ADD in College: How to Deal

Today we have a guest post from Alexis Montgomery, who talks about her experiences getting through college when you have ADHD.

ADD and College: How to Deal

Dealing with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) can be difficult at any age, but it can get a lot harder to handle as you head off to college. Without a structured school day centered around an ongoing schedule of classes and homework, it’s easy to become distracted by parties, new friends and activities, and learning your way around campus. It doesn’t take long to become overwhelmed by the freedom of decision-making (not to mention overcommitted…every club looks like fun!). And living at home certainly has its advantages, since your parents keep you organized and on-track, helping you to balance activities and school. In college, the onus is on you act the adult and run your own life, whether you’re prepared or not.

This is hard for students in general, but dealing with ADD, even with the aid of medication (which can cause all kinds of unfortunate side effects, from insomnia to drowsiness, depression to irritability, and even nausea), can make juggling obligations very tricky. Sometimes you wonder if the meds are even worth it. Do you really want to be up all night staring at the ceiling when you have an exam first thing in the morning? Or do you skip your medication and risk being late for class or scrambling the exam because you’re totally disorganized and flustered? All of this can lead to anxiety as you not only try to manage your day-to-day life on your own, but also deal with the big questions like choosing a major and planning for finals. Have you ever reached finals week only to realize that you started a final project or paper at the beginning of the term, fully intending to work on it a little each week, and then forgot all about it? Now you have to write a ten-page paper AND cram for exams. Talk about stress!

So what can you do to cope with the difficulties of staying organized and on-track in college? First, get a day planner. It sounds simple, but this little book can be your lifeline if you adhere to it, so you have to use it religiously! There are even ones available specifically for individuals with ADD. If you don’t want to be encumbered by a book with a lot of papers, go light with a PDA (you just have to remember to charge it). Next, take advantage of campus resources. Most colleges offer services through their health center or you can find them by searching for Disability Services, Disability Support, or Learning Support Services. You can get counseling to deal with stress, and often, support services include exam accommodations, in-class note-takers, and library assistants to help you navigate assignments. These options are there for people who need them, so don’t shy away from using them. You may be wary of a social stigma attached to your disorder, but so many people have dealt with ADD (whether their own or that of family and friends) that you will probably find them very understanding and helpful. Either way, why make life harder for yourself when there are a wealth of resources available to help you succeed?

Finally, keep an eye on your health and don’t overdo it. Without mom around to regiment your meals, you may plop down on your bunk at night only to realize you’ve only eaten a pop tart and a can of coke all day. You don’t want to add to your stress by getting sick, so schedule in meal times if you find you’re forgetting to eat. And keep things simple by limiting yourself, both in terms of the number of courses you take and the number of activities you sign up for. If you’re dead set on taking a full class-load, maybe skip the extracurricular activities for one semester or just choose one. After all, you don’t want college to be all work. Leave yourself some time to take a break once in awhile and you’re going to enjoy your first experience away from home a whole lot more.

Alexis Montgomery is a content writer for Online Programs, where you can browse through various online degree programs to find a college that suits your needs.