As you walk down a hallway in school, you usually think that everyone is smarter than you and you’re just not good enough for your classes, but the truth is, many students have learning differences. Common ways of referring to some learning differences are ADD and ADHD (attention deficit disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). There are many symptoms of ADD/ADHD you might realize you have experienced for years — “zoning out” without realizing you are in a conversation with another person, extreme distractibility, difficulty paying attention or focusing, struggling to complete tasks, temptation to overlook details, and most common of all, poor listening skills. Learning differences are not easy to go through when trying to succeed in school. They can even frustrate teachers. Some people might think students are just lazy. But that is not true. Advice: Teachers must find out when a student has a learning difference and keep working with them, even in higher-level classes. Advice: Students must overcome doubt and accept their difference — and fight through the struggle. Life doesn’t come with instructions; so it’s impossible to be perfect. Learning differences may be hard to live with and be hard to overcome, but it’s possible to become a successful human being with any of these conditions. At Trinity, Ms. Mary Ann Hall is the Learning Support Program Director. She works with students who have learning differences and their teachers by discussing ways to improve students’ learning strategies. Mrs. Linda Whitworth, who has taught students with various kinds of learning differences at Trinity for many years, said, “I have taught students with ADD, and they have been pretty successful.” One student with ADD said, “I’ve noticed that I forget things a lot and that it’s hard for me to focus on more than one thing. My ADD has never kept me from having a good attitude. For the most part, I don’t let it bother me.” That student had some advice for younger students with ADD: “Try to organize yourself. Set up routines so you can remember what you need to do.” ADD, ADHD or whatever learning difference you have, you’re a genius in your own way. Kids should be aware of their differences and know that nobody is meant to be perfect. The best thing to do is not lose confidence in yourself and fight to succeed. You may not always succeed in life, but know it’s not because of your difference – just the fact that life isn’t easy.