4 answers
Katelyn
Student
Mechanicsville, Virginia
1
Question
Asked
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What study methods would you recommend for someone with ADHD?
Have shorter attention span and get distracted really easily. Also very hard to memorize things.
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4 answers
Tiara Martin
Talent Strategy Director
4
Answers
Florham Park, New Jersey
Updated
Tiara’s Answer
Hey Katelyn! You’re definitely not alone in this. I have ADHD too, and when I went back to school for my master’s a few years ago, I had to completely rethink how I studied.
A few things that genuinely helped me:
1) Study in short, intentional bursts (with a timer).
Long study sessions were a trap for me. What worked was setting a timer for 20–30 minutes, fully focusing, then intentionally taking a short break. Knowing a break was coming made it easier to stay locked in. I’d literally schedule the break, not treat it as a failure.
2) Use structure to reduce decision fatigue.
Same study spot, same time of day, same routine when possible. The less I had to decide how to study, the more energy I had to actually do it.
3) Work with your distractions, not against them.
If silence makes your brain wander, try low background noise, instrumental music, or white noise (Brain.fm). If sitting still is hard, standing desks, walking while reviewing notes, or fidget tools can help (my favorite).
Most important: struggling with focus or memorization doesn’t mean you’re not smart or capable. It just means your brain works differently. Once I stopped fighting that and started building systems around it, things got way easier.
A few things that genuinely helped me:
1) Study in short, intentional bursts (with a timer).
Long study sessions were a trap for me. What worked was setting a timer for 20–30 minutes, fully focusing, then intentionally taking a short break. Knowing a break was coming made it easier to stay locked in. I’d literally schedule the break, not treat it as a failure.
2) Use structure to reduce decision fatigue.
Same study spot, same time of day, same routine when possible. The less I had to decide how to study, the more energy I had to actually do it.
3) Work with your distractions, not against them.
If silence makes your brain wander, try low background noise, instrumental music, or white noise (Brain.fm). If sitting still is hard, standing desks, walking while reviewing notes, or fidget tools can help (my favorite).
Most important: struggling with focus or memorization doesn’t mean you’re not smart or capable. It just means your brain works differently. Once I stopped fighting that and started building systems around it, things got way easier.
Khy Jemi
Software Developer
1
Answer
Bamenda, Northwest, Cameroon
Updated
Khy’s Answer
Hey! I totally get what you're going through. Having ADHD while being a student can feel like trying to read a book during a party - there's just so much going on in our minds! But guess what? You're not alone, and your ADHD brain is actually pretty amazing when you learn to work with it.
Let me share some study tricks that have helped students like us and by us i mean Me too(yes, I have ADHD!):
1. Find your "cozy corner" (but not TOO comfy 😉)
2. Keep fidget toys nearby (they actually help us focus!)
3. Use noise-canceling headphones when needed
4. Have snacks and water ready (because who can focus when hungry?)
5. Work With Your ADHD Brain, Not Against It
6. Study in short bursts (I call them "power pods" - 15-20 minutes max)
7. Take dance breaks (yes, really! Movement helps our brain reset)
8. You can use music to elevate your mood and restore your spark when you feel bored
9. Use bright colors for notes (our brains love visual excitement)
10. Switch subjects when bored (it's okay, really!)
11. Make It Fun (Because We All Know Boring Doesn't Work)
12. Create silly songs about what you're learning
13. Draw cartoons of concepts
14. Explain stuff to your teddy bear ,your mirror (sounds weird, works great!)
15. Make studying into a game with rewards
16.Study while walking
17.Use a standing desk
18. Setting smaller, achievable goals
19. Using visual progress trackers
20. Finding an accountability buddy
Remember:
Your ADHD brain isn't a mistake - it's just wired for excitement and innovation. Those "consistency problems" you mentioned? They're not character flaws; they're just part of how our brains work. You can work with them, not against them.
