Managing college when you’re managing ADHD
College students with ADHD often struggle to balance schoolwork with social life and self-care, but with a thoughtful approach that includes careful time management and a little support from the college resource center, students with ADHD can thrive.
Keira had already been diagnosed with ADHD when she walked into my office. She was entering her sophomore year of college and was searching for a little balance.
She talked about the fun she’d had as a freshman, out on her own for the first time. But she’d also experienced a great deal of stress when it came to keeping up with her schoolwork, studying for exams and getting projects completed on time. Keira wanted to do better in her sophomore year. As she put it, “I want to settle down and focus.”
But she also wanted to play recreational sports and enjoy social life—just not at the expense of her grades. So we came up with a workable plan to help Keira manage her ADHD.
To begin, Keira identified how she was actually spending her time. We chose five areas—1) Academics, 2) Health & Body, 3) Recreation & Social, 4) Life Maintenance, 5) Miscellaneous—then she tallied the number of hours she spent in each area each day. This process gave her clues as to where she could make adjustments.
Next, Keira needed to reach out for a little more help, this time from her college advisor. At first she was reticent to even check into it, but it’s important to know that most colleges have resource centers dedicated to giving students who learn differently the support they need. Once she made that connection at school, she felt much more equipped to manage her schoolwork and her ADHD.
Keira has chosen to continue our sessions twice a month. We discuss her progress and areas in which she feels challenged. She remains flexible to change, because that’s the nature of college life, but she incorporates a schedule to make sure her life runs smoothly.
Most importantly, Keira understands that managing ADHD is much like life itself―a work in progress.
Robin Maier is a licensed clinical social worker who uses a gentle therapeutic approach to guide women in every stage of life toward greater happiness
