It’s no secret that students with ADHD can find the process of studying to be challenging. In fact, the symptoms of ADHD can present as direct obstacles to successful study sessions, which, in turn, can affect academic performance and self confidence.
It’s important to remember that ADHD does not correlate with lower intelligence, as people of all cognitive abilities may have ADHD. In fact, some students with ADHD are very bright and fall into a category called 2E or twice exceptional. Students with ADHD do not necessarily need to spend any more time studying than their peers. With the right support, though, students with ADHD can develop strategies and study activities that help them find how they can study efficiently.
In this article, we’ll break down the best study tips for students with ADHD, including easy-to-implement techniques and strategies that any student can employ.
ADHD in Children and Students
According to CHADD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a chronic neurodevelopmental disorder “characterized by developmentally inappropriate levels of inattention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity,” prevalent in 11% of children.
ADHD presents itself in three ways in students, as described by the CDC:
- Predominantly Inattentive Presentation: The student struggles to stay on task, plan ahead, and stay organized. The student is forgetful and fails to follow directions.
- Predominantly Hyperactive-Impulsive Presentation: The student is restless and impulsive, often interrupting others and acting out physically at inappropriate times.
- Combined Presentation: The student has both hyperactive-Impulsive and inattentive ADHD symptoms.
No matter their ADHD presentation, students with ADHD can face academic and behavioral challenges. These challenges can lead to a lack of confidence, anxiety, and frustration with educational expectations.
10 Study Tips for Students with ADHD
Every student is different, so it may take some time to find the right study techniques for their needs. To get started, we’ve outlined our top ten study tips for students with ADHD below.
1. Plan ahead.
Consider planning as a separate task that needs to be done first. For students with ADHD, planning, along with prioritization and time management, can be difficult executive function skills to develop. This can lead to procrastination and cramming.
As soon as you know you have a test, creating a study plan that features dedicated study time and activities well in advance of the test helps to break steps into manageable parts. This study plan should include realistic goals that can serve as checkpoints along the way. You may benefit from using a dedicated execution function planner, like the planner from Effective Students, which includes study tips by class type and specific instructions about how to plan ahead.
2. Eliminate distractions.
With how connected we are to our phones and other media, it can be hard to commit to a distraction-free environment—but this is essential for better studying habits. When possible, remove all the distractions from your area while you study, including phones, televisions, family members, and pets.
This ADHD study tip may seem obvious, but it can often be the most overlooked. It’s easy for little distractions to slip into your study space. Once they’re present, you’re more likely to seek out those distractions and avoid studying. Specifically, students can put their phone or computer on “do not disturb” mode. They can also study with headphones to silence auditory distractions and utilize music that helps them keep up their pace.
3. Add sensory support.
It may seem counterintuitive to add factors to your study environment, but certain tools can help! Fidget toys can provide purposeful distraction, allowing you to enhance your focus on your primary task. The fidgeting takes the place of other distractions or wandering thoughts.
Similarly, listening to white noise has been shown to improve working memory in children. Other students may prefer a set soundtrack of music or even a metronome. You can also add food or drink to their study space to give you something to snack on.
4. Build a routine.
Many students with ADHD suffer from ADHD paralysis, which is the feeling of being overwhelmed by a task or the environment, leading to inaction. You can work to overcome ADHD paralysis by starting with an easy step first which builds behavioral momentum.
This study routine provides structure and comfort, particularly when paired with other study techniques, negating the paralysis. A study routine should always have a list, so you can check things off as they are completed, delivering an extra hit of dopamine and helping the student to continue.
A strong study routine will look different for each student who has ADHD, but it might involve studying and completing homework at the same time and in the same place every day or pairing homework time with a preferred snack. It’s also important to understand that you may not always be able to stick to your routine and plan, and that’s okay! Routines are especially helpful for implementing other ADHD study techniques and building strong executive function skills.
