Study Tips for PY1 with ADHD

[jrc241]

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Hello, im a PY1 who just started pharmacy school back in august. I have dealt with ADHD my entire life and had done well in school. I take medication for it of course but it isn't a magic pill where im all of the sudden rain man (im sure most of you all know lol). Anyways I regularly attend class, watch and read anything pre-class and study everyday extensively. Im having trouble developing a system (the best way I can put it) for what I should do pre-lecture, during lecture, and post lecture, along with spaced repetition, regular studying the older material, and prepping for blocks. It seems some of the questions ive missed are topics I wasn't sure were very important. I have my 2nd set of blocks this weekend and have been studying a lot and just really noticed that with the time I've put in im having I haven't retained the information as well as id hope. The things i've noticed are trouble retaining the in depth details of concepts and remembering them. I understand them well its just keeping things fresh and in my head. Im currently doing good but not as well as id hope for. I know thats its late to apply anything at this point in the next two days lol but im looking for the rest of the blocks. I really prefer to handwrite notes because I feel amongst the various ways ive tried its seems to do me best with the comprehension and the concentration issues.

 

[DinosaurRx]

I can't tell you what will work for you, but I can share what I did. Brief background, I never learned good study skills in undergrad because I'm a good test taker and retain information easily. The same laid back style didn't work as well for me in pharmacy school. What I worked out was to:

1) do pre-reading/podcasts before lecture if assigned

2) take notes on the lecture PowerPoint slides. I used a tablet and the iAnnotate program, but you could also print them out. I liked the tablet because I could take photos of the professors drawings or notes too.

3) rewrite notes, in my own words when possible. (I didn't always get through ALL of this, but I tried)

4) form a small study group, walk through each section of the study material, and quiz each other with questions.

I truly believe #4 was the key. I learned the most and retained the most from asking/answering questions. My classmates could explain things that I didn't get and helping explain other answers to them helped me learn it better. Plus it was fun and so I wasn't painfully bored the entire time.

This is what worked for me. You'll have to feel out what style works for you. Best of luck!

 

[zona2016]

ANKI and quizlet are awesome to review heavy memorization courses.