Ten Ways to Improve Your Study Skills

I had lunch with a teacher friend of mine the other day. We were talking about skills tests in the schools and it reminded me that many people who have ADHD also have learning disabilities. Even if they don't have a specific learning disability, their concentration levels are not always conducive to achievement in school. I thought it might be helpful to discuss ten practical ways those with ADHD can improve their chances of success in school.

1. If your school has a class or course in study skills, be sure to take it. People learn in different ways. Usually these classes address several techniques to help individuals study. One or more of those ways may very well be helpful to you.

2. Find a class member who will share notes with you. Taking notes distracts some people with ADHD. If you are distracted by note taking, find a friend who takes good notes and have them share with you. Other people with ADHD find that taking notes helps to keep them on track, but they have difficulty discerning the most important parts. Sharing could help in this case, too.

3. With your teacher's permission, tape your classes. You can listen to the tapes later to fill in the gaps in your notes and to help you remember what was said. Small tape recorders are very affordable now and can make a tremendous difference in helping you study.

4. Use or form a study group. Make sure that those in the group will study and not distract you further. If the purpose of the group is to study and help others in the group learn, this can be invaluable to the person with ADHD. This will help to keep you on track and help you to not procrastinate in your studying.

5. Ask advice of a friendly teacher or counselor if you are having difficulties. Then, try your best to follow their advice. If their suggestions are not working for you, go back to the teacher or counselor and ask them for more ideas. You may need something very simple. Just being reminded to write your assignment down in your notebook may help tremendously.

6. If you use medication for the management of your ADHD, use it. Make sure you take it every day that you have classes or need to study for your classes. Medication can't study for you, but it can help you to stay on track and slow you down enough to concentrate on your classes.

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