From the article: Exam Study Tips
ADHD can make studying for college classes quite a challenge. You may find that you are putting a lot of time and preparation into studying with little to show for all your effort. Finding individualized strategies that work for you is helpful. If you are currently in college or are an adult with ADHD who has already graduated, please share what particular strategies you found to be most helpful. What are some of the study tips you recommend?
Your ideas and suggestions may be a big help to current students trying to navigate the challenges of college life.
Share Your SuggestionsListen and Write
- I’m a woman from Sweden that just got my ADHD diagnosis and started my medication today!! When I was in my twenties I didn’t know that I had ADHD but I understood something was different. I had just begun my studies at the University of Stockholm and I wanted to get the best grade, of course, on my exams. I got that on my first three exams but realized that during the time I studied it took so much energy that it really wasn't worth it. I decided that I would settle for just passing the tests. What I did learn though was something I’m still using in my work life - that is, if I listen to someone teaching I have to write and draw pictures of the whole seminar/meeting. I can listen much better when I'm at the same time writing it down. Sometimes it is just pictures or words, but to me it’s important because it really helps me to focus and to remember it afterwards. I have talked to others with ADHD about this and it seems to be true for many.
- —AnnaEkstedt
Study in Your Car
- I get my best studying done when I study in my car. It is extremely difficult for me to study at home (even if I am the only person home). All it takes is for me to look at the clock and associate a TV show to go with the time, or do a load of laundry, check e-mail, or some little home chore. When I am in my car, there is nothing for me to do but study. I am a college instructor now and I even suggest this to my students when I am told of study problems. The home is so distracting for someone with ADHD.
- —Guest Patty
Aim to be Proactive and Aim for Balance
- Use a reading program like Kurzweil to scan your book and read to you. Not doing your reading is about the worst habit a college student can have. Find a study buddy to get through the courses you hate, and make friends with the professors straightaway. You can get academic accommodations if you have documentation so be sure to use them. Ear plugs, and being very communicative with your family is also important so they don't expect you to do everything and be a successful student. If you are alone, spend one day a week planning meals and clothes ahead to avoid being late during the week. Daily exercise and sleep are also essential to performing at your best.
- —Guest Leslie
Study Tips
- I would always copy important things from the book or notes by writing them down with pen and paper. This allowed for a tangible interaction with the information and for my brain to repeat and store the information. I did not have to look at the notes again, just the act of writing itself was useful.
- —Guest sarahcatrina
Big, Bold, and Bright!
- I find that note cards, highlighters, post-it notes, and anything else that I can get my hands on (quite literally) greatly helps me focus as well as getting me better involved in my work. A lot of the improvement in studying is about persistence and repeating these habits. I personally need absolute silence when I study because even that distracts me, but I know some who can study better with it and say it makes studying more fun and run more smoothly. Though, I can't be sure that this would be recommended because they probably don't have ADD/ADHD.
- —Silesian
Group Study and Previous Exams
- When I was in college I used to study with my friend, she supported me and vice versa. I think finding a friend to study with is a very helpful method to overcome problems associated with ADHD students. Also, studying the previous exams helped me to overcome the sense of overwhelm by the materials I had to cover. It made me concentrate on the most important points.
- —Guest oscar_83
ADD Helpful Hints
- I was diagnosed as a college student with ADD. Some of the things that I have found to be most helpful for me have been to be structured and organized. I make lists for everything and I often make more than one. I write one for what needs to be done that day and then things that come up during the day that I need to remember. I then combine them later on to make a continuous list so the next day things that came up can go on my to do list for that day and then I repeat. It helps knowing what is coming up and when I will have free time. Also, breaking up what I need to do into 45 minute intervals helps. I know I only need to spend so long then I can have a break. Going somewhere such as the library where others are working also helps, sitting at home at your computer often leads to spending hours on facebook not homework so priorities get mixed up. Good luck!!!!
- —Guest Tktor
What Works for Me
- I found that "white noise" was helpful in blocking out distractions in a dorm room. I used a small electric fan and turned it toward the wall so it wouldn't blow on me, but would create a "white noise" that blocked out conversations, loud music, etc.
- —Guest Nancy
Music?
- I find that even with my ADD medicine that I prefer music just to drown out my thoughts because often they betray me and become distracting. SO when I have the music high enough I can drown my thoughts out and simply concentrate better on what I am doing with my studies. I make compilations of my favorite songs which after a while become routine and I don't end up thinking about the words or other such things that could add to the distractions, it gives my head a focus.
- —Guest Danielle
Study Time
- Taking in less simple carbohydrates helps me to focus better and reading/studying in sunlight is a huge help. Fluorescent lights seem to trigger my episodes of confusion and the feeling of being in a thick fog; if outdoor weather is too hot/cold, I sit as close to a window as I can. I am super sensitive to loud noise also, so I try to find a quiet place. Same at work - I can really focus and work at a fast clip after hours when most everyone is gone.
- —Guest Guest
Study tips for adults with ADHD
- One of the main aides that I use is a voice recorder. I use it for class lecture and then read into it when I read chapters in my books. I have also found that even though there are distractions, I have always liked water fronts. Sitting at the water front while listening to my recordings seems to help me relax and retain. Gotta find a trick for the winter though...lol.
- —Guest Reggie
Study tips
- If you were prescribed medicine for your ADHD, take it. I do take it before I study then it makes me study more. Study in the morning. I am a college student and I leave my dorm to study and head to the library, this way, there is no distraction.
- —Guest undergrad
ADHD
- I was diagnosed 4 months ago. I DO however take Adderall, which helps a TON. I’ve never done well in school, always almost failing, didn’t know how to succeed. I just started back in school last week. The meds makes a huge difference. I’m learning to take very thorough notes in class, I find my notes are much more lengthy than anyone else’s. But this works for me. I also know I need to do my homework ASAP, and won’t allow myself to put it off. I go to the library to study, that way I won’t find excuses to distract myself. This is all very new to me, and I am learning as I go. But the Adderall helps me to be able to focus on my instructors and actually retain what is being talked about.
- —Guest Collegebound
ADHD help
- I setup an app called break reminder designed as an aid for carpel tunnel. It can be set to countdown x minutes then provides y minutes for a break. Another advantage to keeping my brain fresh, during breaks the pc is disabled.
- —Guest Polandaje
Music, but quiet
- I was diagnosed with ADD in high school, and I find that absolute quiet is nearly as distracting to me as really loud music. So here's my tip: use your favorite CD or a playlist of favorite songs, something you have listened to over and over and over and you know every word & note. Put it on very softly, just loud enough to hear, as background music, but not loud enough to distract. If you can use headphones that will block out other sounds, even better, but keep the volume LOW! The music will give the "distract-able" part of your brain something to engage in that is harmless and you will be able to study (or work) much more effectively.
- —Guest Carolyn
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