By Lori Melnitsky, SLP and ADHD Coach
As every college session begins, students try to prepare themselves to navigate a life of challenges and freedom that come with living on their own. It may sound exciting but as the clock ticks closer to the actual date of joining students start experiencing anxiety. This is especially daunting for students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) who might not have the same support or the same routine that they’ve grown comfortable with.
College starts becoming liable for more responsibilities with less structured timelines. It also means more distractions, new people and a lot of social interaction.
This article discusses some of the strategies you can use to succeed academically and socially if you have ADHD.
-Tips for College When You Have ADHD
There are several strategies that you can use to stay on track with a new college life.
1. Start the Day Early Than Usual:
The way you start your day and when you start your day have quite an impact on your outlook. To start the day off on the right track, you need to start your day early. Make sure to not be late or you’ll fall into the cycle of sleeping late, waking up late, getting to classes late and might up with poor academic performance.
If you can’t wake up, set alarms on more than one device and put them further away so you’ll have to get up to turn them off eventually.
If getting distracted is the problem, prioritize tasks for the day. If you feel disorganized, make a weekly calendar for the list of errands and their priorities.
2. Don’t Ignore How You Feel
There will be days when you feel like everything is overwhelming, and that’s normal. The key is not to ignore how you feel. When anxiety or depression hits, it can have a significant impact on your ability to focus and perform tasks. Acknowledge the feeling, take some deep breaths and if necessary, talk to a mental health therapist. A coach can help you learn skills and provide support.
There are a lot of things to consider when you’re trying to succeed in college, and it can be overwhelming. But if you take it one day at a time and remember to prioritize your mental health, you’ll be on the right track. These tips will help set you up for success both academically and socially.
3. Study Smarter, Not Harder
One of the most important things you can do is to study smarter, not harder. This means finding a way to study that works for you and sticking to it. Some people prefer to study in short bursts, others like to study for longer periods of time. Find what works for you and stick with it.
In addition, try to create an organized study schedule and stick to it as much as possible. This will help you stay on track and make sure that you’re getting all of your work done.
4. Get Plenty of Sleep
Sleep is essential for everyone, but it’s especially important for people with ADHD. Make sure that you’re getting enough sleep each night so that you can be alert and focused during the day.
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5. Make Connections
One of the best things you can do in college is to make connections with your professors, classmates and friends. Surround yourself with support from your social circle.
If you find that you are struggling than reach out to friends and family.
In addition, try to get involved in extracurricular activities and organizations. This will help you meet people with similar interests and give you a chance to relax and have some fun. Also exercise helps relieve stress and helps you think clearer. It also has been to decrease anxiety.
6. Manage Your Time
Time management is essential for everyone, but it’s especially important for people with ADHD. There are a lot of things vying for your attention in college, and it’s important to be able to prioritize your time.
One way to do this is to create a daily schedule and stick to it as much as possible. This will help you stay on track and make sure that you’re getting all of your work done.
7. Take frequent Breaks
It’s important to take breaks when you’re feeling overwhelmed. This will help you clear your head and come back to your work refreshed.
In addition, try to schedule some fun activities into your week so that you have something to look forward to. This will help you stay motivated and avoid burnout.
These are just some of the ways that you can set yourself up for success in college. If you have ADHD, it’s important to remember that you can still achieve your goals. Just make sure to take things one day at a time and to seek out help when you need it. With some planning and effort, you can succeed in college and reach your goals.
For adhd or life coaching packages please email Lori@allislandspeech.com
www.allislanndspeech.com