How to study in college with ADHD?

Hello. My name is Diana. I am new here. I was diagnosed with ADHD not even a month ago. I was given stimulant medication. I am in my second year of college and am struggling. I was actually misdiagnosed at the age of 8 with auditory processing disorder, which was actually ADHD.

I have dropped out of college once already. Changed my major probably five times. I cannot grasp any content. I have an enormous difficulty when reading textbooks because I end up rereading the first sentence over and over again for 40 minutes. That is if my mind does not wander off beforehand or I will remember I forgot to do the dishes and then it is too late to start studying again so then I end up wasting so much time trying to study, but never actually study.

What studying tips and techniques do you find useful? I feel like I forgot how to study at all. I am currently in biology and calculus. Please help me. Thank you.

[Hidden]

I like Jim Kwik's advice, although I don't think I would recommend paying for any of his programs or even his book. His free podcast is pretty good and his standard advice for learning anything you can remember by his acronym FAST. Forget your limitations. Active learning always. State dependant - if you are bored you won't remember anything (this is one of the super hard ones with ADHD. Teach what you have learned to others. (Study groups really help not only for accountability but also because you have the opportunity to teach your peers.) This quick podcast on this strategy I have found helpful: jimkwik.com/podcast/kwik-br...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Main advice that I wish I had followed when I was in college, even though I was diagnosed with ADHD much later, is to get all the help that you can. Do your bio and calc professors know you are struggling? Do they offer any extra study sessions for students who are struggling? Does the university provide or offer at low cost any tutors? Does the professor help organize study groups? Both bio and calc are two subjects that you have to be consistent in studying and learning and getting additional help or structure from the school or professor or your peers could help a lot through regular study sessions and review sessions.

[STEM_Dad in reply to Hidden]

I wish I'd joined study groups when I was in college.

I've learned in the working world that I both learn better and perform better with I'm on an interactive team.

[Tricia2021]

I am struggling with everything I truly attempt to do. All my life, I need to work and focus a lot harder and isn't easy for me. I can't help, but I hope you will find your right way. Best wishes.

[Gettingittogether]

I have a side hustle of teaching study techniques ... this is one of the best articles on how to study ....

The first one describes the problem:

aft.org/ae/winter2003-2004/...

The second one here gives the good techniques.

aft.org/periodical/american...

If you want a youtube video: here is a famous and well-regarded series (about 5 minutes each) on how to study ...

youtube.com/watch?v=RH95h36...(Not working as expected?)

Finally just google or go to youtube and look for "active learning" ... and you'll get to good suggestions ....

The overall attitude you bring to studying is important. Give yourself time to try out some of these techniques ... don't expect magic right away, though some of these techniques can immediately help you a lot. So commitment over years ... in a year, you should be able to improve your study habits ... and two years ... even more ... and on and on ...

[Hidden]

Wow. Outstanding video. Thanks for sharing. The first video was great!

[Gettingittogether in reply to Hidden]

When you have ADHD, you have to watch a video like this multiple times ... you want it to sink in at a deeper level ... you want to remind yourself ... allow yourself time to space out ... and refocus ... and know that developing study habits that work does take some time. Not an overnight thing, though you can make some quick progress.