5. Use multiple study methods.
For students with ADHD, traditional study techniques like rereading notes may not feel effective and can lead to frustration. Seek out active study techniques that require engaging learning, allowing you to delve into concepts fully and engage with what you’re studying.
Study methods for students with ADHD can include:
- Concept mapping
- Spaced repetition
- Flash cards
- Explaining concepts outloud
- Retrieval practice coupled with self correction
- Note taking in outline format
- Summarizing paragraphs in single sentences from text
6. Take breaks.
Some students with ADHD think they need to power through and study nonstop in order to study effectively, but incorporating breaks into your study session can actually be a great study technique. Set a timer or use the Pomodoro method to intersperse your studies with breaks and switch between assignments.
Consider incorporating a walk or other type of exercise into those breaks. Physical activity has been shown to be an effective boost for brain function and cognitive activity, with particular benefits when it comes to working memory. Choose an activity you like to do, like going for a quick bike ride or shooting some hoops, and you’ll also find yourself more relaxed when you return to studying.
7. Manage your healthcare.
It’s important to remember that ADHD is a medical condition, but it is not something you have to face alone. Check in with your support system, including family members, teachers, and guidance counselors, letting them know how your ADHD affects your studying and what study techniques you’ve employed to address them.
If you take medication for your ADHD, be sure to take it as prescribed and to closely follow any instructions from medical providers. Discuss any changes in your symptoms and lifestyle with your medical provider to ensure you have a successful management plan.
8. Use an organization system.
For students with ADHD, organization can be a daunting concept. The executive dysfunction that affects many people with ADHD makes staying organized extremely challenging, which can compound for students as they begin to forget about due dates or lose assignments.
By putting an organization system in place, you can get ahead of your tasks and studying, alleviating stress and leading to better academic performance. Effective organization systems are simple and repeatable, meeting students with ADHD where they are. This could be as simple as using a colored folder system and taking ten minutes at the beginning and ending of each day to physically organize schoolwork.
9. Practice self-care.
Did you know self-care can be a study technique? By practicing self-care and exercising mindfulness, you can become less judgmental toward yourself and become more relaxed when it comes to studying. Self-care for students can come in many forms, including journaling, meditating, and deep breathing practices.
Additionally, make sure you’re getting enough sleep and eating well. It can be tempting to stay up all night studying before a big test, but make sure you are balancing your overall well-being, too.
10. Embrace creativity.
Studying doesn’t always have to be strict! Lean into your creativity, and step outside of traditional study techniques. For example, if you enjoy art, consider making an illustrated mind map as part of your study.
Even if you don’t consider yourself a creative person, you can bring in creativity to your study methods through color coding your notes. Visual representations like color coding and charts can be extremely beneficial to your study practices. By finding more creative ways to study, you can also become more engaged with the material and become less likely to get distracted.
Develop ADHD Study Techniques with an Academic Coach
Students with ADHD benefit greatly from employing the old adage, “work smarter, not harder”—or, in this case, “study smarter, not harder.” Academic coaches can help students with ADHD learn to do just that.
Academic coaching teaches students how to approach and manage academic demands, helping them develop and practice a process that is effective and repeatable. Academic coaches work alongside students, rather than work for the students, leading to the development of academic independence.
Academic coaches can help students with ADHD in a myriad of ways, including:
- Building academic management skills
- Applying what they’ve learned
- Fostering social and emotional skills
- Expanding ability to focus
- Transitioning successfully to new environments
With an ADHD academic coach, students learn more than practical study skills, as they have the opportunity to foster those habits and find real success.
Work with an ADHD Academic Coach at Effective Students
At Effective Students, we work with many students with ADHD. We’ve seen countless students overcome obstacles and achieve academic success that they never thought possible.
Need Help Now? Try a Virtual Coaching Session Here
Our ADHD academic coaching sessions tackle the core challenges students with ADHD face and deliver effective solutions. We also offer the Effective Student™ course, which teaches some of the essential study skills our coaches teach in an accessible format.
Contact us to learn more about ADHD academic coaching.
