How to Prepare for the New School Year with ADHD

Michael Kang • June 20, 2021

With the new start of the school year, this is an exciting time for many students. It is a time to see friends after a long summer, it’s a time to make new friends, create new goals, and start a new academic year with a clean slate. For students who suffer from ADHD however, the start of a new school year can be filled with anxiety and dread.

According to a study published in 2021 in the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, students with ADHD are more likely to suffer from mental health challenges such as depression, anxiety, low self-esteem, and academic stress compared to peers who do not have ADHD.

Here are some ways students with ADHD can find academic success:

Develop good routines
Night time routines
Aiming to get 8 hours of sleep per night by going to sleep at a reasonable time, and waking up early in the morning
Taking a warm shower or bath
Removing distractions and limiting screen time
Meditation and journaling to reflect on the day
Making a checklist of things to do the next day
Morning routines
Waking up early to give yourself time to prepare for the day
Exercise
Eating a full breakfast
Reviewing the checklist of things that need to be completed for the day
Timing of medication
Consistent timing of medication for peak focus during school and study times
Timed breaks to rest and recharge
Check-in with the school for IEP accommodations and other resources
Having more time for tests
Extensions on assignments and projects
Time management and writing workshops
Peer tutoring or peer mentors
Selecting Courses
Try not to schedule 2 difficult academic courses back-to-back
If possible, attending a semester or quadmester school can help separate the course load
If possible, use spares wisely to give yourself opportunities to rest, and catch up on school work