Studying with ADHD can be stressful! With your mind racing in every direction, it gets difficult to focus.

Everyone experiences ADHD differently, but most students with this condition struggle with staying focused, meeting deadlines, and remembering details.

ADHD can also affect your performance in exams. There are many other symptoms as well, you can read about them in detail here. Understanding your ADHD is the first step in managing it.

But don’t worry! In the meantime, we’ve put together 7 tips to help you manage studying with ADHD. With the right strategies, you’ll be able to study successfully and quickly!

1. The Pomodoro technique

The Pomodoro technique has become a very popular part of studying routines. It’s a great technique.

Pomodoro is a time management tool that helps you stay focused by breaking down your work into smaller chunks.

Here’s how you can implement this technique:

1. Make a to-do list
2. Set a timer to 25 and start studying
3. During this 25-minute time block, focus on one task.
4. Once the timer rings, give yourself a 5-minute break. During this time, try not to use your phone as it can break your concentration.
5.  Mark off one Pomodoro.
6. When the 5-minute break ends, set your timer to 25 minutes and start again.
7. After 4 pomodoros, you can take a longer, 20-minute break.

2.  Find Your Ideal Study Environment

You’ll find that everyone has their own idea of what the perfect studying environment is. A noisy coffee shop? Absolute silence? Music in the background? All of these are valid choices, so you just have to find out what matters most and what helps you focus.

Here’s a very important tip for you: Some ADHD brains focus better with the help of white noise or instrumental music. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try different settings until you find what helps you focus.

3 . Break It Down into Small Tasks

Big assignments can feel overwhelming, It becomes really hard to start.  A good idea is to break it down into smaller tasks that are more easily achievable. When you complete each tip, it’ll

Instead of thinking, “I have to write this entire essay,” break it into smaller steps:

Step 1: Choose a topic

Step 2: Write out an outline

Step 3: Research for about 20 minutes

Step 4: Start writing one paragraph

This will help you get into the flow, and you’ll find that you’ll be able to write the essay without any hiccups.

4. Set deadlines

Setting deadlines helps manage your time and get things done on time. They help set up a workflow, which is a massive help if you are studying with ADHD. They also help keep you accountable, so you actually finish your tasks in time.

Without deadlines, nothing gets completed on time; they are helpful in creating structure. Which is very important for people with ADHD, as it helps them tackle otherwise overwhelming tasks.

5. Move while you are studying

Sitting still for hours is torture for anyone, but it’s especially difficult for people with ADHD! It especially becomes a problem when you are struggling with ADHD.

A good tip is to move while you’re studying. If your body wants to move, let it! Here are a few ways you can mix movement into your study time:

1. Try to walk around your room while reading
2. Make sure to stretch during study breaks
3. Use a bouncy chair or sit on an exercise ball
4. You can also use a fidget toy to keep your hands busy

These are just some of the ways you can deal with sitting still and maintaining the focus required for studying. Any movement can be helpful as it will help burn off that extra energy so your brain can chill and focus.

Other than moving while studying, physical exercise can also be a huge help during studying with ADHD. In general, physical activity keeps your brain in better shape. When you are physically active or exercise, your brain releases chemicals called neurotransmitters, including dopamine, which help with attention and clear thinking.

6. Try Body Doubling

A very interesting tactic for studying with ADHD is body doubling! Body doubling for ADHD involves having someone else sit by you as you work on a task you need to complete.

It doesn’t matter what your body double is working on, as long as they are doing it alongside. If you can’t have someone there in person, a virtual body double can work as well. Have someone sit with you on a video call or FaceTime, and get started!

The body double acts as a source of motivation, support, and accountability when studying with ADHD. By staying calm and focused, they help you be calm and focused on your task as well.

7. Reward Yourself

In general, people with ADHD require stronger, shorter-term incentives to encourage certain behaviors. Your brain loves rewards. So give it something to look forward to!

The promise of a reward helps keep motivation up, even when studying feels hard, so every time you finish a study session, treat yourself by:

• Watching a short YouTube video
• Eating a favorite snack
• Taking a 15-minute walk
• Scrolling social media (set a timer!)

Or anything else that feels like a good reward to you!

Celebrating big and small wins is a great way to boost your motivation and confidence.

Conclusion

Studying with ADHD doesn’t have to be a nightmare. It’s all about finding what works for YOU. Try out these tips to see what works for you. Do your best, but don’t expect perfection. Some days will be great, others not so much, and that’s totally okay.

And remember, while coffee is great, sleep is better. So remember to take regular breaks and stay hydrated.

What’s your go-to tip for studying with ADHD? To choose courses that match your aptitude, contact Enrollmate today!