Studying tips for those with ADHD (and no prescription meds)

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Hello All,

I am currently in an accelerated nursing program. I am getting by with all As and two Bs. I do put in effort, but I haven't completely killed myself to receive these grades. I do not qualify for health insurance, so I am not on prescriptions to help my ADHD. It is within reason, but I definitely have to push myself HARD to "fight" it per se.

So I wanted to know if anyone has studying tips? For AP, I mostly memorize. I make flashcards. I bought some AP flashcards. I'm not too worried about AP or any math/pharmacy stuff. With that, it seems pretty generic to just memorize.

Now I am in my basic nursing classes. We actually have an exam and it is on two chapters. I was starting to make flashcards, but I looked and it is almost 60 pages of literature! I know this doesn't sound like much. But if you are making flashcards, it takes FOREVER. I had an exam on one chapter, last week, and it took nearly all day to make flashcards for 20 pages in a chapter.

I know people will say to just copy what is important. But it ALL is pretty important. And this teacher is not one that JUST asks important stuff. So skimming hardly seems to be an option. She asks the most random and irreleant (in my naive opinion) questions. I mean you could have studied EVERYTHING important, and you will get the "easiest" question, but NOT know the answer, since you felt you concentrated on the urgent/important stuff.

In a nutshell...any tips for studying 60 pages of nursing skills stuff? It's mainly on lifting, positioning, hygeine, skincare. I am shocked that the chapter on lifting/positioning is SO insanely long. There are TONS of charts and guidelines. I feel overwhelmed and would like to know how to study "smart" for this.

I have a somewhat hard time concentrating..but I am reallllly trying.

Thanks

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Seriously? 25 views and not ONE reply? I guess no one struggles with this.

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Im not quite in Nursing School yet but I do understand your frustration with studying with adult add. I find self-medicating with coffee helps me when I dont want to take my meds (concerta 36mg daily) Maybe that can help? Good Luck to you!

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WOW, out here YOU are NOT allowed into Nursing school with out Medical Insurance and proof of it!

Look into getting the Dam meds you NEED!!!...A Nurse Practitioner, Shrink or any Dr. can prescribe them. I was in the same boat and found a brilliant shrink that normally deals with kids; but she saw me and helped me so I could get through my pre-reqs!

JUST bring any and all documentation you have from your school history regarding AHAD, and any other related AHAD information from before, even if it is from your distant childhood. Even empty script pill bottles of AHAD Meds go a long way in showing you have needed this medicine before. Doing so really helped me. Share all this info and anything else you can think of with the Medical person you talk to. Lay it ALL on the line to them, cry if you have to, give your life history, MAKE them see your telling the truth and not some dumb assed junky looking for a fix. My Shrink is now one of my biggest supporters of me getting through Nursing school!

Normally (greedy) medical people that specialize in AHAD etc. (I have found around here) want 1000's of dollars to do an evaluation every TWO years, and want to start at $500.00 bucks to even meet with you! SCREW THEM BASARDS. Look to a trusted G.P., Nurse Practiner etc!

AHAD, or as it is now called more often, ADD, in Adults because Adults usually get better impulse control and/or can mask that aspect of their behavior a lot better as they age.

ADD is a very real and disabling medical condition that all adults do NOT SIMPLY, MAGICALLY, GROW OUT OF! That is a fact.

Medication for a significant percentage of these persons is the most successful way to live a functional, happy and successful life.

As a student you might be able to find a referral from student health to a Nurse Practitioner etc. due to your no medical INS. situation. I would look there for sure. They should have more than one referral to a low income med system.

FYI: A months dose of generic ADD meeds can cost 50 bucks or less at Costco...that is not much to succeed at nursing school if you ask me....

Costco drug pharmacies are super cheap! Costco does not REQUIRE YOU TO HAVE THE NORMAL PAID MEMBERSHIP IF YOU ARE JUST GOING IN FOR RX DRUGS AT THEIR PHARMACY. THIS IS AN UNKNOWN FACT! They were $100.00 cheaper than WALMART BY THE WAY!.

Large amounts or coffee or Coca-cola/Pepsi/Mt.Dew have helped in a pinch, but trust me, some of us can gain 50 pounds in under a semester going that way and it really is bad for you.

Forget the natural "HERBS" crap. They are untested, unsure, not standardized, not sterile and just foolish.

Hope something in here helps! GOOD LUCK!

