Attending College with ADHD
Individuals with depression have a rate of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) diagnosis between 30 and 40 percent. ADHD is associated with poor executive functioning, which often results in disorganization; difficulties prioritizing, starting and completing tasks; challenges with memorizing facts, solving complex math problems and writing papers; and struggles with regulating emotions. For college Freshmen with ADHD, managing classes and extracurricular/social activities without day-to-day parental support or a structured school schedule can be daunting. A number of basic strategies can help improve their odds of being successful in higher education, however.
Most universities have Student Success Centers that provide tutoring and other assistance along with Disability Support Services Offices, which grant accommodations to individuals with ADHD who have had a recent comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation conducted by a qualified diagnostician. (While college students with ADHD qualify for academic accommodations under Federal laws, including the Americans with Disabilities Act and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, they are not granted automatically; and 504 Plans or Individualized Education Programs are not considered sufficient documentation for higher education.) Common ADHD-related accommodations at universities include being given extra time on exams, taking tests in a reduced distraction environment and having permission to audio record classes to assist with note-taking. As soon as you have submitted your deposit is the perfect time to begin working with your institution’s Disability Support Services so any accommodations will be in place before classes begin.
While you are still at home, create a list of college life responsibilities with categories like medication (prescription renewals and usage, etc.), academics (including informing professors about your accommodations each semester) and self-care (such as eating, exercise and laundry) to better plan strategies for each. For example, many teens who take ADHD medication are not hungry until 8:00 p.m. or later when dining halls may be closed for the day. It will be important to plan ways to have healthy food, including fruits and vegetables and items that include protein and fiber, and not just carbohydrate or sugar laden snacks to eat at night. Students and parents should make an agreement about how and when they will be in contact with one another. Weekly FaceTimes are a good way for everyone to see how things are really going. (Texts do not provide as much information as real-time images and words do.) It also is a good idea for teenagers over 18 years old to complete a Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act consent form for releasing educational records and a Health Care Proxy so their parents can help in an emergency.
Continue to take your ADHD medication as prescribed. Do not skip doses or misuse it before a test in order to stay up all night studying, which not only is unsafe, but also will disrupt your sleep schedule and make it harder to concentrate in the long run. If you find that you need changes to your medication, such as a stronger dosage or a “booster dose” for evening classes, labs or exams, talk to your doctor. Because ADHD medications can be abused by peers and are in high demand on college campuses, consider storing yours in a locked storage box in your desk or a dresser drawer and do not tell friends or acquaintances that you take it. It is vital to have a strategy for refilling your prescription (i.e., continuing to use your home prescriber or switching to the Student Health center) as nearly 50 percent of college students stop taking their ADHD medicine. For most individuals with ADHD, their regular doses are needed not only to study, but also to manage day-to-day life.
Be realistic and recognize your strengths and limitations. Do not register for an 8:00 a.m. class if you are not a morning person. If possible, select courses at times of the day when you will be able to arrive on time and during which you find it easiest to pay attention. Use Ratemyprofessors.com to determine what potential instructors may be like if you have a choice between sections or subjects.
Going to classes is essential, even if you believe they are boring or too easy, and is correlated with higher grades. Arrive five minutes early, sit in the front of the classroom and pay attention. Professors are more likely to assist you when needed if you attend their courses regularly.
Work first and relax later. Schedule regular study sessions in a quiet location where you do not know anyone. Consider using headphones for white noise, which will help focus your brain while studying. Afterward, reward yourself with a fun activity. Delayed gratification will not only minimize procrastination, it also will allow you to enjoy your social time without feeling anxious about your classes or studying.
Create a sleep schedule that works for you, even if it is from 2:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m., and read yourself to sleep. Consistently getting eight hours of sleep each day can allow students with ADHD to pay attention more easily and avoid making impulsive decisions.
Use a planner or calendar to keep track of class meeting times, assignment due dates and tests/exams. The syllabi for your courses will list important dates. Add them to your planner as soon as you receive each syllabus. Electronic calendars can send reminders a few days before assignments are due or tests are scheduled.
It can be beneficial to think of college as a full-time job and plan to devote at least 40 hours each week to attending classes and completing coursework. (Studying 2 to 2½ hours weekly for each credit is a good rule of thumb.) Form study groups and prepare summaries of the chapters you are assigned to read. Use index cards and do not cram. Most people need to review something seven times in order to remember it. Skim optional reading for big ideas and use SparkNotes.com and CliffsNotes.com to better understand complicated material after you have read it. Your college’s Writing Center can help you plan essays and papers.
Be proactive and seek support before a crisis occurs. Monitor your grades throughout the semester and, if you are struggling to pass a class(es), talk to your professor(s) as soon as possible. There is very little that can be done in the last few weeks before final exams to drastically improve your grades.
Join a club(s) to meet students with similar interests. You can find religious fellowships, Quidditch teams, sustainability and social justice organizations, and College Democrats and Republicans on most campuses.
Limit or avoid alcohol consumption. Students with ADHD experience more negative consequences as a result of drinking and stimulant medication affects how ethanol is broken down by the body, leading to higher blood alcohol levels from even one or two servings. Consider avoiding pledging a fraternity or sorority, which often have alcohol use embedded in their culture. If drinking causes your grades, health or relationships to suffer, seek guidance from Student Health.
Regularly text, call, FaceTime or E-Mail your parents, who can provide moral support and help you stay grounded while you are surrounded by new people, places, events and expectations. Do not be afraid to ask for assistance. For parents of college students with ADHD, warning signs beyond the obvious ones of poor grades and/or skipping classes include constantly feeling overwhelmed or lacking motivation, getting excessive or inadequate sleep, refilling their medication inconsistently, eating poorly, experiencing social isolation, appearing to have increased anxiety and/or depression, and being unwilling to talk to on the phone with you or have you visit. If concerns arise, aim for clear, compassionate conversations without judgment, which will reduce shame and blame and allow everyone to better focus on developing a concrete plan for success. In order to accomplish this, use neutral observations like “I notice…” or “It seems like…”
With some advance planning, pursuing higher education with ADHD does not have to be a struggle. Establish ways to ensure accountability, communicate with family for needed support and troubleshoot before the Fall Semester begins. Parents should define shared goals with their college students, help build necessary scaffolding and focus on being an ally rather than a critic.