Matriculating at a college or university can be just as overwhelming as it is exciting for young adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Class schedules that may vary from day to day, the distractions and temptations that come with living in close contact with peers, the increase in coursework, and the lack of parental supervision present challenges for students who struggle with inattention, impulsivity, and time management resulting from their condition.
When choosing a college, parents or guardians may need to inquire about support services such as counseling or coaching, depending on the needs of the student. In any case, students with ADHD should consider the following survival tips.
Make Senior Year a Practice Run
Many students who have succeeded in gaining acceptance to the institution of their choice are probably already armed with several strategies to stay on top of their responsibilities. Having a parent or guardian around to keep students on track may have also played a role, so it is important for students to prepare for their absence.
Once those applications have been mailed out and wait begins, parents and guardians should gradually step back and have their kids take more responsibility in getting up, scheduling homework, doing laundry, and other tasks that they must complete independently once on campus, intervening only when problems arise. Any effort toward mimicking these tasks at home will help them adjust to the extra responsibility and lessen anxiety.
Schedule and Document Classes and Tasks
Students should use a date book, a computer program, or wall calendar to enter the times of classes, and get in the habit of looking it every time they get up from their desk or lecture seat. Using a different color of ink for each subject can make checking quicker. Sticking with a designated color for each course when buying notebooks, binders, and related supplies will make it easier for students to pack the appropriate materials before heading off to class each day. Also, students may need to schedule doses of their medications until a new routine is established.
A different, more demanding academic environment means that homework and projects will likely take longer to complete. If students document the amount of time it takes to complete a task for a particular course, they can project how many hours may be required for that subject in subsequent weeks, and they can set aside blocks of time, which, of course, they would enter in their planners. For some students, calendar software with alarms can alert them to scheduled items. These efforts toward better time management can prevent students from scrambling to complete work at the last minute and pulling all-nighters that deprive them of the sleep that students with ADHD need to stay focused during the day.
Study in a Distraction-Free Environment
Some students with ADHD may need to leave the dormitory to study on a quiet floor of a library, while others may find that playing music or turning on a fan or other source of white noise helps them focus. Working alone as much as possible can reduce the chances of peers interrupting the level of concentration that students often need to maintain while studying.
Use Strategies to Stay Engaged in Class
The doodling that once got children with ADHD into trouble can actually help a student stay focused during a lecture. Doing two things at once, particularly if the other activity is a physical one such as chewing gum or doodling, can reduce daydreaming in class. Students with ADHD may also have short-term memory issues, so notetaking during lectures as well as reading assignments can help them retain more of what they have studied.
It is important for parents, guardians, or friends to check in periodically to offer support and guidance. The unfortunate reality is that students with ADHD have to work harder at the skills many others take for granted. But that extra effort to establish effective routines can lead to a more successful college experience.
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