ADD & Low GPA

Student Lounge College Life
1

<p>hello all, I hope you're enjoying your day :) I will try to keep this brief</p>

<p>I am the academic type of student- I love learning. I am a physics major. My GPA is pretty low (my physics gpa is 2.7) and I'm in my junior year. I have always suspected that I have a learning disability- my inability to focus is really dragging me down academically. I'm not absorbing information and I try very hard. I really do. I've been too embarrassed to ask my doctor about testing me for it (I don't even know how to ask him!) but I feel like this is the next step. I've talked to friends, family, my significant other and professors about this issue I have in my head. I've asked others (students) if they have the same issues and by the sounds of it they don't have a really tough time focusing. </p>

<p>I really had high hopes of getting my PhD in physics, and it all seems to be fading away. Does this sound like I'm making an excuse for my low GPA (if I were to explain my GPA to grad schools for admission)? I'm not lazy and I'm totally passionate about physics. I know everyone can't have perfect grades and I try not to get hung up on the GPA, but instead actually learning the material.. but I can't even make it to that point. I sit myself in isolated rooms in the library, and still have this barrier. And I believe that there are very complex mental processes specific to mathematics.. and I would imagine that it takes very strong focus to successfully perform mathematical calculations- this is specifically my issue. </p>

<p>I still have 2 years left in college to prove myself in my higher level physics courses. I work hard, and have done several research projects and gone to conferences to present my work, have had a paper published with me as the second author- I really am passionate. My mental abilities (lack of) make me very depressed and although I know everyone can't have perfect grades.. I just feel like I am making an excuse for myself.. even though I know I actually struggle with my focus. </p>

<p>Advice.. please</p>

2

<p>Explaining to graduate admissions staff that you have a hard time focusing and absorbing information may cause them to question whether you will be able to succeed in graduate courses. You are better off showing an upward trend by getting your GPA to at least a 3.0 while gaining research experience for PhD admissions.</p>

<p>Do you ever study in groups with other people? Maybe you just have a hard time focusing when you’re alone in a quiet place. Everyone has their own style of learning; if you haven’t already, try making it more interactive and social by studying with a friend. </p>

<p>I do not think you should be embarrassed to talk to your doctor about your concerns with your ability to focus - especially when it seems you’ve discussed it with everyone else. Just be careful they don’t start throwing all kinds of drugs at you. Do your research about the options for ADD if you believe that is what you are feeling. Some doctors are too quick to diagnose it and get pill-happy. Be smart about your condition and ask a lot of questions to make an informed decision on treatment, if one is necessary. But I do think you should try more unconventional study methods if quiet and alone isn’t working for you. Are you a visual learner? Are there student tutors that can help?</p>