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Tips on College Students With ADHD

The transition to college life can be difficult, but that's especially true for students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). ADHD students may not adjust well to college living because assuming responsibility for lifestyle and academic choices that were once out of their hands can be difficult. College students with ADHD are at a higher risk of struggling academically than non-ADHD students. Keeping in mind some tips for the adjustment period may make the transition easier.

  1. Make a Schedule

    • College students with ADHD often have difficulty budgeting their time, especially when it comes to everyday tasks such as laundry and meal preparation, which might have been handled by parents until this point. Establishing a rigid schedule can help young students cope with their ADHD. "ADDitude," a magazine targeted at people with attention deficit disorder, recommends beginning this process while in high school, so that the transition to college life is less harsh. This includes scheduling sleep patterns, study time and television time, and adhering to the schedule.

    Exercise

    • Regular exercise is a good idea for anyone, but it may help alleviate the anxiety and stress that accompany ADHD. Exercise has been shown to reduce stress levels, so scheduling a regular workout time every day may help students cope. Scheduling exercise in the mornings---including on the weekend---is an effective motivator for waking up on time.

    Seek Scholarships

    • ADHD is considered a legitimate learning disability, and as such, people living with it qualify for certain scholarships and grants. Organizations such as the National Center for Learning Disabilities, Inc. and disABLEDperson, Inc. offer scholarships exclusively to people with disabilities, so students with ADHD are encouraged to apply.

    Find Support

    • Students may find support and learn new strategies for coping with ADHD by seeking out others with the same condition. Some college campuses offer support groups for students with ADHD, or can make special accommodations for such students in the classroom. Other students may wish to apply to a college that specializes in teaching students with learning disabilities---Florida's Beacon College, for example, offers BA and AA degrees for students with learning disabilities, including ADHD.

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