ADHD can affect executive functioning skills, like planning, prioritizing, time management, and organization. This can result in forgetting assignments, procrastination, and losing focus while studying. It can feel overwhelming and exhausting to try and juggle all the assignments and exams.
There is hope for college students to overcome these barriers and thrive in college. It takes a little extra work and finding what works best for them. Here are five tips we recommend to college students with ADHD:
Find a Planner System That You Will Actually Use
Planners are a great tool for keeping track of everything you have to do in college... and there is a lot. Using a planner can help you know what needs to get done when you sit down to do homework.
"I've tried using a planner, but I never touch it." "My virtual classroom tells me what assignments are due." "I just remember what my professor says is homework.”
These are comments we hear from a lot of students. We urge students who don't like planners to give it one more try. Writing down homework everyday can help ensure you don't overlook an assignment. It can also help declutter the "to do" list in your mind. It also gives you a hit of dopamine when you get to cross something off your to do list.
So, how should you use your planner?
First, think about if you function better with digital or physical planners.
If you like to use physical paper to take notes, a physical planner might be the best option for you.
For the physical planner people - Choose a planner where you love the layout. Do you like it to have a spiral or it to look like a book? Do you like a monthly spread, weekly spread, or daily spread? Once you have a planner where you love the format, fall in love with the routine of using it.
Consistency is KEY for long term success. Get into a routine of writing down your assignment as soon as your professor mentions it. Make the first step of your homework routine pulling out your planner and writing down what you have to do.
For the digital people - find the best digital platform that works for you. Again, look for a platform or app with a format you like.
Record All Upcoming Due Dates
Many students with ADHD “live in the present” and have a difficult time seeing into the future. That can lead them to waiting until the last minute to do a big assignment. We recommend overcoming this barrier by writing down upcoming assignments on your calendar.
At the beginning of a new semester, go through each syllabus and write down exams and due dates in your calendar. We recommend using a different color for each class. A week before each exam, write down in your planner to start studying.
Also record due dates of essays and projects. When you get closer to the due date and know what the project entails, break the project into smaller pieces. Then, plan time on your calendar and in your planner to do each of those tasks.
For example, if you have a big essay due in one month, break down the essay into smaller tasks including:
Pick your topic
Create an outline
Decide on main points of each paragraph
Find supporting evidence for each main point
Research
Write thesis
In the weeks before the project is due, schedule in time to do each of these smaller tasks. Then, the week the project is due, you won't be scrambling at the last minute.
Find the Study Technique That Works For You
Are you a visual or auditory learner? If you are a visual learner, consider turning your notes into mind maps or charts. If you are an auditory learner, consider finding a podcast or YouTube video that explains things in a new way.
Instead of passive studying (reading over your notes), try active studying.
Some ideas for active studying include:
Pretend to teach a topic to someone else (or actually have a friend listen to you)
Come up with questions to ask before you read a chapter
Make flashcards physically or online
Study with a friend and ask each other questions
Create a practice test for yourself
Rewrite your notes in a different format
Modify Your Environment
Your environment plays a big role in how productive you are. Studying in a place that is distracting for you can limit your attention. Identify where you work best, what time you work best, and what usually distracts you.
Some questions to ask yourself to better understand when and where you should study are:
Where are you most productive?
Is it in the library around other students who are studying?
Or is it in your dorm room by yourself?
What time of the day do you do your best studying- in the morning before class or late at night?
How often do you need to take a break?
When you do take a break, what does it consist of, and how do you get yourself back on track?
Do you like to ease yourself in by doing the easiest assignment first?
Or, do you like to get the hardest one over with?
Knowing your ideal study environment can remove barriers to your productivity.
Get an Academic Coach
Academic coaches help you figure out the routines and systems that work best for you. Academic coaches can help you create organizational systems and time management skills. They also can help teach you study skills and note taking skills. Additionally, academic coaches can help you identify and stick to your goals.
NeemaStudy is an academic coaching service for students who struggle with ADHD. We problem-solve with students to help them overcome barriers that stand in the way of their goals. We offer free consultations to see if NeemaStudy could be a good option for students.