10 Tips for a Great School Year
Like it or not, another school year is almost upon us. In fact, I have a cousin whose daughter has already started school which to me seems way too early, but that is beside the point. Back to school can be a stressful time for those with ADHD because of the challenges that come along with school. However, there are steps you can take to make this school year great.
1.) Get to Know Your Teacher(s)
In my experience, learning went better when I was on good terms with my teachers. If I liked them, I wanted to work hard in their class. Positive motivation is key. When you have a strong relationship with your teacher, you are more likely to work hard than if you fear your teacher.
Communicating with your teachers is important. It is especially so in a year like this one where many schools have social distancing measures in place. Some schools are going back to in-person classes. Others are doing online classes or a hybrid delivery system. Establishing a regular dialogue with your teachers will help you know what is expected of you.
2.) Ask for a Specific Spot in the Room
Some people with ADHD do better in the front of the room. It helps keep them engaged with the teacher. Other students with ADHD need to sit in the back of the room. This allows them to move around and fidget if they need to without distracting the other students in the class. Where do you most need to sit?
3.) Get Plenty of Sleep
This might be difficult to do because of early school start times, but sleep is extremely important. The National Sleep Foundation recommends 9-11 hours of sleep for grade school students, 8-10 hours for teenagers, and 7-9 hours for young adults. Sleep has a crazy amount of benefits. Be sure to get plenty of sleep this school year and do not pull any all-nighters. You are better off getting sleep than you are studying late into the night.
4.) Organize Your Class Work by Color
When I was in junior high, they made us organize our folders and notebooks by color. Science was green. Math was yellow. Social Studies was blue. And, English was red. Looking back, that was a brilliant move by the school. It forced me to organize my work by color. I was more organized in junior high than I was in college when I tried to organize everything in just three folders.
5.) Schedule Homework Time
Knowing when you will get your homework and studying done can be beneficial. Instead of going, “I guess I could do my homework now,” or finding yourself forgetting to do it, you know when homework will be done. Having a regularly scheduled time for homework brings the structure ADHD brains need to succeed.
6.) Reward Yourself Incrementally Along the Way
In some classes, you do not get rewarded until the end of the semester. That grade at the end of a semester is a poor motivator for those of us with ADHD. On the other hand, if you reward yourself for getting homework in on time, good grades on tests and quizzes, and accomplishing other short-term goals, you can stay motivated throughout the whole semester and not just at the end of the semester when you are trying to get your grades up.
7.) Take Frequent Breaks
The ADHD brain has to work super hard to stay focused. This tires it out more easily. To remedy this, take frequent breaks to give your brain some time to recharge. Implementing this will make you more productive in your academic endeavors.
8.) Find Some Time to Relax
School can be stressful. Therefore, it is important to take time to relax and have some fun throughout the day. During school hours, it might be difficult, but after school, you should definitely be doing something fun every day,
9.) Never Underestimate the Power of YouTube and Google
One of the biggest helps to me in college was realizing that my textbooks and instructors will not my only resources. I found that, when I was stuck, I could turn to YouTube and Google for help. There is a tremendous amount of resources available on the internet just waiting for you to take advantage of them.
10.) Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help
You are not alone. Your struggles in school do not have to be handled alone. It is possible to get help, and there is no shame in doing so. Your teachers are there to be a resource, and there are others who are ready, willing, and able to step in and help you with school. Coaching can also be beneficial to one’s academic performance.