Some tips on managing school and studying
Having ADHD at school can be one of your biggest hurdles. Some of the characteristics of ADHD include concentration problems, inattention to details, forgetfulness and communication problems. ADHD students often answer out of turn or interrupt teachers.
And moving to secondary school (or to a new or bigger school) can make this even more difficult, because there are more demands and responsibilities – but there are also more opportunities and new friends.
Here’s some tips which you might find helpful:
- Use a planner and write things down to stay organised – maybe tape a copy of your timetable to your locker as well as having one at home and in your school bag
- Keep a second set of pencils and pens in your locker in case you leave them at home
- Ask your teachers if it is ok to have something to fiddle with in class, like a small “squeezy ball” or “fidget spinner” which you can hold in your hand
- Try to sit near people who won’t distract you or annoy you
- Ask for a time-out card if a break outside the classroom would help you to calm down when you get frustrated
- When you don’t understand directions, ask your teacher to break the directions down into steps
- Remember to wait until your teacher stops talking to ask a question
- Ask your teacher to check your homework journal to make sure you have taken down everything that you need to
Tips for students for exam preparation
- Ideally, you need to start studying right at the beginning of your study term
- Take good notes throughout the term & study from the notes
- Use flash cards to help you to memorise information
- Use past exam papers to identify trends
- Approach your teacher for advice
- Plan your answers leaving enough time to attempt every question
Thinking about going to college?
ADHD Ireland endeavours to ensure that children and young people with ADHD reach their potential and for many that means moving onto 3rd level education.
Did you know that ADHD qualifies as a disability within the DARE (Disability Access Route to Education) scheme? A supplementary admissions route can be available via DARE to allow students under 23, who meet several criteria, access courses in participating third level colleges by reducing the number of CAO points that can be achieved by the student. You need to check the application criteria and procedure which are outlined on the DARE website
Those wanting to avail of reduced points need to state on the CAO form that the student has a disability or specific learning difficulty. Even if the supplementary admissions route is not needed or granted where students have special education needs this process also opens up a range a very significant special educational services at many third level colleges. For details contact the disability services at the colleges listed on the DARE website.
ADHD Ireland have an information book “Going to College? A Guide for Students with ADHD” to support you with making this decision. You can download a copy here.