Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a condition that makes it difficult to focus, organize, and control impulses.
According to the National Literacy Trust, only 35% of students aged 8 to 18 like studying in their spare time. Not a convincing figure, right? This is a lot more challenging with children with ADHD.
Over 60% of people with ADHD have a learning disability. For these students, it's not fun for a number of reasons, which we'll share during the course of this blog.
If you're a parent or ward who has a child with ADHD, we know you're fervently looking for ways to make their studying a lot better. Then, it's a good thing you're reading this now.
In the blog post, we’ll share some secrets that can help you study a lot better, even with ADHD.
Five Challenges of Studying Posed by ADHD
There are obviously some challenges that make studying a pain in the neck for students with ADHD. Let's have a quick look at some of the problems posed by this condition.
Concentration problems
Students with ADHD find it difficult to maintain concentration for long periods. It’s easy for students experiencing ADHD symptoms to get distracted by random thoughts or background noise.
Poor time management
Adults with ADHD often struggle with time management and procrastinate studying until tests or exams are imminent. Before long, deadlines approach, the workload increases, and the rush to complete assignments triggers stress.
Forgetfulness
People with ADHD often misplace their notes, forget they have assignments, and even lose track of their learning materials.
Difficulty studying for extended periods
Conventional study methods typically don’t work well for someone with an ADHD brain. The longer their reading sessions last, the more likely they are to burn out, leading to frustration.
Inconsistent motivation
Students with ADHD often find it nearly impossible to continue reading about subjects they don’t find interesting.
8 Secrets to Studying Better with ADHD
Although studying with ADHD can be challenging, with the right tools and a solid strategy, you can improve how you learn. If you’ve been trying to figure out how to study efficiently with ADHD, here are eight secrets that will help you study better.
1. Divide study sessions with the calendar function
One of the most important secrets or tips to better studying with ADHD is to break up study sessions. When a student with ADHD tries to complete a long study session, it rarely works, and that leads to frustration.
You can figure out how to study with ADHD at college by breaking your study time into short sessions using a calendar feature. The feature allows you to schedule study times with reminders.
2. Use explainer videos
One of the best ADHD study tips for students is to use explainer videos to study better. People with ADHD symptoms struggle when trying to read long PDFs or textbooks.
You should use explainer videos, which automatically breaks down complicated topics into simpler parts using videos. It is always better to learn with videos as they contain both visuals and sound.
3. Flashcards can be very helpful
One of the best secrets or tips to better learning with ADHD is to study with flashcards. Before a student with or without ADHD can do well on tests or exams, the information learned needs to be reread.
However, students with ADHD find this difficult as the disorder impairs working memory and attention span. It is more difficult to retain information through passive reading.
You can use Flashcards AI feature to test yourself in quick rounds. This way, your brain stays engaged throughout your reading sessions.
4. Turn boring notes into captivating designs
It’s more complicated to figure out how to learn efficiently with ADHD when using traditional note-taking methods. Note-taking can prove boring and tedious, resulting in shorter attention spans during learning activities.
One of the well-kept secrets or tips to studying better with ADHD is turning study materials into infographics and diagrams with Spark.E Visuals. The moment you see these visual summaries, your brain is instantly activated, making it easier for you to learn.
5. Record live lectures
Figuring out how to study at your own pace with ADHD can be difficult. Something as simple as a background noise or a notification from social media can be a distraction.
To solve this problem, you can take live lectures with StudyFetch. This instantly takes notes and presents you with a full transcript.
6. Engage with AI-driven quizzes
One of the secrets or tips to studying better with ADHD is to not read the same study materials multiple times but test yourself with quizzes. Quizzes AI makes it possible to test yourself in a fun way.
7. Use audio recaps for passive learning
Depending on what kind of person you are, you may learn better despite your ADHD if you get your information through audio instead of staring at text.
One of the best study tips for students with ADHD is audio recap. It allows you to listen to your study material while traveling, at the gym, or doing homework.
8. Get immediate help with an AI call
When you come across a difficult concept while reading, it can be easy to get stuck and stop reading. That’s why one of the best secrets or tips to study better with ADHD is to make a call with StudyFetch’s Call With Spark.E feature.
This way, you'll get instant answers while you're on the phone with the AI tutor and prevent you from procrastinating while reading.
How to Study Effectively With ADHD FAQs
Does ADHD make learning complicated?
Yes, ADHD makes studying more difficult due to distractions and procrastination. However, with StudyFetch products such as flashcards and explanatory videos, you can stay focused.
What is the best way to study with ADHD?
The best way to study with ADHD is through short study sessions and interactive learning. With StudyFetch’s audio recaps, you learn in an ADHD-friendly way.
What is the 30% rule for ADHD?
The 30% rule states that people with ADHD are 30% less effective in terms of their executive functioning than people without ADHD. This means that it is best to use structured routines and organize your study sessions to learn more efficiently.
How to learn with ADHD without medication?
You can study with ADHD without medication by using time management tools and engaging study methods. StudyFetch’s features, including flashcards, quizzes, AI, and explainer videos, keep your learning process dynamic.
Bottom line
For some students, it's difficult to study efficiently with ADHD because their brains work in a completely different way.
For one, it's harder to stay focused and organized. They are also more prone to poor time management and procrastination.
You can study effectively by using explanatory videos, using flashcards, breaking up your study sessions and testing your understanding with AI quizzes.