Hey guys, I haven't been on in a while, but I have something to tell you. I got a 4.0 with 18 credits this semester in college for the first time ever. I literally cried. I have never be able to that. With that being said, I would love to share the things I have learned about college with the ADHD mind
Yes I was on medication, but I also was my freshman and first semester of sophomore year and I definitely didn’t get those grades.
Another message is I didn’t come close to these grades in high school. Even when I finally got medication. You highschoolers can certainly do it, but just remember that it gets easier in college. The work may be harder, but the college environment is just magical for the ADHD brain.
So here are the things I’ve learned to help me boost my GPA
1. The classes you take and in what order matter. Sometimes you don't have a choice, but try to plan your classes the best you can. My lowest GPA semester was when I took anatomy, physics and a level 3 Spanish class i was forced into when i wanted level 1. Three heavy classes was bound to take a toll on me. Try to mix "easy" and hard classes. Or a hard class with a great professor. Try to check rate my professor before picking a class. Some professors just don’t want to see you succeed
Always do the best you can do, but if you don't do well remember you tried.
Make sure to always keep in contact with your dean to make sure your on track to graduate.
2. *HAVE A STUDY GROUP* !!!!! Soo important. I have a main group, but within that group is my main study friend. We set goals together and try to take most of the same classes together. This semester we said we were going to get a 4.0 and we pushed each other till we both did. And that leads me to point 3..
3. Always organize study materials! My study group makes a google docs and we put definitions, diagrams and notes in an organized, highlighted way. Some of our study sheets for one test can be 30 pages long. It's hard to do that alone. If you don't have a study sheet to learn from, your going to be stuck flipping through your book and that can waste time. Yes read the textbook if that helps you or your instructed to do so, but when it comes down to crunch time and you have 2 days left to study, you have to just study the main points.
4. Organize your study plan ahead of time. Make all flash cards, Quizlets( my go to) , notes before!! That could take hours and your stuck with perfect materials but no time to learn them. I try( doesn't always happen) to make them after each lecture, or hw. Ask your prof how the format will be because you don't wanna start too early and find out is not even on that topic.
5. Know what works best for you when it's time to study- If a quiet environment works do it, if you need to be around people to keep you focused do it! Although I have a study group, I definitely need time to review on my own. I need hours alone with just my notes to memorize.
6. Figure out of the Mozart effect works for you- for the longest time I didn't like music when studying. Music was very distracting, but then I found this ! Binaural beats! I thought it was fake, but it really helped me retain soooo much and it helped me keep my focus.
Do your research on it see if there are any side effects for any special cases.
7. USE YOUR ACCOMMODATIONS- if you don’t have them yet, you should get them. Do not be embarrassed, people will wonder where you are during every test, who cares. Get the extra time or a quiet room you deserve.
8. Sit in the front in every class- You will be less inclined to go on internet and zone out your professor is right in front of you being super loud. Get to class early to get your seat until it becomes your ‘unassigned, assigned seat’ or use your accommodations to have that seat saved for you.
I know my other points were mostly about studying and less about the other parts of class that can get you to your grade goal. But some general tips for that is always start work ahead of time. Always leave time for procrastination and other assignments,When you get your assignment, plan the essay or start looking for the answers in a relaxed area. You will feel more inclined to do it if you don't feel pressure. I like to sit with coffee or snack and just highlight the stuff that might help me, or find some citations for the paper. Just the really basic stuff. Then the next time,I just start the introduction. The hardest part is to find a direction for the paper. Then do it by pages or paragraphs. Divide it for how ever many days you have till it's due. Try to have it done at least 3 days before the deadline so you can get some one to check it and you have time for corrections. I hope someone can find something useful from this. if you want for info on anything or a part 2 to this post I will certainly do one.
I know it's summer time but I'll share it again when school rolls around in August/September. I hope everyone enjoys their summer
