The Setup: So as a child I was always forgetting my jackets, my lunchboxes, water bottles, etc. It made my mom crazy because every day when she picked me up from school, we would get halfway home, then have to drive back to school to go get my [insert forgotten item here]. During Parent/Teacher conferences the teachers would always say the same thing: "Mikaela is very bright, always smiling, a truly happy kid.... but... she hums in class." I still remember humming during the Pledge of Allegiance in the 1st grade haha. My mom was perplexed at my energetic behavior, my restlessness, and my forgetfulness. Well, my mom didn't know what to do with me. I guess, technically, I was developing a little bit slower than everyone else. When everyone was supposed to calming down for nap time, I would want to to run around on the Jungle Gym. I had a hard time remembering my belongings, sitting down and studying, and being smart about purchases. I was tested for ADD in the 6th grade. I tested positive. I have a learning disorder. However, I used to have a hard time calling it that. I could learn just fine. I was a smart kid. Kinda. I mean, we all ate glue when we were kids. Anyway, I have ADD. I am forgetful, impulsive, and it's damn hard for me to sit down and read the college textbooks.
The What: You know, I never felt hindered by my ADD until I came to college. All of this reading, these papers; it sucks. It's just really hard for me to sit down and start working. I have had to adapt to this new environment and a new way of teaching. There was one week when I would just call my mom, crying, because I didn't think I could do the work. (Granted I was also deathly ill with undiagnosed mono). She gave me some great advice and for the next three hours we strategized ways for me to get my work done.
The So What: Now, I have better resources and a system in place for dealing with 1) the everyday stresses of college 2) the overbearing workload 3) balancing my relationships both at home and at school 4) limiting my impulsivity to not buying so many cookies.
Honestly, when everything else is falling apart, i can always call my parents and they will help me figure it out. But here's the thing, my ADD doesn't control me anymore. I used to say I couldn't do the work, now, I know that I can do anything, as long as I am in control.