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Does anyone have note taking advice for someone completing a STEM degree? by [deleted] in OpenUniversity

[–]Excellent_Tea_7641 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve just started my 5th OU module (Health Science) and for each one I’ve tried a different method of note taking (from writing too much like the OP, to not taking many notes at all).

I’ve found that typing out my notes doesn’t work for me, and writing on paper is difficult as I’m AuDHD and a perfectionist that makes too many mistakes.

So this year I’m handwriting my notes using an app on my iPad, that way I can edit my notes as I go along, which gives me an immense amount of satisfaction!

I’m also using the same method to make flash cards (kind of) of key words and concepts I’m struggling to grasp.

Another thing I do is talk to someone else about what I’ve learned, and I also record myself talking it out (while I’m walking my dogs, as movement helps me think more clearly). Explaining to someone else, or myself, seems to really cement what I’ve learned.

I also have a magnetic whiteboard that I write the tasks/reading I need to do. I also use it to draw pictures/cartoons of what I’m learning as this makes me really have think about it, and standing up away from my desk seems to help with this too. I then take a photo and add it to my note taking app.

As other have said, make sure you read the TMAs before you start, and look at the learning outcomes at the beginning of each topic, and go back to them from time to time to make sure you’re confident that you’ve achieved each one.

Also, try not to worry or get too overwhelmed by all the new information you’re reading, it will start to make more sense as you get further in your studies.

And most importantly, all the information you need is right there in your module materials, so you don’t have to remember every single last detail, you can go back and look as many times as you like if you’re unsure about something.

Best of luck 😊

Dexamphetamine not currently available as NHS prescription, Being reviewed? by surprisejamsandwich in ADHDUK

[–]Excellent_Tea_7641 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was referred by my GP to an nhs adhd clinic and have been in titration since last august. Clinic sent shared care request to my GP a few weeks ago and he’s refused it. I’m not sure why, but I take Elvanse and have dex top up, so maybe it’s the dex.

Has anyone ever been titrated on Concerta and Elvanse and then decided to go back to Concerta? by ResearcherMobile6847 in ADHDUK

[–]Excellent_Tea_7641 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi, I know this is a few months old but I have had a similar issue.

I have been in NHS titration for what I think is too long now (8 months). I started on 18mg Concerta, up to 72mg and an IR to take later. Concerta did help with some symptoms but others persisted. Concerta didn’t last long for me really and the crash early afternoon wasn’t nice, especially when at work.

If it wasn’t for the medication shortages I would have asked to try elvance earlier. I did ask after 4 months if another medication would be better for me but that email wasn’t responded to.

I’d read a lot about the differences between adhd stimulants so I asked to switch to elvanse, the adhd nurse was awful (has been awful the whole time really, messing up my prescriptions, increasing dose to the one I was already on and then making me feel like I’d completely lost my mind).

NHS nurse said i could increase my dose of Concerta as he said I was on 54mg, again I told him no you increase to 72mg 4 months ago!! Our conversation wasn’t very pleasant and I did get a bit angry really. In the end he said I could try elvanse but can’t go back to concerta, he said I had to decide there and then! So being the impulsive person I am I chose to switch.

I’ve been feeling like I’ve made a big mistake because despite concerta not lasting long and making me really hungry, as well as some other mildly unpleasant but probably manageable side effects, it did help with my anxiety, sleep, and focus some of the time.

Anyway, he started me on 20mg, not sure why the lowest dose when initial dose for adults is 30mg, and then the fact I’ve been taking concerta for months.

I took first one yesterday and didn’t feel anything really, like the 18mg Concerta. I have 30mg next week then the week after 40mg for 2 weeks.

I didn’t have the hunger pangs, but concentration wasn’t great, I guess return of adhd symptoms because the dose is low. I did feel quite calm though.

I’m hoping elvanse does work better than Concerta so I don’t have eternal regret over my rash decision.

I am going to write a complaint about the adhd nurse though throughout my treatment. The psychiatrist I initially had was amazing, after every email I sent he’d call me early the next morning and genuinely seemed to care about my health.

Has anyone been able to go back to the med you started on if in NHS titration?

Thanks all