Learning Disability

[mero17]

Hi, I'm a pre-nursing student in my last semester before applying to nursing school. I received my diagnosis for ADHD since I was in the first grade. I'm on medication and have had an IEP my entire school career. Freshman year of college I didn't need to use it and did well with my gpa. But sophomore year I have been struggling with Anatomy and Physiology, I have a C in the lecture and a D in the lab. I just can't remember the amount of material I'm required to learn in such a short time, and then the models just look so different. I have always been a hard worker, I study usually at least two weeks prior to every exam and use a variety of ways. I especially use these threads for study tips, but I don't think I'm the best test taker. I have taken the pre-entrance exam three times and still can't pass the math portion of it. I have wanted to be a nurse since I was in the eighth grade and love it so much, but I know it only gets harder from here. As heartbreaking as it is I just don't know if I have what it takes to be able to become a successful nurse.

[FutureNurseInfo]

Hi,

I am sorry to hear you are experiencing some difficulties due to your ADHD diagnosis. I know it is such an inconvenience, but professionally speaking (teacher of 7 years), a lot of people actually have ADHD and do not even know it. The thing is, you have had it since you were 6-7, and I am sure you have figured out the best ways for you to learn and be successful. I urge that you channel it. Also, test taking is a skill, and you need to learn/practice it. For example, some students can only succeed when they take a multiple choice test. Others can only succeed if the test has open-ended questions. Others, on the other hand, can do both and be successful. One more thing, when you study for the test, or when you routinely read a chapter from the textbook, it is important not to just recite the content, but thoroughly internalize it. What I mean by this is, let's say you go over some terminology about circulatory system. You know what heart is, lungs etc. However, it is as well important to understand how these two organs work, interact and co-depend. Once you know, you will be able to do well in the lab. Thus is just an example. In short, when you study in general, you need to move from recitation, level 1, to application, level 3-4, to synthesis and evaluation, level 5-6. To help you with this, look up Bloom's Taxonomy.

In terms of the A&P, can you retake both, or at least the lab portion of the class? Looking back at your experience taking and going through this class, what was the most challenging? How do you know? Once you will be able to pinpoint it, you will be able to target it, should you choose to retake the class. If you do, make sure to seek out help as soon as you suspect you are not getting "it".

To wrap it up, never think of your ADHD, or any other disability, as a detriment to your success. Yes, it is an inconvenience. However, it is manageable. Also, if it does gravely affect you (let's say you will be denied an entrance into the program due to your disability) please know, the ADA (disability act) will protect you.

Good luck!

[mero17]

Thanks so much for the advice, I really appreciate it.