Top tips for coping with ADHD at school
Tell your teachers you have ADHD. If you explain that you have a problem and ask
for their help, teachers will be much more likely to work with you. Do so at the
beginning of the year, not after problems start.
Use an assignment notebook. This is essential. You cannot rely on your memory to
keep track of all of your assignments. Put all homework assignments in it, as
well as upcoming tests or quizzes. Check the book daily and check off your
assignments as you complete them.
Use a homework folder. Label one side "Work to Be Done" and put all assignment
sheets there. Label the other side "Completed Work to Be Turned In" and put all
finished assignments there as soon as you finish them. Check this folder every
day.
Use your backpack as an organizer. Keep pens and pencils in outside pockets,
your assignment notebook in another pocket, and your homework folder and books
inside. When you finish assignments, put them immediately into your bag to avoid
losing them or forgetting them the next morning.
Sit at the front of the class, near the teacher. It will make it much easier for
you to pay attention and not get distracted. Don't worry what others will think.
Just explain to them that it makes it easier for you to pay attention.
Take notes, even if you think you know the material. This makes it easier to
keep focused. Do not write everything down word for word, because this will slow
you down too much. Use an outline and indent as needed.
Use a tape recorder for lectures and studying. If you have a hard time paying
attention to the teacher, ask if you can tape record the lectures. You can
listen to the tapes later, not only to help you fill in the gaps of what you
missed in class, but also to help you study for tests and quizzes.
Tell your friends
What can I do to cope better with my day to day life? Having ADHD may seem like
a burden, and in some ways it is. You may wish that it would just go away. This
is understandable. By following some simple strategies, you can make your life
much easier. Again, try different ones and see what works for you.
Tell friends you have ADHD. While it may seem embarrassing, having ADHD is
nothing to be ashamed about. Telling close friends can be very helpful. They can
be more supportive of you. Perhaps they can give you reminders if they know you
tend to be forgetful.
Make time to let off steam. Being physically active is very important to work
off some of the excess energy and stress you may have. * Make lists of things to
do. This is extremely important! Make lists of things you have to do on a
regular basis and post them on the wall or some other place (e.g. your
assignment notebook). Possible lists include: checklists for taking trips;
materials you need to bring home from school; and things to do before going to
bed.
Learn to express your feelings more appropriately. Blurting things out can often
hurt the feelings of those close to you. Try to use "I" statements. For example,
instead of saying "you make me so angry, " say "I really feel upset when you nag
me all the time." You can also try writing letters to people if that would be
easier. This gives you time to think about what you really want to say.