Are you on any medication? That might help. Also sharing of workload with others worked for me, can you study with a group? The hotel idea sounds great, I hope it works for you! For me I could never get started so I would start with a second paragraph just to put something down and get going and then did the first paragraph later.

I got through 2 + 3/4 master degrees by doing everything at the last moment. Thus, the work was never perfect but the pressure of the deadline for me was enough of the motivation to get it done, and it usually meant staying up writing till 6am only to hand in the paper at 8am in school. Exams: the same story. Did nothing all semester and then speed-read all books and copied people's notes (could not read my own handwriting on mine) at the last 3-7 days depending on how thick they were. The last night stayed up studying till 7am, took a shower and showed up fpr 8am test/exam.

Having done some studying here in US, where you cannot afford to slack off all semester I had to force myself to work every day. I made sure that the program I was in did not have any thesis at the end, because that would have been the death of me. Every night I had to meet with my learning team to discuss the cases so I spent all day reading. I never got it all done, only whatever I could during the 6 hours between classes and learning team meeting. They helped a lot, each of us concentrated on some other subject, so that one person can do one thing well and then we brought each other up to speed on whatever did not manage to read. I slept 4 hours a night for over a year and was tired all the time, but I kept on going. Somehow as much as I don't like completing thing giving up is not an option for me. I was always on some caffeine pills (guarana worked for me) to keep awake. I wish I had gotten tested for ADD earlier, I think I would have had an easier time.