Hi so basically Im going to get an email at the end of December telling me that I’m being academically suspended for next semester (spring) due to cumulative GPA and not enough credits. I want to appeal this and was wondering If anyone could tell me if I have a good chance at it getting approved? I’ve quite recently just found out that there’s a possibility that I have ADHD along with my anxiety, which I had already been starting to go to the therapists here at my university for. I’ve had trouble reaching out for help when I needed it because I felt like since I’m in college I’m supposed to get everything done by myself, and I also couldn’t explain how I was feeling, because how do you tell tutors and professors that your brain refuses to let you do a assignment until its too late? I could never understand why I struggled so much when it came to getting help with school work, or more so why I had trouble completing it or focusing on it at all. After some research and some talk with my therapist, I’ve decided to get tested for possible for ADHD and am currently still going through that process. Once I realized that I might have figured out what my issue was, I felt that I could reach out for help from advisors and other resources here at my university. With the ADHD diagnosis, I’d be able to get accommodations for test taking and work, which I think would have a huge impact on my academic performance. I’d continue with therapy at school, as well as weekly meetings with a tutor or academic advisor until I feel I’m in a routine, and the second I feel I’m going to slip, I would schedule a meeting. I have high hopes for this appeal, because I’m hoping I’ll get medication for adhd which could help, and I now feel comfortable sharing my struggles, and I’ve learned to always reach out early on. Also, my advisor is also writing a letter on my behalf, which I’m hoping highers my chance as well?
Maybe shoot for getting the suspension converted to a medical leave of absence. Take the semester off, get your health and mental health in order, start the meds if that’s what’s necessary and wait until you’re back to peak performance to tackle college again! Why do you want to struggle again before you’ve got answers and a plan of action??? With your counselor’s help, get documentation for a medical leave and go back to college when you are ready…
I want to go back though…? I feel really good about school right now and haven’t felt this way in a while. I don’t need to leave school to get adhd figured out, I’m quite sure I have it along with my therapist. Now that I understand that, I’m able to ask for help in more specific areas. Going home will not fix that for me and I know that.
Sorry all im saying Is I just provided my plan of action is all
Meds are tricky. Maybe the first dose will be the right dose, or maybe it will take a few months for you to regulate.
Getting extra time is the easy part; relearning your method of attack for studying, writing papers, breaking your work up into manageable bits so you don’t procrastinate can take a long time to learn, practice, get it right.
Tutors are great. You need to find one who understands how YOUR brain works, and can help you focus the way YOU do, not what works for someone else. So you could get lucky with the first one, or you’ll need to switch it up.
My point is that right now you know that maybe, possibly, you have ADHD but no formal diagnosis. Which means you don’t actually have a plan in place, signed off by your healthcare team. The meds are the first step- but not the only step. You’ve got a lot of behavior modification ahead of you.
I hate to be a downer. But why rush it? Don’t get suspended- get a leave of absence. Get a job, start the meds if in fact, that’s what’s prescribed. Go back to college ready to go to every class, do every assignment on time, meet with your tutor/professors/TA’s as needed. College isn’t going anywhere…
I appreciate your advice, however leaving is not an option for me and I just wanted to know if anyone thinks my appeal would be approved
It won’t be approved if you don’t try.
When do you expect the diagnostic results? If these will be available prior to your appeal; you are confident you have the tools and support necessary for academic success next semester; you can demonstrate an upswing in grades from the start to end of this current semester based on the accomodations and support; I think it’s worth exploring an appeal.
I am continuing to try my best in the Classes im still enrolled in and yes im hoping to get these results before my appeal.
@purplequality by all means go for it. What you wrote in your first post was effective, no doubt, because you have a plan.
Just want to add that in our experience, and several professionals have told us this, there is no actual test for ADHD. If you do a neuropsych. test they may evaluate executive function and even try to evaluate focus. But the best way to get an ADHD diagnosis is through a psychiatrist and usually through a questionnaire. For my kid, at 18, they did a questionnaire and I, the parent, did one two based on my observations.
It would be great if you could get an ADHD coach to start out. They can be expensive but some colleges provide that kind of help. Getting the right med is indeed tricky but so is the timing because the college day is different every day. So do you take meds for the morning class or for the evening work on a paper? There are meds that are in your system all the time. It really helps to see a good psychiatrist who has expertise in this area.
I don’t have meds. Ive been trying to schedule an appointment with my doctor and I’ve already filled out a questionnaire that my doctors office sent. They’ve already messaged my doctor twice as I keep calling but there’s not much else I can do.
I’ve seen successful appeals.
They focus on two things-
1- Changes that have already been made
2- Support so that those changes- and some behaviors and habits are hard to break-- stick.
Appeals based on wishful thinking-- " I fell behind this semester but I’m going to make sure not to fall behind next semester" or “My grades do not reflect my performance and my understanding of the material. I know I can do better next semester” tend to be less successful.
So be specific- Where is the help coming from. Who is helping you organize your work so it’s in manageable, daily chunks. What lifestyle changes have you made to support these changes-- dropped back your hours at a parttime job to focus on schoolwork, increasing your meal plan so you have breakfast every morning and then going off to the library even if your first class isn’t until 11 am, etc.
