teachers think I’m an idiot | ADHD Information

Academics occur in an envirnment that is the worst place for ADD'ers to learn.  Classroom settings can cause tremendous distractions, and prevent us from using our true cognitive abilties.   I feel like and act like I have average to below average cognitive abilities in class.  I am a completely different person when I'm not distracted.   It wasn't  uncommon for me to lose about 3/4 of my cognitive abilities in a class-room setting.  My life would be so different had I been taught in an undistracted private setting.  

what sucks is that we have no opportunity to learn in a private setting in
this society, nor do I think any of us would learn anything at all in a
private setting. Consider how much you learned from talking to other
people and from getting up and trying something out with a group. I dont
think an ADD/ADHD person can function in a non social environment. we
are people with big ideas, and most of us big mouths. we want the whole
world to know what we think and why we though it. the sad part is no one
else wants to hear it, or there is no room at all for a teacher to allow a
student to just blirt out whatever comes to mind because that in itself is a
distraction to other students.

I dont feel that my education was poor, it was the way I was evaluated. I
did poor on tests b/c I would reverse numbers or not take my time, but if
you asked me how to do the problem, I could tell you step by step. I was
always the kid in math class who raised his hand and said, "cant you do it
this way too, and isnt it easier this way." there is no merit given to that
kid, only the one who memorizes the steps and can remember which
numbers go where.

As a student who will soon probably be teaching High School Art within
the next couple years, I know that I will run my classes in a way that
would have stimulated my own interest. However if I have a student who
can not think abstractly, I will find a different and equaly valid way for
him of her to accomplish the task. This is easy in art, but at first glance
appears to not so easy for the math and science teachers. Though if you
take a closer look there is a definate way to remedie the evaluation of a
student, while still testing knowledge on a subject.

Let the kid who can do the numbers and remember the answers do what
he does. Let the kid who doesnt give a darn(I realized it edits swearing)
write why the material in importan and what the use of the formulas and
processes can ultimately be used for. I dont believe that testing involves
the black and white, I think its colorfull, with a wealth of possibilities.

I have more school complaints today. See, my graduate professors think I'm an idiot so they don't give me any respect and treat the star students visibly better than me. I get no opportunities to prove myself and no respect.

-Stefanie C

I'm not sure that this is related to your experience. And....the thing is I'm not exactly getting terrible grades. I mean, it's not like I'm barely passing or having trouble understanding the work. In fact, my advisor isn't even familiar with my academic record and this is his attitude. Many of my struggles are due to my ADHD and learning disabilities. I've tested at an ability 97 percent above people my age, yet my academic achievement remains average, at best.

So, the profs won't give me a chance and meanwhile give breaks to students who hardly show up to class, have zero people skills and barely try.

It's funny you mention this!  I was in class last week and the visiting prof. was talking about eco...something! LOL Anyway, he looks and me and talks directly to me.  He stops and say something about having a glazed look.  I say no, just listening intently.  Well after that he spend most of the class directing most of his lecture at me.  Now this was before I was put on meds so I was unable to pay attention because all sorts of thoughts where running around my head about him, my facial expresions, and the fact I was having a hard enough time as it was trying to learn about eco..something.  So to say the least I still don't know about eco?.  If he said nothing and just went about class I would have learn a little.

I don't think all prof. do that!  My regular prof. treats me just fine.  I deal with a lot of prof.s for my job and I noticed many prof. have this greater than thou attitude and look at alot of student who stuggle the way you discibed.  It's like they feel that students isn't worth their time.