do you have any tips for studying with adhd
[cracks knuckles] alright here are the things that work the best for me:
General study tips:
Study in a library/study area/empty classroom. I’m more likely to actually study because other people are there + it’s usually a very organised space.
COVID version: if public areas are closed try to study in a room that is not your bedroom. Only bring the things you need for studying)
Study with other people!!!
COVID version: videocall your friend/partner/study buddy. If their ‘people noises’ (breathing, typing) distract you too much you can both mute your microphone and just wave at each other sometimes.
Study in time blocks! I personally study for 20 minutes, take a short break, then study for 20 minutes again. You can do shorter or longer blocks if you prefer!
Figure out a reward system. I give myself gold star stickers when I finish a chapter/complete an exercise/etc. It sounds childish but it works for me!
Tips for reading:
Read texts out loud.
Figure out the best medium for you. I started printing texts instead of reading them from on my laptop because it was easier for me to focus on actual paper.
If you have to read long texts, use markers! Use one colour for every date or year, another colour for every name. Use a third colour for important sentences. Scribble your notes in the margins!
Tips for writing essays/papers:
Puke words first and don’t worry too much about structure or proper grammar. Go back and edit it later.
Set (very) small goals. I am currently working on my thesis and I try to write 100 words a day. That is not a lot & that is good because it means I can still reach my goal on bad days!
I hope this helps, good luck!
Something that works really well for me is to play the musical scores from films I like. It can't just be any old music -- if its any kind of music with lyrics, my brain will lock onto the lyrics and will focus on them instead of what im meant to be doing, and if its new music that I'm unfamiliar with my brain is like "oh? New music?? We must Pay Attention to it."
But if it's orchestral music from movies or TV shows that I like, then its familiar enough that my brain doesn't feel the need to laserfocus on it, but also, its pleasant-- i know i like this music, and that does two things; one, none of my attention is drawn away by trying to decide if I like a track or if I want to skip it, and two, because its music I like, it lifts my mood automatically and makes the whole studying experience more pleasant.
95% of my brain is free to focus, and the small but loud 5% that would usually derail me is occupied by sitting there with my minds eye closed listening blissfully to great music.
Some great film scores:
Lord of the Rings
How to Train Your Dragon
Spirit Stallion of the Cimarron
Pirates of the Caribbean
The Lion King (original animated film score)
Avatar
Free Willy
Anything from Studio Ghibli
Theres also some great film score compilations on YouTube.
