Most high school students with ADHD have a schedule and routine that is imposed on them. They get up at a certain time, arrive at school at a certain time, go to sports and after school activities at a certain time, and do their homework at a certain time. There are parents, teachers, tutors, and coaches to make sure they stay on track. However, attending college is not like that. To succeed in college, you need to create this structure yourself.
If you haven’t heard already, in college they don’t check on you to see if you got out of bed and attended class. Some of your professors will notice you are not keeping up with your assignments and may even ask you about it, but others will not, except to let you know when you are too far behind to catch up and will likely fail their course.
So how can you avoid these common pitfalls for first semester freshmen with ADHD and not be asked to leave the university?
Here are the TOP THREE PREPARATION TIPS for teens who don’t want to risk falling into the failure gap.
1. GET HELP TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE
You will likely need help at some point and maybe even more often than you think. Remember this first semester is where you learn how to successfully do college. Or not!
- Sign up with the campus student support services.
- Identify yourself as a 504 student so you have accommodations there if you need them.
- Look into peer tutoring or special guidance for writing or math support.
2. PLAN AHEAD
If you want to succeed in college, you need to plan ahead for the kind of student you will be before you get caught up in campus social life.
- Find the best places to work that are less distracting than your dorm.
- Do most of your studying and assignments between classes so you’re free in the evening.
- SAY NO to the concert or party when you have a big test or project due tomorrow.
3. STAY CURRENT WITH YOUR ASSIGNMENTS TO SUCCEED IN COLLEGE
Getting too far behind to catch up is the KISS OF DEATH in college. Don’t do it. There is nothing worse than getting kicked out of college for foolish reasons. The school wants you to succeed and will support you if you play the part of a responsible student.
Will ADHD Affect Your or Your Teen’s College Success?
College is a completely different world from High School. The level of stress is higher and the level of support can be lower. How well you or your teen manages ADHD symptoms and behaviors in this new environment can lead to college success, struggle, or failure. Take the ADHD and College Success Quiz to find out whether your or your teen’s ADHD management is at the level it needs to be to reach college success goals.
