It's that time of year again; that's right, finals are here! On the bright side, you can see the light at the other end of the tunnel. Nevertheless, before you break out the swimsuit and picnic baskets, you have to get there first. If you have attention deficit disorder, the gateway towards summer break seems as if it is miles away. But if you keep your nose to the grind, you'll make it triumphantly.
Schedule Your Tests in Alternate Locations
If you had testing modifications in high school, there's a chance that you can get those same mods transferred over to your college. Every college has an Office For Student Disabilities; a place where students with disabilities can get help for homework and tests. If your mods transfer, you can use this office as a place to test. If you didn't have mods, try to schedule your exam at a time when the classroom will be partially empty; the less people there are in the classroom, the less likely you'll get distracted while you're taking your test.
Write Down EVERYTHING on Sticky Notes
Since it's finals week, you probably have a lot on your plate right now; moving out, saying goodbye to your friends, studying for your exams, writing final essays, etc. Sticky notes will help jog your memory and remind you to complete obsolete tasks. Anything from a long to-do list to a simple reminder to finish your history essay; having visual reminders around your work space will help you during crunch time.
Install a 'StayFocused' App on Your Browser
StayFocused is an app on the Chrome Store that allows you to block certain websites for any given period of time. If you're notorious for spending hours on Twitter or Facebook when you should be writing that essay, StayFocused will block these websites and remind you to keep working. Yes, if you have to visit one of these websites while the block is still installed, you can uninstall it; however the app will prompt you to keep studying instead.
Schedule Set Periods to Study
As trivial as it sounds, writing down everything you need to do will help. Giving yourself set periods of time to work and to take breaks will help time pass by. Work for a half hour on one thing, take a 10 minute break, then work for another 30 minutes. Repeat this until you feel like you need to move onto another subject, or take a longer break.
Put Your Phone Away
You could have 100 website blockers on your web browser and get working on your essay when your friend Snapchats you. The next thing you know, you're knee-deep in your phone and distracting yourself from your work. Put your phone in a desk drawer, or across the room. Ignore it while you're working. Your friends can wait; studying is more important.
Flash Cards Are Life
When you have ADHD, studying seems like an impossible task. You probably procrastinate until the last minute leading up to your exam, I know I do. Like it or not, it's not worth the anxiety and stress you'll have if you go into your test without knowing anything. Writing all your facts on flashcards will help, even if you don't review them afterwards. The physical act of writing your facts down will help you remember more.
Set Reminders to Medicate
The worst thing you can do is forget to take your medicine before a test. You'll sit there and suddenly-- oh god, I forgot to take my pill. The next thing you know, it's all downhill from there. Write it on your hand, put an alarm on your phone, leave it out on your desk overnight; whatever the case, do not forget to medicate.
Don't Forget to Relax!
Taking breaks from studying is very important. Hyperfocusing on your work will have ill-effects if you don't break every once and awhile. Get up and walk around the library or walk around campus, go to lunch with your friends, or take a half hour to watch a cartoon. Whatever it is, give your brain a break periodically. Take a hot shower, maybe socialize a little with your friends. Ultimately, as long as you make an attempt to look at your class notes, you're already on a path towards achievement.
Having ADHD is difficult, sure, however there are many things you can do in order to help you stay focused on the task at hand. As long as you make an effort to study, you'll feel better in the long run. There's nothing worse than going into a test and not knowing anything, so studying is key.
