How to Do Well in School with Attention Deficit Disorder
Establish homework folders., Organize your class materials., Reward good work., Schedule your day., Work on assignments every day., Use a fidget., Limit distractions., Get enough sleep., Make studying manageable., Practice., Talk to your teachers.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Establish homework folders.
One major problem that children with ADHD run into when going to school is a lack of focus on work that needs to be done.
In order to help with this, make yourself two homework folders.
One should be a "To Do" folder and the other should be a "Completed" folder.
In order to keep yourself more organized, take any handout that relates to your homework and place it in the folder.
Keep a few sheets for loose paper in the folder as well to keep track of any book work or written assignment that does not have an accompanying handout.
Once you have completed the assignment, move it over to the "Completed" folder or mark it off the list.
Make sure you check this folder every day.
Keep it with you at school and make sure you put all of your assignments in there.
If you have some assignments that you have weeks to work on, think about making a separate folder labeled "In Process" to house the assignments that are works in progress, such as research papers or projects.
This will help you keep them separate from the day to day assignments that are due. -
Step 2: Organize your class materials.
One of the best ways to help your focus is to have everything laid out for you in a particular place.
In addition to the homework folders, you need to have all of your school materials in a specific place.
This will help you find things and keep track of everything you need for school.
Have a different folder and notebook for each subject.
Clearly label the front of each with the name of the subject, the name of the teacher, and what time a day you are in that class.
Not only will this help you stay organized, it will also help you remember all the other important details about your class.
If you think you might lose the folders and notebooks if you keep them separate, try using large three ring binders instead.
You can keep all of you notes and handouts in the same binder and keep the classes separated with dividers.
In this case, label each divider to keep track of where each class is., Small tasks can not feel like achievements at all when you do them every day.
In order to make yourself stay more on track, find ways to reward yourself in small ways.
If you focused enough to study hard for an exam and made a good grade, give yourself a small treat, such as watching your favorite TV show, going to the movies, or some of your favorite candy.
If you see that your good work is rewarded, you will be more likely to work hard and focus on your assignments.
Don't give yourself rewards if you fail to do your tasks.
You only want to encourage good behavior., Children with ADHD need consistent structure to follow.
If you have a hard time staying on task, try scheduling your weeks before they begin.
Over the weekend, make a calendar of the week to come.
Put in the hours you are at school, any time dedicated to after school activities, enough time for homework every night, as well as leisure activities.
Don't forget to ADHD extra time in for studying when you have a test coming up or time to work on a paper when you have one due in the near future.
This will help you stay focused each day and stay on track with your studies and extra curricular activities.
If you have a job, make sure to write down your schedule each time you get it from your supervisor and ADHD it to your weekly schedule.
This will cut down on any problems with timing and will help you stay in your boss's good graces., When you have a large assignment coming up, remember to work on it every day.
If you put it off to the last minute, it will likely not get done.
When you make your schedule, put down some time to work on a paper or project that may not be due for a few months.
This will help you stay on top of assignments that are longer and more involved.
Treating them like homework every night will help you stay focused on them and get them done. , A fidget is an object, such as a stress ball, that can be used to help you concentrate.
If throughout the day at school you find yourself antsy or distracted, take out the stress ball or other object that will not interrupt class and squeeze it.
Use it to release some of your pent up energy and use it as an anchor to help you focus.
Visualize your focus getting clearer with each squeeze of the ball.
Keep this object handy so you can grab it at a moment's notice.
If you think it might cause a problem with your teacher, talk to him and tell him why you have it.
He should understand and let you keep it as long as you don't misuse it., In class, distractions can make you lose focus, which can cause you to miss important information, learn less, miss assignments, and fall behind in class.
In order to prevent this, limit your distractions in class.
Don't have anything on your desk except what you need to have out.
Try to sit away from friends or people who may distract you.
Also avoid sitting near a window or the door to the hall.
This will help you focus and stay on track.
