Help unlock your focus: How to study with ADHD

Studying is tough for anyone. It’s hard to plan, motivate yourself, and carve out the time to get that headspace right. It is even harder if you have ADHD, and something inside your head is determine to distract you from the revision you know you ought and even want to be doing. Here are some tips on how to study with ADHD that we found useful in the run up to, and during, exams. Regardless if you have had an adult or children’s ADHD assessment, these are great study tips anyway.

Let’s dive into how study tips for ADHD, but beforehand, do check out the other ADHD resources for parents and teachers we have on the site.

How can ADHD affect studying and revision?

Studying and revision are key parts on the road to success in school. Studying allows students to review the material they have learned and helps them to prepare for exams. We have found that studying and revision can be rather difficult for kids, and even adults with ADHD. Switching the ADHD brain from one task to another, particularly when that task requires a lot of brain power is tough. In addition, it can be hard to focus, stay organised, and remember information.

How to study with ADHD: Tips for teens and adults

There are a number of things teenagers, and adults with ADHD, or even those waiting for a diagnosis, can do to cope with studying and revision. These include:

• Setting realistic goals. It is important to set realistic goals for studying and revision. Trying to study too much material in too short a time will only lead to frustration. Break down studying and revision into smaller tasks and set realistic deadlines for each task.
• Creating a study schedule. A study schedule will help you to stay on track and make sure you are studying all of the material you need to cover. Break down your studying into smaller tasks and schedule time for each task.
• Finding a quiet place to study. A quiet place will help you to focus and avoid distractions. Find a place where you will not be interrupted and where you can concentrate on your work.
• Taking breaks. It is important to take breaks when you are studying. Get up and move around every 20-30 minutes. This will help you to stay focused and avoid getting bored.
• Use a variety of study methods. Some people learn best by reading, while others learn best by listening or by doing. Experiment with different study methods to find out what works best for you
• Reward yourself for your efforts. When you complete a study task, give yourself a small reward. This will help you to stay motivated and make studying more enjoyable.
• Get some fresh air and exercise. Going outside and getting that blood flow has a proven effect on concentration, and can lift your level for an hour at least afterwards.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. If you’re struggling with studying, don’t be afraid to ask for help from your parents, teachers, or friends. There are also many resources available online and in your community that can help you with studying and revision.

How can parents help their teens with ADHD cope with studying and revision?

Parents can help their teenagers with ADHD cope with studying and revision by:

• Creating a supportive environment. Make sure your teenager knows that you are there to support them and help them with their studying. Let them know that you believe in them and that you know they can succeed.
• Providing resources. Make sure your teenager has the resources they need to study effectively. This includes providing them with a quiet place to study, providing them with study materials, and helping them to create a study schedule.
• Monitoring progress. Check in with your teenager regularly to see how they are doing with their studying. Offer encouragement and support, and provide help and guidance as needed.
• Seek professional help. If your teenager is struggling with studying, it may be helpful to seek professional help. A therapist, coach, or counsellor can provide your teen with additional support and guidance.

ADHD can make studying and revision difficult, but it is not impossible. With the right support, your teen can do it!

Remember that exams aren’t everything too

Remember, you are not alone. it isn’t the end of the world if you don’t get what you were expecting in those exams either.

There are so many paths to success in life, and exams aren’t everything.

Our society can sometimes feel so geared towards success at school and exams that those that aren’t switched on like this feel a failure.

There are many successful people that dropped out of school, and our family won’t love us any less if we didn’t get an “A”. It is often worth reminding any child, but particularly those with ADHD, that exam success doesn’t define them. As parents, and carer’s, we are there to help our children reach their potential, whatever and wherever that may lie.

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Take care,

Helen

This is a collaborative post.

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