Studying for exams with unmedicated ADHD

1.

Do you find it easier to work at night? Lots of adhd people I know do and, while it doesn’t work during term time, it can sometimes make a difference. (You can read about adhd and night working in a few blogs online)

2.

Does being kept accountable help? There are a few ways of doung this

3.

having a specific thing you want to accomplish within a set time limit (short time lile 20-25 mins)

4.

Working simultaneously with someone else, but without talking to them (‘parallel play’)

5.

Telling someone what you want to accomplish by a certain time

6.

Does working in a public space like a cafe or library help?

7.

Does it help you to listen to music at the same time? Some people find that using more senses means they can stay focused longer because it’s harder to get bored and distracted.

8.

Does it help tk study in a lighter/ darker environement?

9.

Do you focus better when you haven’t been on your phkne for a while? as a neuro-typical, I found that deleting TikTok and instagram during the academic year really helped me to focus more, and that getting off my phone and leaving it with my parents half an hour before I wanted tk start working can help me too.

10.

Does it help to make a list as you go of all the things you realise you need to solve/ sort/ do? I find it helpful to keep post its beside me so that when I realise I need to do laundry or clean the bathroom or go for a run or check whether anyone has replied to any emails, I can write it down and do the thing when I have free time.

11.

Can you learn to tell the difference between times when you don’t want to work, and when your brain is not going to let you work?