Samira Warsame is a passionate nursing student dedicated to understanding how public health initiatives can support communities. She aims to empower individuals with the tools and information they need to lead healthier lives. On her days off, she enjoys baking any recipe she sees on TikTok.
Jennivieve Valin is a third-year nursing student committed to sharpening her clinical skills and providing compassionate, patient-centered care. Beyond her studies, she is deeply passionate about the arts, friends and family and all things feline-focused.
If you’re a student with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), you’ve likely faced challenges that make staying organized and focused feel like an uphill battle. The demands of university life often magnify those difficulties, but there’s good news! With the right strategies and support, thriving at school isn’t just a possibility, it’s within your reach.
Creating a supportive and inclusive learning environment is key for neurodiverse students, and having the right tools can make all the difference.
Neurodiversity is a way to describe how people’s brains work. Some perceive and process information differently than others – no two brains are exactly the same. Some examples of neurodivergence include ADHD, autism and dyslexia.
What is ADHD?
ADHD affects many aspects of daily life, and symptoms have often been present since childhood— like when it comes to schoolwork. Managing deadlines, staying focused during lectures and organizing assignments can often feel overwhelming for people with ADHD. Executive functioning, or the mental skills that help you manage tasks, might feel harder to manage with ADHD, and things like time management can easily slip through the cracks.
I’ve had classmates with ADHD tell me how frustrating it is to have brilliant ideas but struggle to organize them effectively. Knowing that ADHD impacts how the brain processes information is the first step in figuring out how to work with it rather than against it.
Our top study tips
Try out the tips below and find what works best for you.
Try multisensory and interactive learning
Sitting down and focusing on reading might feel too stagnant for some of us. Instead, try engaging multiple senses when studying. I personally like to use plenty of sticky notes, chew gum while reading aloud or tap my arm. Listening to relevant podcasts is a good way to engage your senses too.
Take frequent breaks or use the Pomodoro Technique
Shorter study sessions with breaks can help to prevent burnout and allow for mental rest. The Pomodoro Technique is a great way to do just that. Using this method, one would typically alternate between 25-minute study sessions and five-minute breaks, but feel free to customize those times to whatever works best for you. For example, I use a 30/7 split instead of the usual 25/5.
Pro tip: This is our favourite website to use the Pomodoro Technique on our laptops and phones!
Break down tasks and use to-do lists
Knowing that you have a lot of tasks to do can feel overwhelming and can even lead to procrastination. Break assignments into smaller, manageable parts by using a checklist to mark off completed tasks. This can help provide a sense of progress.
Pro tip: I personally use Notion to make my checklists, as well as to keep my lecture notes organized and even as a virtual diary.
Minimize distractions
Minimizing distractions might not be as simple as studying in a quiet space – find what works best for you. I like to use white noise or any low-level background noise to block out distracting sounds.
You can also try body doubling, which is when someone else is present while you work or focus on a task, even if they don't actively help. Their presence alone can help motivate you to stay on task and be productive. For example: try going to a coffee shop with a friend were you both are working on separate projects. Just being there together can help both of you stay focused.
A dopamine menu is another way to stay motivated by creating a list of small tasks, incentivized by a fun reward. For example, after completing an assignment you could reward yourself by scrolling on social media for five minutes or enjoying a snack.
Pro tip: Apps like Forest, a productivity tool that grows virtual plants the longer you leave your phone alone, also help reduce distractions in fun and interactive ways.
Connect with Student Accessibility Services
York students with temporary and permanent disabilities, including those who have been diagnosed with ADHD by a qualified healthcare practitioner, can register with Student Accessibility Services (SAS) for academic accommodations. Visit the SAS website for more information about deadlines and how to register.
Managing ADHD means embracing your strengths and prioritizing your well-being. With the right strategies, you can conquer any academic challenge and thrive personally. Now, let’s go show the world what you’re capable of!