ADHD and:

College Corner

Emily Wells, Psy.D.

Readjusting from home to college, and college back to home can be a rocky time of the year. At the beginning of the school semester, end of the school year, and during the summer break, there are lots of changes occurring in the life of a college student. Freshman and Senior alike, this time of life is filled with learning inside the classroom walls as well as outside.

Often, the focus on college students is on choosing a major, academic performance, and intellectual growth. Though, in my opinion, an equal amount, if not more of the learning happens for young adults outside of class. For early college students, you are faced with the challenges of managing your own schedule -- mom or dad is not there to wake you up for class, teachers don’t remind you to hand in assignments, and there’s no one there hounding you about what time to get in bed at the end of the day. For juniors and seniors, you may be living in off-campus housing at this point – paying your own bills, cooking your own meals, and really starting to live like an independent young adult.

These “life skills” are often a challenge for young adults with ADHD, and need attention, just like study habits. When college students encounter difficulty in one of more of these areas, it can be enough to derail the potential academic success of the semester. Some helpful tips for success in school and developing these life management skills are:

• Setting up schedules for class, studying, sleep and even meals is helpful to “map out” your week. Write down the days of the week and your regular recurring time commitments on each day.
• Staying on top of your spending habits –track and monitor your spending by keeping receipts for your purchases and setting up a budget for all of your expenses.
• Eating healthy meals – Stay away from fast food as much as possible; eating a diet with variety will help sustain your energy, concentration and focus for longer periods of time.
• Getting enough sleep – 8 hours a night is recommended.

These are important actions you can take to make transition times more productive, positive and enjoyable. In the past, mom or dad might have seen the stumble before you even tripped. You’re more independent, maybe living away from home, and away from the watchful and protective eyes of family. If you are struggling with “managing life,” ask for help. You are your own best advocate!

For more information about Dr. Wells, please visit her page by clicking this link.

Top | Home | Services | ADHD | About Us | Clinic Info | Appointment | Contact | Privacy Policy

Designed and Developed by flyte new media
email Web Master