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So I think I may have ADD also, just never been dianosed with it. My so on the other hand has been diagnosed with ADHD and he is 9 yrs old. His ADHD is causing alot of problems in school and I am against the medicine that they give for the kids, I tried everything also to try to get him to pay at least a lil more attention in class. I have heard the coffee remedy but no difference, maybe I did it wrong can you tell me how you drink your coffee is it all black coffee no sugar or cream classic, decaf, etc. . . . .?

Also to inbox, like I was saying I believe that I may have ADD also and I am also a student nurse, I have tried a lot of word association. It helps alot. . . . . . . .

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I think I may have ADD too, but I just started seeing someone who is labeling it Anxiety. We'll see. Her suggestion r/t massive quantities of information is to break up study times in chunks...45 minutes max, do something else for 10-15 minutes and return. Also, people learn best when the material is reinforced by another method. Say, I have to read a chapter. Fine, I read it (and my mind wanders 100 times, but I digress). Then I go back and take notes based on the section headings in the chapter or from a study guide/handout. Visual intake reinforced by written summation. The more ways to learn it the better (I have on-line courses, so I also have audio files to go with my powerpoint and book). And making to-do lists, so the distractions get written down, but put off for a more appropriate time.

Honestly, the only thing that really works right now deadlines and caffeine. I go for my second visit next Monday w/ some eval sheets. I've studied a total of maybe 2 hours this week. Quizzes due by Sunday night for my Lab & Lecture A & P 2 courses. You know what I'll be doing all day tomorrow. Adrenaline & caffeine induced cram session. Oh, and I think it helps me to go some place (other than my place) to study. Like the library, Panera Bread, etc.

For what it's worth, I'll check back with anything else she offers...

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Specializes in IMCU.

Read the objectives from your syllabus. Make knowing about safety (yours and the patient's) a priority. If powerpoints are used in class concentrate on the points covered in them.

For definitions of terms use the website associated with your textbook. I haven't come across one that doesn't have electronic flash cards.

I never make flash cards except for things I need to memorize (laboratory values, normal limits on vital signs etc.). I prefer to read the syllabus, then read the chapter thoroughly. As I read I try to identify potential test questions from the material.

Just my 2 cents.

Seems like if, without medication, you are getting "all As and two Bs" without a struggle you can't have very bad ADHD. Maybe when you have insurance again you should get a second opinion.

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I was diagnosed with ADD and have a really hard time concentrating. I was on the medication but I didn't like what it did to my body so I'm off. I study AWAY from my house. If I don't, I get caught up in needing to do stuff to my house, like paint my walls a different color (crazy, I know). I usually study at the big county library (I don't like our school's library) and that helps a lot. It helps me to focus when I know the people around me are focused too. I DO NOT do study groups. When I'm around my friends, I just want to talk about nothing school related. No tv, music, or anything else while you are studying. When I need a break (my mind starts to wander), I will get up from my seat and walk around the library for 10 minutes. All of the above really helps me! Good luck!

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Specializes in IMCU.
I was diagnosed with ADD and have a really hard time concentrating. I was on the medication but I didn't like what it did to my body so I'm off. I study AWAY from my house. If I don't, I get caught up in needing to do stuff to my house, like paint my walls a different color (crazy, I know). I usually study at the big county library (I don't like our school's library) and that helps a lot. It helps me to focus when I know the people around me are focused too. I DO NOT do study groups. When I'm around my friends, I just want to talk about nothing school related. No tv, music, or anything else while you are studying. When I need a break (my mind starts to wander), I will get up from my seat and walk around the library for 10 minutes. All of the above really helps me! Good luck!

Goodness -- I don't have ADD but I have to employ those strategies. I have been known to clean the oven rather than study. Perhaps I should be evaluated. Are needing those strategies really indications of ADD?

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LOL - true! I was told multi-tasking was a symptom of ADD/ADHD.

I guess that means than 99% of all mothers have it.

And I hear you on re-painting rooms, cleaning the oven, etc. instead of studying. For me, it's usually cleaning the grout in the kitchen! Wow.

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Specializes in IMCU.
LOL - true! I was told multi-tasking was a symptom of ADD/ADHD.

I guess that means than 99% of all mothers have it.

And I hear you on re-painting rooms, cleaning the oven, etc. instead of studying. For me, it's usually cleaning the grout in the kitchen! Wow.

I hate dirty grout...best I go clean mine because I have an ATI test coming up.:D

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