3 answers
Katy
Student
Rosemount, Minnesota
1
Question
Asked
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How were you able to navigate your completely online classes if you struggle with ADHD/Autism?
I am returning to school for the first time since being diagnosed with ADHD and my first semester is all online. I am nervous since I have difficulty managing my time and get easily distracted. What skills/hacks/resources do you use to help get your coursework done on time and manage feeling overwhelmed?
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3 answers
Myrissa Silva
Client Experience Supervisor
8
Answers
Nampa, Idaho
Updated
Myrissa’s Answer
Hi Katy!
I'm also in an online college program and deal with ADHD. The key to success is setting up a schedule you can follow. For instance, I dedicate at least 30 minutes each weekday to study and 2 hours on Sunday mornings. This keeps the information fresh for exams and lets me work at my own speed. Try setting alarms and finding a special spot for studying. Once you build a routine and stick to it, it will turn into a habit! You've got this!
I'm also in an online college program and deal with ADHD. The key to success is setting up a schedule you can follow. For instance, I dedicate at least 30 minutes each weekday to study and 2 hours on Sunday mornings. This keeps the information fresh for exams and lets me work at my own speed. Try setting alarms and finding a special spot for studying. Once you build a routine and stick to it, it will turn into a habit! You've got this!
David Bernklau Halvor
Data Analyst
2
Answers
Wilsonville, Oregon
Updated
David’s Answer
Hi Katy,
I'm on the spectrum and have challenges with procrastination. There are a few things I find helpful:
- Do what I say and say what I'm going to do - This is basically making commitments to others and forcing myself to meet them (even if means stay up and working through the night). I find myself more motivated to not disappoint others, and this strategy has been very helpful in the work world; people know they can count on you.
- Schedule a meeting or appointment that requires you to have finished the task (or at least part of the task) ahead of time. Setting deadlines for myself rarely works, but like the item above, bring others into the process increases my motivation, and in this case adds the bonus of a deadline.
- Minimize decisions - For me this means things like "no youtube videos today." If I allow myself a few videos, then there are more decisions to make, and I find it harder than a simple clear rule. Also in this vain, if you force yourself to be productive or bored, you will eventually choose productive.
Hope some of that is helpful!
I'm on the spectrum and have challenges with procrastination. There are a few things I find helpful:
- Do what I say and say what I'm going to do - This is basically making commitments to others and forcing myself to meet them (even if means stay up and working through the night). I find myself more motivated to not disappoint others, and this strategy has been very helpful in the work world; people know they can count on you.
- Schedule a meeting or appointment that requires you to have finished the task (or at least part of the task) ahead of time. Setting deadlines for myself rarely works, but like the item above, bring others into the process increases my motivation, and in this case adds the bonus of a deadline.
- Minimize decisions - For me this means things like "no youtube videos today." If I allow myself a few videos, then there are more decisions to make, and I find it harder than a simple clear rule. Also in this vain, if you force yourself to be productive or bored, you will eventually choose productive.
Hope some of that is helpful!
Richard Vagnoni
First Sergeant
7
Answers
North Las Vegas, Nevada
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Hi Ma'am,
I can relate to your concern greatly. If you are anything like me, when a paper or test is due, you are the most productive at literally anything else. I got bored easily so I fought through procrastination by hitting the assignments as soon as they were posted. While I do my best work under a time crunch, I find the anxiety falls off if you attack your assignments like they owe you money. After a few classes, you will find that you become antsy if the rubric is not posted on time. I got annoyed with how long the classes took and found myself getting bored and impatient. It took me 13 years to complete my BA degree as I changed schools and majors like 4 times.
Now my Masters was a different story. I completed a 2 year program in 9 months, and that was taking some time off. I discovered a college called Western Governors University (WGU). It was self paced (I know that seems bad but stay with me). Their rule is that you must get 3 classes done in 6 months, but you can take as long as you want to do it. If you finish early you can take more classes. Its competency based so take a test/write a paper and move on to the next course. Course material is written but also can be listened to like an audio book. If the teacher thinks you haven't mastered the material, they will make you revise the paper or retake the test. The faster you take the classes the cheaper it is, as they charge you for 6 month periods, not per class. I am not a recruiter, I am not being paid to endorse this school. I just find it works well for people like us.
WGU Review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeCVuwCetZw
Speed running your degree https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68eGtCVAbTU
Additionally, don’t waste your time taking a class you can test out of. Most Gen Ed classes has several tests you can take to bypass the class.
CLEP https://clep.collegeboard.org/
DSST https://getcollegecredit.com/
I can relate to your concern greatly. If you are anything like me, when a paper or test is due, you are the most productive at literally anything else. I got bored easily so I fought through procrastination by hitting the assignments as soon as they were posted. While I do my best work under a time crunch, I find the anxiety falls off if you attack your assignments like they owe you money. After a few classes, you will find that you become antsy if the rubric is not posted on time. I got annoyed with how long the classes took and found myself getting bored and impatient. It took me 13 years to complete my BA degree as I changed schools and majors like 4 times.
Now my Masters was a different story. I completed a 2 year program in 9 months, and that was taking some time off. I discovered a college called Western Governors University (WGU). It was self paced (I know that seems bad but stay with me). Their rule is that you must get 3 classes done in 6 months, but you can take as long as you want to do it. If you finish early you can take more classes. Its competency based so take a test/write a paper and move on to the next course. Course material is written but also can be listened to like an audio book. If the teacher thinks you haven't mastered the material, they will make you revise the paper or retake the test. The faster you take the classes the cheaper it is, as they charge you for 6 month periods, not per class. I am not a recruiter, I am not being paid to endorse this school. I just find it works well for people like us.
WGU Review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeCVuwCetZw
Speed running your degree https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68eGtCVAbTU
Additionally, don’t waste your time taking a class you can test out of. Most Gen Ed classes has several tests you can take to bypass the class.
CLEP https://clep.collegeboard.org/
DSST https://getcollegecredit.com/