Students with ADHD often face academic challenges that many neurotypical students don’t have. These students struggle to pay attention to the lessons that teachers teach, and it’s especially hard if it’s a subject that doesn’t interest them. Other struggles include time management, organization, initiating tasks, and a low tolerance for frustration. On the other hand, students with ADHD can thrive academically with the right accommodations and study strategies. Here is how to study with ADHD.
Focus on Active Studying
Students with ADHD often do well with active studying techniques rather than passive ones. One idea is to use flashcards to help you remember important vocabulary words or math concepts. You can buy colored index cards and write simpler meanings of difficult vocabulary words that are similar to the original meanings from your textbooks. Buy math flashcards and review them with your parents or a friend a few times a week.
Leave Distractions Out of Study Area
Another thing you should do is make your study area free of distractions. Put your phone and tablet in a different room and leave it there until your study session ends. By doing this, you won’t have the temptation to slack off and not do the important things. Wear noise-canceling headphones to block out the noises of others in your home while you study.
Watch Videos on The Topic
Many students with ADHD are visual learners so you can watch videos on the topics you find boring or difficult to understand. If you struggle to understand the reasons for the Revolutionary War and the textbook is dry, search for videos about the causes and effects of the Revolutionary War. During the videos, take notes of key events and characters from this period in history. These can become your study notes for the next test.
Record The Teacher’s Lessons
If you tend to forget easily, ask your teacher if you can record her lectures during the week. Then while you’re walking outside or at home, you can listen to them a few more times as you read the textbooks. This helps you understand what you read and it can prepare you for upcoming exams without all the stress.
Read Assignment Directions Carefully
Before you complete classwork or homework assignments, read the directions carefully. This is important because it keeps you from making careless mistakes. If you’re unsure about assignment directions, email your teacher or call classmates to get more clarity.
Review The Material Multiple Times
Students with ADHD often struggle to retain information for long periods, so this means you’ll need lots of repetition to remember what you learned. Go over the material multiple days out of the week to help you remember it better. If you have spelling words, write them a few times each with markers on a whiteboard to make the lesson less boring. Read your science definitions aloud a few times each week.
Request Accommodations
If necessary, ask your teachers for reasonable accommodations to make your time in school more effective. These include:
- Extended time on tests and classroom assignments
- Front-row seating to minimize distractions
- Taking short breaks in class
- Use of videos and other visual aids and graphic organizers
- Modified homework assignments
Create Colorful PowerPoint Slides
Have fun with your studies and create a few colorful PowerPoint slides on everything you’re studying for the week. With PowerPoint slides, you can see the lessons in chunks and this makes it easier for you to understand. If you’re studying animal reproduction and the life cycles of certain animals, you can create slides on these topics using images and bold-colored fonts.
Set Timers While Studying
It also helps to set timers when you’re studying to keep track of how much time you’re spending on your assignments. If regular timers bore you, YouTube has several music timers in every genre that you can use to stay on task.
Explain The Concepts to Others
Teaching the lessons to others can help you remember what you learned. Have your parent or friend ask you questions about the lessons and then you would explain the concepts in a way that they’ll understand. This is also a less tedious way to study.
Study With a Responsible Classmate
When figuring out how to study with ADHD, you can ask a responsible classmate to assist you while studying. Choose a classmate who understands the material well and who is good at breaking down complex subjects in a way you’ll understand. The two of you can study together after school, on the weekends, or during school breaks such as Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Organize Your Study Area
Being organized does wonders for improving your study skills. Get rid of the unnecessary clutter and only put essential study supplies on your desk. Get some storage bins for storing your folders, notebooks, laptop charger, pens and pencils, workbooks, and papers from your teacher. Label the bins with markers so you’ll know where everything goes.
Buy a Whiteboard Calendar
Another idea is to buy a whiteboard calendar and place it on the wall above your desk. Write down all important deadlines for the month such as special projects, football practice dates, exams, and school events you plan to attend. Make room for last-minute activities on your calendar as they arise.
Get a Tutor
Tutors can offer the right assistance you need with difficult subjects. Pick a tutor who is familiar with the challenges of ADHD and who knows how to help students with these challenges. Apply any tricks that the tutor shows you and don’t be afraid to ask questions if you need more clarity.
ADHD doesn’t have to hinder you from succeeding in school. When you learn how to study with ADHD using these techniques, you can thrive academically and build your confidence throughout the school year.
