Struggling with ADHD and Poor Working Memory in College

I have poor working memory thanks to my ADHD and it’s made me question my path in life. I’m a college junior studying psychology and I can barely remember anything I’ve learned. I know this isn’t completely my own fault, the American school system is designed for information swallowing NOT retainment, but what do I do? I have excellent grades, lots of extracurriculars and I even work as a sexual assault victims advocate (non-mandated reporter). I love school, my professors, my friends, but what if it’s all a waste? What’s the point of me going to college, grad school, getting a job etc if I can’t even remember what I learned? What can I do to improve my memory?

Your answer

FrogFacedFool

2y ago

Keep a mini notepad with you and right down the stuff you need to remember. You can also use you phone to type stuff you need to remember for later.

ForestFemme

2y ago

Use your notes app liberally and set lots and lots of alarms! Focus on accommodating your working memory issues first, rather than trying to "fix" it. You may be able to improve your working memory some, but you can't ultimately change how your brain is wired. As for improving memory though, there is a wealth of phone apps and games dedicated to just that purpose, from flashcard apps to memory games! Try different ones and find the one you like best.

vitamin_T

2y ago

have you heard of anki? it's a flashcard program/app that's really popular among medical students and jeopardy contestants for memorizing stuff. i saw a big improvement when i started using it vs. my old studying methods. also - i promise you're going to be fine. i feel like people with ADHD are extra prone to overthinking things and catastrophizing things, just because our brains go so fast all the time. remember to reflect on what you've achieved before, and all the times you've had anxiety about your future only for things to turn out OK. it can be a hard thinking pattern to get into, but it's worth it. 💕

Kaitybug

2y ago

One thing that has really helped me with memory issues is writing things down a lot, and making sure my notes are detailed and clear so I can fully understand and remember what was being talked about/what I was thinking when I was writing.

StarWalker

2y ago

The only recommendation I can think of is maybe getting some mobile memory games on your phone? Sorry if that sounds dumb, but you never know, I guess?

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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