{"id":38786,"date":"2025-08-07T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-07T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/?p=38786"},"modified":"2025-08-06T21:03:50","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T01:03:50","slug":"thriving-in-college-with-adhd","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/articles\/thriving-in-college-with-adhd\/","title":{"rendered":"Thriving in college with ADHD"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/white-square.png\" alt=\"image\" class=\"wp-image-34850\" style=\"width:20px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/white-square.png 200w, https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/10\/white-square-150x150.png 150w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:35%\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"930\" height=\"624\" src=\"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Thriving-in-college-with-ADHD.png\" alt=\"image\" class=\"wp-image-38787\" srcset=\"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Thriving-in-college-with-ADHD.png 930w, https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Thriving-in-college-with-ADHD-300x201.png 300w, https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Thriving-in-college-with-ADHD-768x515.png 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 930px) 100vw, 930px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-center is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:65%\">\n<p>The college experience can be both exciting and overwhelming. Students are thrust into a world of new friends,&nbsp; freedoms (and distractions), and academic expectations.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>For students living with ADHD, these conditions can bring unique challenges. The strategies you used in your K-12 education will still prove useful, but there are some college-specific tactics you\u2019ll want to consider. From staying organized and building strong study habits to prioritizing self-care and making the most of accommodations, there\u2019s no shortage of ways for students living with ADHD to survive (and thrive) in college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Get organized<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>College life is inherently a bit chaotic. Assignments, pop quizzes, group projects, different class schedules on different days \u2014 not to mention the many opportunities to socialize. It can be easy for things to fall through the cracks for students with ADHD, so structure and organization are key:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Put it on a calendar <\/strong>\u2013 Whether it\u2019s an old-fashioned paper planner or an app on your phone, use whichever works best for you. If it\u2019s important, it should go on the calendar. Use it to track all of your classes, due dates, and appointments in one easily accessible place.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Break up tasks <\/strong>\u2013<strong> <\/strong>Don\u2019t look at a research paper as one monolithic task. Instead, break it down into a series of smaller tasks to make it feel more manageable. Start with an outline, then a draft, then a second draft, and so on. \u201cOne bite at a time,\u201d as the saying goes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Set reminders <\/strong>\u2013 Set recurring alarms or reminders on your phone to prompt you to head to class, notify you when a deadline is approaching, or even remind you to take a break and grab a snack.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Show up <\/strong>\u2013 The temptation to skip a class can be strong, but so much of college success relies on showing up. Attend class regularly and be present. Bonus points for attending office hours and seeking out 1:1 time with your professors.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Find your study state<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Those study techniques that worked in high school may require some refining for college. The most effective study methods are the ones that work for you \u2014 and the ones you\u2019ll stick with. It might take a while to find your rhythm, so don\u2019t be afraid to experiment to see how you learn best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Avoid cramming <\/strong>\u2013 Instead of a marathon study session the night before a test, aim for short, focused sessions of 25\u201330 minutes, followed by a 5\u2011minute break.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Find the right environment <\/strong>\u2013 Whether it\u2019s your dorm room, the library, a coffee shop, or a communal lounge, experiment to find where you study best and are least likely to be distracted. Headphones can also help block distractions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Try a study group or find a buddy<\/strong> \u2013 Group study can lead to deeper engagement and allows for peer-mediated checks on comprehension (as long as it doesn\u2019t turn into a hangout).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Take care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s easy to burn the candle at both ends during college and let basic needs fall by the wayside, but it\u2019s important to prioritize things like consistent sleep, proper nutrition, and regular exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f9f7f5\">\u201cOur brains will not be functioning well if our basic needs are not met,\u201d says <a href=\"https:\/\/www.authenticselfadhd.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Anishia Denee<\/a>, an ADHD coach and behavior analyst. \u201cBut these are often the first things to get dropped when people get busy and stressed.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Something as simple as taking a walk between classes or during a study break can do wonders for your focus and mood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Explore accommodations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), colleges and universities are required to provide reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities \u2014 including ADHD. However, the responsibility of setting up those accommodations falls on the <a class=\"wpil_keyword_link\" href=\"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/students\/\" title=\"student\" data-wpil-keyword-link=\"linked\" data-wpil-monitor-id=\"1683\">student<\/a>. Previous IEP and 504 plans from your K-12 education do not automatically carry over to college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first step involves contacting the disabilities services office on campus. All colleges and universities have one. They\u2019ll help you learn more about what kinds of services are offered and what steps you need to take to access them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#f9f7f5\">\u201cMany of our young people don\u2019t want to get support from that office,\u201d says speaker and disability advocate <a href=\"https:\/\/chadd.org\/for-parents\/succeeding-in-college-with-adhd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">LaDerick Horne<\/a>. \u201cThey go to college thinking, \u2018this is my chance to hit the reboot button on my personality and how everybody else perceives me.\u2019 Some of you may, but the vast majority are going to need some help.\u201d Horne adds, \u201cThere is nothing wrong with asking for help. So, at the very least, register with disability support.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Common types of accommodations offered include: extra time for test-taking, note-talking assistance, permission to record lectures, and even priority registration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You\u2019ve got this<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>College is one of the most formative times of our lives, but finding your recipe for success takes work \u2014 especially for those living with ADHD. When things get overwhelming (which they inevitably will at times, ADHD or not), you can rest easy knowing the strong foundations and resources you\u2019ve put in place will help you thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Along the way, you\u2019ll learn skills outside of what\u2019s in your textbooks that will help you make the most of your experience \u2014 and beyond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-text-color has-alpha-channel-opacity has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ffeeb4;color:#ffeeb4\" \/>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.additudemag.com\/how-to-succeed-in-college-adhd-evidence-based-strategies\/?srsltid=AfmBOoo4zGmOGSdH0ba9HVZKnCust91jsaqTE4RdFQFVEYsRq3e-LK-X#footnote6\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">How to Succeed in College with ADHD: Evidence-Based Strategies That Work \u2013 ADDitude Magazine<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.additudemag.com\/adhd-and-college-survival-guide\/?srsltid=AfmBOorVZt_WBnxOSeUuDJspWzqjoNI_T9p-_47KERt5eHKgcyLgBKdq\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">The College Survival Guide for Students with ADHD \u2013 ADDitude Magazine<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.additudemag.com\/learn-more-in-less-time\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">7 Secrets to Studying Better with ADHD \u2013 ADDitude Magazine<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/chadd.org\/for-parents\/succeeding-in-college-with-adhd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Succeeding in College with ADHD \u2013 CHADD<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/add.org\/recommended-accommodations-college-students-adhd\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Recommended Accommodations For College Students With ADHD \u2013 ADD.org<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>From staying organized and building strong study habits to prioritizing self-care and making the most of accommodations, there\u2019s no shortage of ways for students living with ADHD to survive (and thrive) in college.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":38787,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[78],"tags":[11,86,89,90],"content_type":[39],"class_list":["post-38786","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","tag-adhd","tag-physical-mental-health","tag-students","tag-tools-tips","content_type-article"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38786","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/23"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38786"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38786\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38787"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38786"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38786"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38786"},{"taxonomy":"content_type","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/adhdonline.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content_type?post=38786"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}