Good luck.
Thoughts @hanna?
Do you have financial aid? If so, you likely haven’t met satisfactory academic progress for that to continue also.
Regarding just the academic suspension…most colleges will want to see that you have done something that improved your performance…and I don’t mean just taking ADHD medications. It’s very possible that the school will want you to take the time to stabilize your situation so that you won’t repeat your poor academic progress. This isn’t a bad idea.
I would say…don’t rush back into a situation you don’t know will work…and you really don’t know now.
Yes, you can appeal the suspension, so try that. But if it’s not approved, ask if you can take one course at a time while you are suspended, and then do so at a local CC and show that you can do the coursework.
I have done a lot towards the end of this semester to help myself, even though I feel like I should just give up. Im still going to counseling, Im still meeting with my advisor, Im still doing the best I can in the class I am passing. I have a letter of support from my advisor and might see if I can get one from the professor of my passing class. All im asking is if people think I have a chance of my appeal being approved. That is all.
My oldest son was diagnosed adhd by his pediatrician at 12, his teachers and I filled out questionnaires. My youngest son had a full neuropsychological evaluation at 18 (not for suspected adhd). The questionnaire I filled out was the lengthiest most thorough questionnaire I’ve ever filled out, endless. I didn’t complete it in one sitting. We had it done because we needed paperwork for tuition insurance reimbursement as well as providing proof for accommodations from the college’s disability department, which is required.
I want to speak with my doctor but she’s taking forever to say something/reach out to me
You are only passing one class. It is good that you’re going to counseling, that you’ve begun the process of potentially getting a diagnosis of ADHD, with the eventual goal of treatment. However, I think that all of this is too little, too late, for being allowed to continue for next semester, especially if you are receiving financial aid. Yes, go ahead and try to appeal, but I do not think that it will be successful.
I think that your best bet will be to move back home, enroll part time at the local community college and also work part time in a job with regular hours, work with your pediatrician on a diagnosis of ADHD and a trial of medication, and hopefully, you will get things in hand. You can do this for the spring and the summer semesters, and hopefully go back to your 4 yr college in September.
Try to schedule the soonest appointment that you can get with your doctor from home, presumably a pediatrician. Some pediatricians diagnose and treat ADHD, some refer to pediatric/adolescent psychiatrists. There is also probably a psychiatrist in your area who specializes in ADHD.
BTW, just a word to the wise. If you are using alcohol, marijuana, or any other substances, stop now, completely, not only because they interfere with executive functioning, but also because most MDs will not prescribe ADHD meds to someone who is actively using.
If you have trouble with anxiety too, look into atomoxetine or viloxazine. They have both SSRI-like function (and so can help with anxiety) and seem to improve executive functioning. Plus they are not controlled substances, so pediatricians and internal med docs are more comfortable prescribing them for young adults with a first time diagnosis, since there is no risk of diversion or abuse.
I have worked in team evaluations and know that it takes a LOT of time and multiple approaches to get your overall wellness and health strong.
You will have a lot of appointments and scheduling issues especially if you’re in college. There is only so much time in a quarter or semester to get assignments in. There’s only so much leeway that the professors will give you during your quarter / semester.
Medical insurance and coverage for your visits and medication and counseling needs to be approved by the providers. That takes time and money.
You don’t know if any medication is going to make you drowsy. Some of my students complained of feeling spacey on certain medications.
You don’t know if just putting academic changes in place is going to help; that’s why you need to take a medical leave of absence. Your physician cannot get back to you immediately because there are a series of events that have to be aligned:
Appointments with several professionals.
Their medical reports and summaries.
Team conclusions or recommendations.
Lab results.
Student disability center access.
Your advisor can promote the fact that you might be ready to go back the next quarter or semester, but if you have ADHD, you need a thorough evaluation and I don’t think your advisor can provide that.
I realize that you don’t see going home as an option, to get all of this done, but what if you return to school and fail? Along with having academic support in place you also must provide for your personal needs. Who’s going to do your laundry? How much sleep will you be able to get? How much time are you reserving for studying independently?
Here is another major issue: your health insurance.
At some point you will “age out” of someone’s medical insurance.
The college can only carry you at a limited level of health care. Their funding is very limited. Believe me I know what their funding is like.
Medicaid can only carry you based on medical recommendations and prescriptions from the team.
Someone has to pay for your care via personal funds or medical insurance.
You cannot predict the future. Given that I’ve been through this issue with a lot of young adults, I don’t think you’re ready to return the next semester/quarter. That’s just my opinion.
One other thing. If you have a diagnosis and professionals supporting you, you may be able to do a retroactive medical withdrawal which can wipe your grades clean and improve your record. This is not possible at all schools but it has been done.
One of my kids had two medical leaves during college (epilepsy) and it is a glitch in their memory now. They came home, tried some meds, and then used the time out doing internships- both times.
One of mine (different kid) has severe ADHD and so we have some experience with trying meds and counseling and tutoring. They ended up working, which organized them, and taking two classes at a time.
No matter what you do, you have many options. Clearly you want to continue and I think it is a good idea to send that appeal letter, which is well-written. If rejected, you will still be fine. If accepted, you still need to really think this through as I am sure you are doing.