An Inattentive ADHD uni students guide to exam prep.
1. Organise yourself
Make lists, figure out what exams are happening when and how much study you need to do for each topic to cover the relevant material. Set reminders for studying, eating, grocery shopping, cooking, taking your meds. Keep to a schedule it’ll reduce the panic.
2. Sleep!
I cannot stress this enough, so I’m going to put it in capitals GET ENOUGH SLEEP! Sleep schedules people, start rearranging your schedule so you can be functional at 8am. However, if you have insomnia, look into getting your exams rearranged so it’s within your awake hours. Generally this can be accomplished by going to a counsellor or psychologist and contacting the school.
3. Actually study
Making lists and organising yourself is one thing but, knowing that our brains are going to want to screw with that is something to plan for. I use a reward system. I’ll arrange for a friend to come over and study with me and I’ll set myself a study goal to achieve before they get to mine. Sometimes I will have to do a lot of reading so I get myself some candy and will have a gummy bear once I finish a chapter.
4. Remember that your life is not study
As much as study is important. Remember that you’re a human and you’re likely not going to gain anything by not bathing or eating properly or ignoring your partner. Try and take an hour out everyday to let yourself off the hook and do something fun and relaxing.
5. Exercise.
Yah, I know… It’s the last thing I want to do but, seriously, try and do a bit every now and then. Stretching out after an hours worth of study will suffice for awhile…
6. Don’t caffeinate too much
Caffeine actually does nothing for an ADHD brain. If you want to focus try and up the protein in your diet. It’s our secret focus food. If you want a dopamine rush i.e. get happy, have some carbs.
7. Don’t let panic put you in auto mode
Auto mode, or as I call it procrastination/avoidance/failure mode is the worst. Panicking about exams is totally normal. It’s nerve wracking, don’t let it put you in a position to fail. You got this!
8. Make alternate exam arrangements
My uni makes us do our exams in a massive sports hall with hundreds of other people. Which is HELL for someone with Inattentive ADHD. I have alternate arrangements now which puts me in a smaller room with one or two other people tops. It makes an amazing difference!
9. Do practice exams
In order to not panic/procrastinate knowing what you’re getting into is key. Try and do a couple of practice exams with a friend or something and get them to mark it for you. It’ll calm your brain, trust me.
10. Make appointments
Go and talk to your professors. Ask pointed questions about the exam. Try and have a practice exam completed before you go and see them and ask them to have a look over it. If you’ve done your study you should have a ton of questions and it’ll just help you to chill out closer to the exams.
YOU CAN DO IT!
