[Ranger Tim]

Laffman,

Yes. I have felt/heard/been there with you since I was a kid. I have severe ADHD, I’m in my early forties, and I finally just finished five years of college for a B.S. in Environmental Education. I declared two majors, but was unable to finish my second due to familial situations, so I graduated with my one major and with three minors to boot!

Fortunately many colleges and universities recognize ADHD as a Learning Disability, so there are extended test times, extensions on turning in class work, counselors, etc. to help you succeed.

( Unlike when I first went to college in 1987. In fact, the first thing they did back then to help me was take me off the Ritalin that got me thru high school! It was believed to cause depression at late adolescence. )

I excelled in some classes such as Animal Behavior where I scored the highest grade percentage ever posted at the school. On the other hand I passed my Advanced Algebra class by the skin of my teeth literally, because I made such an incredible effort to pass it, the professor gave me the benefit of passing with a “D” to graduate. He knew I understood the work, but wasn’t able/couldn’t focus on writing it. On the other hand I scored an “A” in Statistics, go figure. The ADHD mind is truly a mystery.

The greatest challenge was as college progressed, so did the stress and with that the increased inability to focus. I was/am on meds and counseling, and it wasn’t enough to help the ADHD and depression that came with it. So, with all the tutoring, extensions on work, special test help, folks dictating my work, librarians sitting down with me to keep me focused on internet research, campus security helping me to find where I parked my car – I would lose it sometimes, friends making sure I ate, weekly counseling sessions, and academic guidance I found myself needing something I never had before… an assistant. And the school couldn’t provide that nor the social service folks. Yet, I found someone who met with me at breakfast to make sure I took my meds, spent three or four days a week sitting with me going over mail, homework, daily schedules, organizing my work, room, etc., and making sure I remembered important dates such as doctor appointments. It took so much to succeed, but I did, and when I crossed the graduation platform most of my graduating class stood and cheered.

I aught to post this story by itself for folks to peruse, but my point here is – you can succeed and excel scholastically.

– Do not use ADHD as a crutch, don’t use it as an excuse, but know your limitations on what you can succeed at and have councilors test you if you need to find out what those limits are.

– Be patient with professors and folks that don’t understand your disability, don’t take advantage of those who do, and work with others like yourself. One of my best friends/dorm mates had/has Aspergers and we got along great and helped each other.

– Don’t be too proud to ask for help, get as much as you can and be open to new ideas like asking the librarians if they can sit with you to stay on track while working at the library.

– Age means nothing I started my college career in 1987 and finally graduated in 2007 with a Bachelors. Hallelujah!

With in one year to the date of graduation I started a job as a national park ranger at Yellowstone National Park, fulfilling a life long dream. You can succeed also just have faith, patience, determination, a good sense of humor, and strong passion for what you want to excel at.

Now, it’s on to that darn Masters degree… sigh.

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