Gifted Daughter in third yr of college have focus issues

Monique - posted on 01/30/2011

I agree, Alisa, it would be unusual for her to have developed ADD due to one class. I think it comes down to something gifted children struggle with: being a perfectionist and finding something to be a challenge when most other things have not been. I hope she was able to get through the class, and if not, that she found another suitable science class. Good luck!

Alisa - posted on 01/29/2011

Could be Anatomy is just not for her - and she is blocking it. Can she cut that class and take another science class that is better suited for her? If she has done so well in her other classes, it seems odd that she would noe be ADD in just that one class. It could also be the style the professor uses that she can't relate to. Good luck to her!

Monique - posted on 01/27/2011

I have a gifted home schooled daughter, who graduated a year early and is now in her sophomore year in college at age 19. She got a full academic scholarship at a private out of state college halfway across the country. Her problem is also being a perfectionist. It causes her a great deal of stress if things don't go exactly the way she wants them to. She is taking 19 credits this semester (some are voice/choir) but has been thrown off her game by her boyfriend been in military training, and therefore not having daily contact, as well as an incident of her dorm building flooding where she ended up having to sleep on other peoples' sofas for a week. This unnerved her to no end. She is back in her dorm now, and will be able to see her boyfriend in 2 weeks, so she is getting back to normal. But she said during the time she could not be in her room, she could not concentrate on her studies at all. She finally went to see the school counselor and that helped a lot.

It is not unusual, though, to see her, and other gifted kids we know, take a setback harder than one who is not gifted. Last year it was one particular class, just like your daughter, that she found so challenging that it was consuming her. I told her to form a study group, and to make sure she identified the students who were getting A grades so she could invite them to join. In addition to that, I told her to go speak with the professor about her concerns. It was a success. She has not had any trouble with any other class since.

I realize the semester is over now, but I recommend any or all of these three things should this come up again. Hope everything has worked itself out!

Donna - posted on 12/02/2010

Looks like she is stressed that she may not do so well in this class .I have heard this many times from my overachievers and they looked for something to blame .Its so hard for them to admit they may have taken on too much.Its a lesson we should step back and watch ...they have to learn that life will take them there many times.We are not perfect ,we can pick our selves up and have do overs. We can learn to accept that trying hard and learning from our mistakes is enough.Dont help her name this just be there.

Ann - posted on 11/28/2010

Yes, Barbara..she is an overachiever and expects a lot. She's a perfectionist. I had to 'teach' her (at age 6) that it was "ok" NOT to have something 'perfect'. She does go to the gym 3-4 times a week to work out. I hope she's eating ok, not sure all the time. I'm pretty sure she doesn't rest enough...what college student does. LOL. She also works. She's taking 17 units and I told her I thought it was too much, but she wants to be 'done' in 4 years. What's a parent to do?

Barbara - posted on 11/24/2010

I have a son who is gifted, too. It sounds as if she is overwhelmed. My son is an overachiever and expects a great deal of himself. sounds like your daughter does that, too. If she just had the one class to worry about, it probably wouldn't be a big deal, but I'm sure she has other classes that demand her attention, too. Does she do any kind of stress reduction activities? Encourage her to do some relaxation techniques, get plenty of rest, and eat right. If she really is concerned about having ADD, there are usually professionals on campus that she could see to find out. They would be able to help guide her through these times.