Students who have ADHD tend to struggle with school. But that doesn’t mean that they’re doomed to academic challenges. Parents of high school students and even university-level students can follow certain steps to improve their study habits, and consequently, their GPA. In honor of ADHD Awareness Month, we have prepared our ultimate list of some of the best online learning and productivity hacks.
The reality is that schools often fail to equip ADHD students with relevant learning resources. Not that there’s anyone to blame. Limited resources, tight schedules, and hundreds of students (or more) to cater to make it challenging to address everyone’s needs.
Keep in mind that as a tutor/learning coach, I can’t give medical advice. This article is intended for informational purposes only. If you or someone you know is struggling with ADD/ADHD or any medical conditions, consult your doctor or medical/mental health specialist.*
What is ADHD and What Are the Symptoms?
ADHD stands for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. It is a behavioral disorder that is normally diagnosed during childhood. It is characterized by impulsivity, inattention, and hyperactivity. It is common for these characteristics to occur together. However, it is also possible for one to occur with the other. By the age of 7, parents may notice hyperactivity in their children. It may even be present in preschoolers. Only when a child goes to elementary school will attention deficit or inattention come to light.
Types of ADHD
There are three major types of ADHD:
- Inattentive and Distractible ADHD: This type is characterized by inattentiveness and distractibility without any hyperactivity.
- Impulsive/Hyperactive ADHD: Another type is impulsive and hyperactive where distractibility and inattention are not observed.
- Combined ADHD: This is the most common type of ADHD. It is characterized by both hyperactive and inattentive behaviors.
Symptoms of ADHD
ADHD symptoms may resemble other medical conditions. This is why it is important that you seek the assistance of an expert to perform the diagnosis. However, the following symptoms are common among ADHD:
1. Inattention
- Poor study skills
- Poor organizational skills
- Forgetfulness
- Easily distracted
- Difficulty listening to others and remembering details
- A short attention span
2. Impulsivity
- Frequently takes risks without thinking about the repercussions
- Tends to blurt out responses
- Struggles with waiting for their turn in social situations and at school
- Often interrupts others
3. Hyperactivity
- Often forgets things repeatedly or loses them
- Inability to perform a task and tends to shift from one task to the next without completion
- Difficulty engaging in quiet activities
- Talks excessively
- Fidgets hands when seated or fidgets excessively
- Cannot remain seated
- Busy in constant motion without any apparent goal
Critical Organizational Skills for ADHD Students
Students that possess strong organizational skills are able to create and maintain systems for keeping track of materials or information. A typical adolescent can easily locate and organize sports equipment or school supplies. However, those who have ADHD have trouble performing these tasks. Increased time, effort, and continuous attention are necessary for staying organized. This can be an overwhelming obstacle for students with ADHD, especially if they don’t have the tools or mindsets to overcome such challenges.
Tips for ADHD Students to Learn Organization Skills
1. Talk about It
To learn organization skills at school, talk about it! Have a discussion about staying organized, why it’s important, how it helps, and how to do it. Parents can suggest a system to clean up their teen’s room and tidy up their school materials. One should also talk about how to organize a daily routine to make sure school and extracurricular activities stay on track.
2. Assign Desk-Cleaning as Part of the Daily Routine
Next, consider making desk-cleaning a part of the daily routine. Teachers or parents can ask students to perform speed cleaning half an hour before dismissal or bedtime. Similarly, parents can ask their teen to clean up their study table at home after they arrive from school or once they are done studying.
3. Use Brightly Colored Paper and Supplies
When it comes to project assignments or homework, brightly colored paper, pens, and highlighters can come in handy. Use these to outline details and due dates. While highlighting and underlining aren’t necessarily the most effective ways to retain information, colour-coding is a dynamic and eye-catching way to organize what you learn.
4. Set Up and Organize a Notebook and Binder
Get your teen into the habit of putting their notes and handouts in a binder or notebook. A digital folder works just as well for online materials. If you are a university student struggling with ADHD, you will need to make sure that you organize your notebooks and binders regularly. You can work with a friend to follow the plan.
5. Keep an Agenda
ADHD students benefit from having a system in place that covers their daily routine. This can help ensure that they turn in assignments on time and manage their homework. Keep it simple and easily accessible. A simple calendar app can do wonders!
6. Make it a Team Effort
To keep your teen on track, make it a family affair. Sometimes, entire families need to make organization and time management a priority to ensure that teens are able to tackle problems with confidence. Each family member can play a role in keeping things in order.
7. Keep it Simple
Emotional dysregulation is a major ADHD symptom. This means small setbacks and challenges may cause exaggerated reactions. For instance, one moment, your teen is unable to pick a book for his/her essay, the next moment, they get into a screaming match with you for what seems like no reason.
To ensure that your child remains focused, it’s best not to overwhelm them. One way to do this is to keep things simple. For instance, instead of creating a complex study and learning system right from the beginning, start by picking one subject and marking down a few dedicated study periods during the week. Keep track of the progress to see what’s working and what isn’t.
8. Offer Rewards for Improvements
In addition to the above, you can consider giving rewards to your teen for improved habits. This can motivate your teen to stay on track and focus on developing additional skills to succeed at school.
It’s important to be careful with extrinsic rewards, however. We want to emphasize enjoying the process of self-development itself, rather than completing tasks in exchange for ice cream.
Conclusion
There is no denying that online learning can be tough. It can be even more difficult for ADHD students to stay focused when they study online. Knowing the best ADHD productivity hacks is crucial for overcoming challenges that come along the way.