Experiences with ADD/ADHD

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I heard a LOT about these disorders when I was in college.
I had a ton of problems in college learning and completing assignments and such for the first time in my life, and when I would describe my troubles to professors they would say that what I was describing sounded a lot like ADD. I talked with some friends that have ADD and they said it sounded like I had it.

I wasn't really convinced because I thought I could focus just fine, but the one thing that I've noticed is that I find coffee to be very calming and it helps me focus and just generally feel very centered. I looked around on the internet about this and apparently the only time this is really a thing is when people have ADD.

That made me do a double take.
However, up until recently I feel as though I've been able to harness my powers of concentration quite at will, but now I'm kind of at a loss.
And while in college about 5 different professors numerous times mentioned that I might have some kind of ADD/dyslexia combination.
SO, what does ADD look like for you guys? How do you know you have it?

Before I was diagnosed with Aspergers I was diagnosed with inattentive ADD. I think the ADD was a misdiagnosis as Aspergers better explains my symptoms. I have poor attention towards topics that do not interest me but hyper focus for my special interests that far exceed the attention span of an ordinary person. I am often distracted by other stimuli and can only focus on one thing at a time. I think this is pretty much the case for those the autism spectrum. I would assume that those with inattentive ADD would struggle with attention in all topics, not just those that they were not interested in.

I've never had a cup of coffee in my life, but I have tried all the common stimulants used to treat ADD. Sure the stimulants like Adderall helped me focus on everything, but I would pretty much expect that to have the same effect on anybody who takes them. I just couldn't tolerate the side effects so I quit ADD medication altogether.

I could written your post Unfortunate_Aspie, or well-enough.

Whenever I bring up that I might have ADHD to anyone they're like 'how were you as a kid?' Wherein I really didn't meey those requirements, I will never be officially diagnosed with AD in part of the world at least.

I was not aware that that effect of coffee was only found in those with ADD.