Kyla Boice, MA, LAC
Does ADHD Impact You?
Have you ever thought that your ADHD may impact your success in college? If this thought has ever crossed your mind, you are not alone! According to ADDitude, roughly 16 percent of college students worldwide have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Coping with ADHD can be difficult, especially while studying for your future career and feeling pressured to perform well. Below are 10 tips to help improve your studying habits.
10 Tips to Improve Study Habits
Tip 1 – Use tutors when necessary. Don’t be afraid to ask for help! Everyone needs extra support at times.
Tip 2 – Develop a regular routine. Use a laptop to take notes in class, and remember technology is your friend! Technology helps you stay organized in your note taking process.
Tip 3 – Find the environment that works best for you! Do you work better in silence or with noise? Either environment is okay, everyone is different!
Tip 4 – Figure out if you study better alone or with your peers. Studying alone may assist in limiting distractions, but studying with your peers may make studying more interesting and help you stay on track. Find what works best for you!
Try highlighting or color coding important information. Highlighting and color coding your notes or textbook readings will make the important information stand out more.
Tip 5 – Write your notes. Repetition is key to retaining essential information.
Tip 6 – Practice active reading techniques
- Read each heading before reading the chapter.
- Skim the chapter beforehand to get an idea of the material.
- Take notes while reading.
- Review major points within the chapter.
Tip 7 – Exercise
- Exercise is important for improving focus and executive functioning skills in individuals with ADHD.
- Engage in 35 minutes of aerobic exercise four to five times a week.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physical activity can improve your cognitive health by helping you think, learn, problem-solve, and enjoy an emotional balance. It can also improve memory and reduce anxiety or depression. - According to Harvard Health, exercise boosts your memory and thinking skills. Many studies have suggested that the parts of the brain that control thinking and memory are larger in volume in people who exercise than people who do not engage in exercise. Exercise can also boost memory and thinking indirectly by improving mood and sleep, and by reducing stress and anxiety, problems that frequently contribute to cognitive impairment.
Tip 8 – Spread out studying
- Cramming exam material the night before is not as helpful in retaining the information as reviewing ahead of time. Instead of cramming, study in shorter sessions. Take about 45 minutes each day over four days to review the exam material. This will help you get a deeper familiarity and understanding!
Tip 9 – Review your notes right after class
- Reviewing your notes at the end of class will allow you to fill in any gaps and retain the information discussed.
Tip 10 – Use movement to stay alert while studying
- Highlighting, writing in the margins, underlining, and reciting the information out loud to yourself.
There is support!
Being a college student with ADHD can be difficult. I hope you find these tips helpful in preparing for your future career as I did! You can seek extra help through your institution by utilizing tutors, study groups, mental health services, and disability services.