If you have assigned seating, ask your teacher to move you to a more appropriate location that will help you stay focused., Lack of sleep can increase the symptoms of ADHD.
Being tired can affect your attention span, memory, and problem solving skills.
In order to cut down on the symptoms you have at school, get a good night's sleep every night. , For most people with ADHD, sitting for long periods of time is not possible.
In order to make studying more manageable for you, break it up into smaller pieces.
Study in 30 minute chunks and then give yourself a five to 10 minute break.
Spend the break doing something that will help let off some of your excess energy or a span issues, such as a level on a video game or a quick job around the block.
Then once back to studying for another 30 minutes.
Repeat until you get your studying done.
Set an alarm for each segment of your activities.
This way, you will actually study for the necessary period of time and then only break for the amount of time as well.
If you think you can study longer, try going longer between breaks.
If 30 minutes is too much at once, go down to 20 minutes.
No matter how long you study, try to work up to a longer session of studying if you can.
This will help you increase your concentration skills and make you a more effective studier., All of these methods may not come easy to you at first.
ADHD can make it hard to put some of these things into action, but know that once you do, they can help you become a better learner and do better in school.
Instead of trying to implement them all at once, try one at a time.
Get someone to help you start these methods.
Ask a family member, close friend, or teacher to help you incorporate these changes into your school and home life. , If you are having issues with your school work, ask your teacher or teachers for help.
Each has likely dealt with a student with ADHD before and will understand your need for Additional assistance.
If you are having trouble concentrating, ask them if there is a way for you to change your seat.
If you have issues when you take exams, ask your teachers if you can take your test in another room, if you can wear headphones, or sit away from other students to avoid distractions.
Your teachers may also be able to structure your assignments more rigidly to help you do them in smaller chunks.
Don't be embarrassed to ask and make sure you are respectful.
Your teachers are there to help and they all want you to succeed. -
Step 3: Reward good work.
-
Step 4: Schedule your day.
-
Step 5: Work on assignments every day.
-
Step 6: Use a fidget.
-
Step 7: Limit distractions.
-
Step 8: Get enough sleep.
-
Step 9: Make studying manageable.
-
Step 10: Practice.
-
Step 11: Talk to your teachers.
Detailed Guide
One major problem that children with ADHD run into when going to school is a lack of focus on work that needs to be done.
In order to help with this, make yourself two homework folders.
One should be a "To Do" folder and the other should be a "Completed" folder.
In order to keep yourself more organized, take any handout that relates to your homework and place it in the folder.
Keep a few sheets for loose paper in the folder as well to keep track of any book work or written assignment that does not have an accompanying handout.
Once you have completed the assignment, move it over to the "Completed" folder or mark it off the list.
Make sure you check this folder every day.
Keep it with you at school and make sure you put all of your assignments in there.
If you have some assignments that you have weeks to work on, think about making a separate folder labeled "In Process" to house the assignments that are works in progress, such as research papers or projects.
This will help you keep them separate from the day to day assignments that are due.
One of the best ways to help your focus is to have everything laid out for you in a particular place.
In addition to the homework folders, you need to have all of your school materials in a specific place.
This will help you find things and keep track of everything you need for school.
Have a different folder and notebook for each subject.
Clearly label the front of each with the name of the subject, the name of the teacher, and what time a day you are in that class.
Not only will this help you stay organized, it will also help you remember all the other important details about your class.
If you think you might lose the folders and notebooks if you keep them separate, try using large three ring binders instead.
You can keep all of you notes and handouts in the same binder and keep the classes separated with dividers.
In this case, label each divider to keep track of where each class is., Small tasks can not feel like achievements at all when you do them every day.
In order to make yourself stay more on track, find ways to reward yourself in small ways.
If you focused enough to study hard for an exam and made a good grade, give yourself a small treat, such as watching your favorite TV show, going to the movies, or some of your favorite candy.
If you see that your good work is rewarded, you will be more likely to work hard and focus on your assignments.