Let me share some study tricks that have helped students like us and by us i mean Me too(yes, I have ADHD!):
1. Find your "cozy corner" (but not TOO comfy 😉)
2. Keep fidget toys nearby (they actually help us focus!)
3. Use noise-canceling headphones when needed
4. Have snacks and water ready (because who can focus when hungry?)
5. Work With Your ADHD Brain, Not Against It
6. Study in short bursts (I call them "power pods" - 15-20 minutes max)
7. Take dance breaks (yes, really! Movement helps our brain reset)
8. You can use music to elevate your mood and restore your spark when you feel bored
9. Use bright colors for notes (our brains love visual excitement)
10. Switch subjects when bored (it's okay, really!)
11. Make It Fun (Because We All Know Boring Doesn't Work)
12. Create silly songs about what you're learning
13. Draw cartoons of concepts
14. Explain stuff to your teddy bear ,your mirror (sounds weird, works great!)
15. Make studying into a game with rewards
16.Study while walking
17.Use a standing desk
18. Setting smaller, achievable goals
19. Using visual progress trackers
20. Finding an accountability buddy
Remember:
Your ADHD brain isn't a mistake - it's just wired for excitement and innovation. Those "consistency problems" you mentioned? They're not character flaws; they're just part of how our brains work. You can work with them, not against them.
Thank you!! These are so helpful! I have found this fidget that I really love because it's a ring that is super discreet and cute but so helpful!
Katelyn
Anelise Leishman
Technical Writer
3
Answers
Draper, Utah
Updated
Anelise’s Answer
Ditch any preconceived notions about how you "should" study, even how you should study with ADHD. Ultimately, it's about understanding and working with your brain, not against it. Here are three things that helped me:
1) Adapt strategies to fit you, not the other way around.
Many recommend the Pomodoro method for ADHD. Turns out I do my best work in long, hyperfocused stretches and not short bursts, so it's not for me. So I abandoned that technique and the pressure and shame I felt trying to make it work. I like time blocking better because it's less rigid—it provides the flexibility to follow my focus and access that flow state. Instead of changing myself to fit the strategy, I changed the strategy to fit me.
2) Address emotional roadblocks.
It's been said that ADHD is not necessarily an attention regulation issue, but an emotional regulation issue. When I find myself distracted or procrastinating, it's often because I'm avoiding something uncomfortable—an insecurity, fear, or challenge that's unconsciously holding me back. Identifying this dysregulation is the first step to overcoming it. Step back, name or write out those feelings, then interrogate them. This skill gets easier with practice.
3) Make the important thing interesting.
ADHDers typically have an interest-based motivation system, rather than importance/priority-based. If I have an important task but I'm distracted or finding it hard to get started, I have to make the important thing interesting. For me, it helps to turn the task into an art project where I have to create something. I write or draw concepts on stickies and arrange them on the wall in a visually pleasing way, or I use Freeform to organize, and color code my thoughts.
tl;dr Forget the "shoulds." Hop on YouTube and seek out perspectives from neurodivergent people who have found study methods that work for them. Try them on for size, and then self-reflect. Soon you'll have a personalized toolkit to keep you on track, and the self-awareness to take action when you get derailed.
1) Adapt strategies to fit you, not the other way around.
Many recommend the Pomodoro method for ADHD. Turns out I do my best work in long, hyperfocused stretches and not short bursts, so it's not for me. So I abandoned that technique and the pressure and shame I felt trying to make it work. I like time blocking better because it's less rigid—it provides the flexibility to follow my focus and access that flow state. Instead of changing myself to fit the strategy, I changed the strategy to fit me.
2) Address emotional roadblocks.
It's been said that ADHD is not necessarily an attention regulation issue, but an emotional regulation issue. When I find myself distracted or procrastinating, it's often because I'm avoiding something uncomfortable—an insecurity, fear, or challenge that's unconsciously holding me back. Identifying this dysregulation is the first step to overcoming it. Step back, name or write out those feelings, then interrogate them. This skill gets easier with practice.
3) Make the important thing interesting.
ADHDers typically have an interest-based motivation system, rather than importance/priority-based. If I have an important task but I'm distracted or finding it hard to get started, I have to make the important thing interesting. For me, it helps to turn the task into an art project where I have to create something. I write or draw concepts on stickies and arrange them on the wall in a visually pleasing way, or I use Freeform to organize, and color code my thoughts.
tl;dr Forget the "shoulds." Hop on YouTube and seek out perspectives from neurodivergent people who have found study methods that work for them. Try them on for size, and then self-reflect. Soon you'll have a personalized toolkit to keep you on track, and the self-awareness to take action when you get derailed.
Emily Reeves
Certified nursing assistant
7
Answers
Methuen, Massachusetts
Updated
Emily’s Answer
ADHD can make studying and staying focused a challenge that other students do not experience or fully understand. I suggest studying alone in a quiet space and try to limit distractions such as putting your phone on the opposite side of the room. Personally, taking hand-written notes in lectures helped me to retain more information. I also suggest reaching out to disability services at your school as they can offer additional resources including extended time on exams and assignments as well as providing an alternative location to take exams with reduced distractions.