Hi seriousperson! I saw your post to the recently diagnosed poster, and that you are a librarian! I have always wanted to go back to school for a graduate degree in library science, but for two things: the loans (ouch) and the ADD. Could I ask you how you dealt with a program like that with ADD? I understand that it is usually within the school of Information Science, and involves a lot of data skills and computer science. I really don’t know if I could handle that kind of a program, so I’d just be interested to hear your thoughts on it.

I have a college degree in English, am a magazine writer and editor and avid reader. I was a pretty good student in classes related to my major – but math and science are a nightmare for me – tutors, tantrums, the works. I denied for a long time that I could possibly have ADHD because I have always loved books more than anything else (I would be happy left alone to read for years on end I think), it is the only thing I have ever been able to concentrate on and public libraries are the most peaceful and inspiring places in the world for me. Which is of course why I thought I couldn’t possibly have ADHD, because I read more than anyone else I know (other than my family – we’re all like this). I have since researched the topic though, and found that it is actually quite common for an ADHDer to have one activity that they can actually focus on, and they’ll do it almost to the exclusion of everything else because it the only thing that brings calmness. Anyway, so my husband encourages me to look into scholarships for a program, but I’m just afraid that given my problems I would not do well in the program, or possibly with all the tiny details that I imagine librarians have to contend with every day.

At any rate, I’d be very interested to hear how you dealt with a graduate program with ADD, and what your job as a librarian is like. Any tips or advice appreciated. Thanks, and take care.

hi-
i know i am not who you asked, but i do have a few tips, having jsut completed a JD, and only have applied meds and behavior mod to my FINAL SEMESTER when i was diagnosed:

- if you do it, talk to your professors. you dont' have to tell them what you "have" but you can certainly talk about your specific difficulties
i have been shocked at how willing people are


- go to a school close enough to home to stay at the school before going home-- make that "public library" or place at your school the place you work, don't bring work home if you can avoid it

- every day details- i find that when they are connected to the big picture of helping a client or doing the bog picture work, i can get them done-also, find a place to work (as you already know) - whether through internships or after school-- that gives you teh feedback you require to stay on track (for me, i know i need an open door boss who gives me positive feedback for my challenges)

- mainly, follow your dream.I am reminded by my therapist that i can't assume i will not do well in the future based on my past, because I am constantly working on changing my present....so then my expectation is that i will do a better job manned with these new skills...

-

Thank you very much for your reply. It sounds like you have some really good ways of coping. Another reason I am afraid to apply or look into scholorships has to do with how you mentioned staying close to home. The degree is not offered anywhere in my state. There are online courses and I could travel periodically, but I just feel as if the odds are stacked against me. On the one hand, I don't want to be defeatist, but then reality sets in that we have my husband's law school loans and not much money, I have a screwy brain and not sure I'd do well, and then I'd have to pay out of state tuition and try to contend with online courses and periodic travel (more expense and time off from my job). Sigh. Then of course library funding is always getting cut, so not sure it's a wise move. I'm babbling again.
Thanks very much for the suggestions, I appreciate that!

Carissaadder, Thank you for answering Sylvia with practical advice.
I am just going to post a somewhat brief reply now, with more later when I'm in my usual stream-of-consciousnes-venting-to-the-world mode. ;)

Slyvia, I am like you in many ways, but also perhaps different. For one thing, OCD is considered normal in my family (though ADD is not). The OCD gives me that ability to attend to all those details, though the ADD can make completion of a project very difficult.
When I was in library school classes (San Jose State) during the summer, many of my fellow students were school teachers (I too was employed as a school "librarian" at the time). They were familiar, no doubt, with the symptoms of ADD, whereas I was not, at the time. I frequently recall a moment when I couldn't keep straight two similar terms for two similar forms of html code, and had to ask several times; an English teacher gave me a serious look that I was not able to interpret until 6 years later when I was finally diagnosed with ADD.
I will answer more of your questions later, with regards to ADD and Librarianship.
For now I just want to confirm what you've already noticed: scholarships for an MLIS are hard to come by and typically skimpy. You might have better success with an on-campus job that gives you hands on experience in the library.
Try to think about and post what your expectations and imaginings are for a future for you with the degree in Library and Information Science.

:wave:

You are facing tough decisions---i do wonder sometimes if i had known what i know now about myself if i would have chosen a different way to get to the goal....a degree that didn't require this type of study perhaps. The money thing is huge- absolutely huge- i know. I guess I just wouldn't allow the ADD to make the decision for you, but the whole picture.

i know i coudl not do an online course, i need a person in front of me---so you will have to weigh it all i guess- talk to your husband, look at the big picture and maybe see if there is a way to do it that won't break you or your bank down! good luck-c