Don't give yourself rewards if you fail to do your tasks.
You only want to encourage good behavior., Children with ADHD need consistent structure to follow.
If you have a hard time staying on task, try scheduling your weeks before they begin.
Over the weekend, make a calendar of the week to come.
Put in the hours you are at school, any time dedicated to after school activities, enough time for homework every night, as well as leisure activities.
Don't forget to ADHD extra time in for studying when you have a test coming up or time to work on a paper when you have one due in the near future.
This will help you stay focused each day and stay on track with your studies and extra curricular activities.
If you have a job, make sure to write down your schedule each time you get it from your supervisor and ADHD it to your weekly schedule.
This will cut down on any problems with timing and will help you stay in your boss's good graces., When you have a large assignment coming up, remember to work on it every day.
If you put it off to the last minute, it will likely not get done.
When you make your schedule, put down some time to work on a paper or project that may not be due for a few months.
This will help you stay on top of assignments that are longer and more involved.
Treating them like homework every night will help you stay focused on them and get them done. , A fidget is an object, such as a stress ball, that can be used to help you concentrate.
If throughout the day at school you find yourself antsy or distracted, take out the stress ball or other object that will not interrupt class and squeeze it.
Use it to release some of your pent up energy and use it as an anchor to help you focus.
Visualize your focus getting clearer with each squeeze of the ball.
Keep this object handy so you can grab it at a moment's notice.
If you think it might cause a problem with your teacher, talk to him and tell him why you have it.
He should understand and let you keep it as long as you don't misuse it., In class, distractions can make you lose focus, which can cause you to miss important information, learn less, miss assignments, and fall behind in class.
In order to prevent this, limit your distractions in class.
Don't have anything on your desk except what you need to have out.
Try to sit away from friends or people who may distract you.
Also avoid sitting near a window or the door to the hall.
This will help you focus and stay on track.
If you have assigned seating, ask your teacher to move you to a more appropriate location that will help you stay focused., Lack of sleep can increase the symptoms of ADHD.
Being tired can affect your attention span, memory, and problem solving skills.
In order to cut down on the symptoms you have at school, get a good night's sleep every night. , For most people with ADHD, sitting for long periods of time is not possible.
In order to make studying more manageable for you, break it up into smaller pieces.
Study in 30 minute chunks and then give yourself a five to 10 minute break.
Spend the break doing something that will help let off some of your excess energy or a span issues, such as a level on a video game or a quick job around the block.
Then once back to studying for another 30 minutes.
Repeat until you get your studying done.
Set an alarm for each segment of your activities.
This way, you will actually study for the necessary period of time and then only break for the amount of time as well.
If you think you can study longer, try going longer between breaks.
If 30 minutes is too much at once, go down to 20 minutes.
No matter how long you study, try to work up to a longer session of studying if you can.
This will help you increase your concentration skills and make you a more effective studier., All of these methods may not come easy to you at first.
ADHD can make it hard to put some of these things into action, but know that once you do, they can help you become a better learner and do better in school.
Instead of trying to implement them all at once, try one at a time.
Get someone to help you start these methods.
Ask a family member, close friend, or teacher to help you incorporate these changes into your school and home life. , If you are having issues with your school work, ask your teacher or teachers for help.
Each has likely dealt with a student with ADHD before and will understand your need for Additional assistance.
If you are having trouble concentrating, ask them if there is a way for you to change your seat.
If you have issues when you take exams, ask your teachers if you can take your test in another room, if you can wear headphones, or sit away from other students to avoid distractions.
Your teachers may also be able to structure your assignments more rigidly to help you do them in smaller chunks.
Don't be embarrassed to ask and make sure you are respectful.
Your teachers are there to help and they all want you to succeed.
About the Author
Diana Hughes
A seasoned expert in education and learning, Diana Hughes combines 3 years of experience with a passion for teaching. Diana's guides are known for their clarity and practical value.
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