Back to School: Embrace you ADHD!

September is here. For a lot of neurodivergent folks, that means back to school. That also means a lot of newness and a whole lot to figure out, including but not limited to schedules, expectations, classmates, and, inevitably, an abundance of executive functioning. 

Instead of starting the school year determined to become an entirely different kind of human (trust me, I’ve been there), here are a few ways to make school work a little better for the student that you are, and the brain that you have. 

Confront Some of the Unknowns Beforehand

Before classes start, scope out your classrooms and your routes to class. Figure out how long it takes to get from Point A to Point B. Go get a sense of the classroom layout. Find somewhere relatively quiet you can go in between classes if you need it. Try to get ahead of some of the things your brain would otherwise have to figure out on the fly. 

Find a System That Works For You

Organization can make a huge difference for neurodivergent brains, and there’s no single, correct way to do it. The scheduling system that works for you might be paper or digital, simple or elaborate, colourful, gamified… experiment until you find something you’ll actually use. Starting class already knowing that you have a scheduling system in place that works for you is one major task off your plate. And if the beautiful planner you bought at the beginning of September is abandoned by October? No stress. Try something else. These systems are supposed to work for you, not the other way around. If it worked for one month, that is still a win!

Plan For All Your Capacity Levels

A lot of neurodivergent folks struggle with shame around fluctuations in energy and capacity for executive functioning. Some days you’ll fly through the work, and other days even getting out of bed can feel hard. Both days exist, and that’s ok. Instead of building your semester around what you can accomplish on your best days, consider separate game plans for high- and low- capacity days. 

What can you take advantage of when the hyperfocus hits? What can be postponed when your capacity is low? Plan so that you can lean into the focus when it’s there, and lean into the rest when you need it. 

Don’t Go It Alone

Many neurodivergent people are motivated by having other people in proximity. Body doubling can mean studying with a friend, joining a study group, or just having someone sit nearby doing their own thing while you read or work. 

It’s also important to check in with your broader support system, too. This could mean friends, family, a therapist, an academic advisor, or trusted professors. What’s important is not to wait until things start to feel like they’re slipping before asking for support. 

Schedule Your Rest 

Plan your downtime. And I mean actually plan it. Rest can so easily become the thing you do only after everything else is finished. But during a busy semester, “everything else” is almost never finished. Choose your downtime so your body doesn’t choose for you. 

Finally, listen to your body and mind. Pay attention to what you’re good at. Maybe your writing is stronger than your testing skills. Maybe listening works better than reading, or you learn better in a discussion than in a lecture. Notice the environments, formats, and strategies that make things easier for you, and use that information. 

You don't need to become a perfect student this semester, and certainly not someone else's idea of a perfect student. I wish you the best this school year! Follow along for more neurospicy tips and life hacks. 

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