Studying with ADHD

If you’re the type of person who can’t remember anything they read, the following tips will help you feel more confident and empowered whenever you need to study.
 

1. Set up as many visual cues as you can think of, such as sticky notes, your calendar, a whiteboard you can use to write your assignments on, etc. Make a detailed study plan in your agenda.
2. If you already know that even the slightest noise will distract you, use earplugs when you study. Find a quiet, uncluttered place to work.
3. People living with ADHD generally need to engage in active learning. For example, write summaries of your course material in a notebook, use colour codes to categorize concepts, and create flashcards to help you memorize these concepts. You can also try studying out loud while gesticulating actively!
4. Instead of working for extended periods of time, study in short bursts (around 30 minutes each). During your breaks, go for a run, play the drums, sing, dance—whatever you need to do to get all that wonderful energy out. You’re sure to find it easier to concentrate afterwards.
5. As you study, highlight the concepts you find harder to remember. Add an asterisk (*) next to the exercises you don’t understand and ask your teacher to explain them later.
6. Start studying several days in advance when preparing for a major exam (or an assessment that will cover everything you learned throughout the year).
7. You need motivation to study. Before you begin an assignment or study session, give yourself a goal. For example, whenever you finish 10 grammar exercises, 30 minutes of studying for your science test, or a big math assignment, do an activity you love!
8. During class, practise active listening. Take notes, highlight information, and ask questions. These habits will help keep your mind from wandering.
9. Finally, eating well and getting plenty of rest will ensure your brain is always ready to take on any challenge.

To ensure you never miss a deadline, it’s essential to keep a schedule of upcoming activities, assignments, and any studying you need to do. Here are our best tips:

1. Prioritize your schoolwork and studying (even if you want to do something else, such as hanging out with your friends). Don’t worry, you’ll still have plenty of time to do these things after you finish your homework.
2. Every Monday, make a short list of urgent and important things to do and leave it somewhere you’re sure to see it.
3. Keep a detailed weekly schedule and make adjustments as you go along. As soon as you hear about an upcoming exam or major assignment, make sure to add it to your calendar. Your agenda is your trusty sidekick!

They may seem like thankless, boring tasks, but tidying up, putting things away, and identifying and organizing your class materials will help you see more clearly and reduce your stress levels. Here are a few examples:

1. Label your binders and sort them by colour (use one colour per subject if you can).
2. Organize your class notes as you go along so you don’t lose them. As a bonus, when it’s time to study for an exam, they’ll already be organized!
3. Start packing your school bag during lunchtime. You’ll be less likely to forget any homework you were assigned that morning.
4. Sort through your locker and declutter it at least once every two weeks. Put loose sheets of paper in their respective binders and take home what you no longer need.
5. Before you leave school at the end of the day, take a moment to check your agenda and make sure to bring home everything you need to do your homework, finish your projects, and study.
6. Pack your bag and lunch the night before. Last-minute pressure and ADHD don’t go together very well. Getting ready in advance will give you more time in the morning to make sure you don’t forget anything.