An Inattentive ADHD uni students guide to exam prep.
Make lists, figure out what exams are happening when and how much study you need to do for each topic to cover the relevant material. Set reminders for studying, eating, grocery shopping, cooking, taking your meds. Keep to a schedule itâll reduce the panic.
I cannot stress this enough, so Iâm going to put it in capitals GET ENOUGH SLEEP! Sleep schedules people, start rearranging your schedule so you can be functional at 8am. However, if you have insomnia, look into getting your exams rearranged so itâs within your awake hours. Generally this can be accomplished by going to a counsellor or psychologist and contacting the school.
Making lists and organising yourself is one thing but, knowing that our brains are going to want to screw with that is something to plan for. I use a reward system. Iâll arrange for a friend to come over and study with me and Iâll set myself a study goal to achieve before they get to mine. Sometimes I will have to do a lot of reading so I get myself some candy and will have a gummy bear once I finish a chapter.Â
4. Remember that your life is not study
As much as study is important. Remember that youâre a human and youâre likely not going to gain anything by not bathing or eating properly or ignoring your partner. Try and take an hour out everyday to let yourself off the hook and do something fun and relaxing.Â
Yah, I know⌠Itâs the last thing I want to do but, seriously, try and do a bit every now and then. Stretching out after an hours worth of study will suffice for awhileâŚ
6. Donât caffeinate too muchÂ
Caffeine actually does nothing for an ADHD brain. If you want to focus try and up the protein in your diet. Itâs our secret focus food. If you want a dopamine rush i.e. get happy, have some carbs.
7. Donât let panic put you in auto modeÂ
Auto mode, or as I call it procrastination/avoidance/failure mode is the worst. Panicking about exams is totally normal. Itâs nerve wracking, donât let it put you in a position to fail. You got this!
8. Make alternate exam arrangements  Â
My uni makes us do our exams in a massive sports hall with hundreds of other people. Which is HELL for someone with Inattentive ADHD. I have alternate arrangements now which puts me in a smaller room with one or two other people tops. It makes an amazing difference!
In order to not panic/procrastinate knowing what youâre getting into is key. Try and do a couple of practice exams with a friend or something and get them to mark it for you. Itâll calm your brain, trust me.Â
Go and talk to your professors. Ask pointed questions about the exam. Try and have a practice exam completed before you go and see them and ask them to have a look over it. If youâve done your study you should have a ton of questions and itâll just help you to chill out closer to the exams.Â
