I've always done well in school unless I bump into authority. AKA I cannot handle stupid teachers. Never could. My biggest issues were keeping up with ongoing projects. I don't journal well, and I do everything at the last minute. My coping strategies until college were: ... well... cram for everything and just barely get it all done. That's about it.
I finally went to my Dr. and told her I had ADD (gee I was right) and now when i'm on my medication steadily I do slow down, and I am more motivated to work on longterm "projects" instead of individual assignments. My biggest issue is that Strattera is not like the speed meds. So it has to work its way into my system and missing a dose seems to be more common with me than my brother (who's on concerta).
In class I always have an extra notepad for drawing, my classmates love to come see what I did after class. If my mind is really racing I try to have something to do with my hands, silly putty, knitting... something. I'll write out song lyrics to something that's calming if there's nothing better for me to do. I study in front of the TV because it's easier to focus that way. I've also walked around the house doing things with a book in my hand my entire life. Keeps my mind busy or something. I can read and turn pages with one hand
Kevin, an ADD Coach is kind of "in" right now. It's like "life coaching." They help you get things organized and figure out how to compensate and deal with your ADD in everyday life. Making schedules and that sort of thing too. It's like a step or two down from therapy and a step or two up from self-organization. (Not that one's better or worse)
Anyway, I'm lucky that my particular challenges have worked well with school for the most part. I've also had very understanding teachers. It is interesting though that no one ever picked up on it with me, even though my younger brother was diagnosed several years before me. He however was struggling in school and running circles in his room (literally), I got good grades and read a book. Reading is the one thing that I'm almost never distracted from. Well, reading for fun
/yay for doing a presentation on adult ADD last semester
//damn i rambled.