ADHD and University: Tips for Starting your First Year

University can be a challenging life transition for anyone. But for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), the prospect of such a big change can be especially daunting.

Learning to live independently, make new friends and adjust to a more self-directed style of learning can feel overwhelming when paired with the difficulties of managing focus and organisation.

If you or your child have ADHD and are considering university, don’t let this put you off. With the right preparation and support, university can become an exciting and fulfilling new life chapter.

Whether you’re navigating ADHD yourself or want to support someone who is, Dr Lisa Williams shares her tips for approaching the first year of university feeling confident and prepared.

How ADHD can affect academic performance at university

For many people with ADHD, traditional educational environments can feel overwhelming and alienating.

Universities and other higher education institutions often adopt a one-size-fits-all approach to learning, overlooking alternative styles that many neurodiverse students rely on.

This can be distinctly challenging for students with co-occurring dyslexia, which affects an estimated 25-40% of people diagnosed with ADHD.

Below, we look at some of the ways ADHD can influence academic performance at university:

Executive dysfunction

University life requires constant use of executive functioning skills – the mental processes that enable people to plan, remember, focus and control impulses.

People with ADHD often experience difficulties in these areas, which can lead to being late, missing deadlines or forgetting things – all of which can provide challenges and affect grades when studying autonomously at university.

These difficulties aren’t a reflection of laziness or lack of ability, but rather a difference in how the ADHD brain processes information.

Overstimulation

Unlike school classrooms, university lectures often take place in larger spaces, like auditoriums, with bigger student cohorts and fewer behavioural restrictions.

These environments lend themselves to intense background stimuli, such as typing, eating, phone alerts and talking. For students with ADHD, this sensory overload can make it hard to focus and retain information.

Key challenges you might face at university with ADHD

Beyond academic performance, there are several other aspects of university life that people with ADHD might find trickier than most.

Many of these challenges stem from the increased independence that university demands, where students are expected to take full responsibility for their studies, daily routines and schedule.

Seemingly small tasks, like remembering to set an alarm, doing laundry or arriving to classes on time can become persistent struggles.

Managing a busy timetable and independent study largely relies on executive functioning skills, which can often prove difficult for those with ADHD.

Outside of learning, ADHD-related impulsivity and difficulty reading social cues can make it harder to build relationships with other students.

Tips for overcoming challenges at university

While university brings numerous academic and personal obstacles, finding the right resources and support can help you overcome them and thrive throughout your studies.

Here, we explore some common ways to make the university experience smoother for people with ADHD:

Time management

Managing time with ADHD isn’t easy. But using tools like digital calendars, to visually organise plans and to-do lists, can make it easier to keep track of your schedule.

Breaking tasks down into more manageable steps also helps. For example, completing a smaller task in one sitting reduces the likelihood of task-switching – letting you check off more items, which can help with productivity and motivation.

Find your study style

Everyone learns differently. And this is especially true for neurodiverse people.

So, it’s important to find which study styles work best for you, rather than forcing yourself to struggle with comprehension and revision techniques that work for other people.

Some alternative learning styles to try might include:

• Visual learning: Use colour-coded notes, watch videos or create brainstorms, infographics or flashcards.
• Active learning: Try teaching the material to someone else, role-playing scenarios, using physical objects to represent ideas or moving your body while studying.
• Repetitive learning: Break revision sessions into short, frequent sessions. If possible, record lectures so you can watch them back at your own pace.

It’s also important to curate an organised, productive and clutter-free study environment. If you do feel yourself focus fading, try switching locations to a café or library to mentally reset.

Peer support

University is full of diverse people, so you don’t have to face challenges alone.

Connecting with others who share similar experiences to you can offer valuable support and a sense of community.

This can not only help you enjoy a more rewarding social experience but might also help with sharing study and revision tips.

Medication

While there’s no cure for ADHD, medication can help with managing your symptoms, helping to maintain focus and reduce impulsivity.

There are different types of ADHD medication, but these must always be prescribed by a doctor following a formal diagnosis or assessment.

Consult your GP to see if ADHD medication is the right approach for you.

What support do universities offer for students with ADHD?

ADHD is recognised by law as a mental health disability, meaning that anyone with a formal diagnosis has the right to seek extra support at university.

Every university offers its own range of resources, usually outlined on their website or through the student union. Some institutions provide more comprehensive accessibility services than others.

You can use tools like Uniselect to shortlist universities that cater to your individual needs, such as those with extensive wellbeing services.

Alternatively, you can research universities individually to see whether they offer the types of support you’re looking for.

 Common types of university resources for students with ADHD

While your university might not be able to cater to all your individual needs, they may be able to provide some targeted support, such as:

• Academic aid: This includes one-to-one mentor support and tutoring on how to tackle time management and exam skills.
• Personal development: Most universities offer counselling services and might allow extended use of their career services after graduation.
• Social networking: Some student unions host accessible events or run societies for neurodivergent students to connect.
• Financial support: You might be eligible for the government’s disabled student’s allowance (DSA). If so, you’ll receive a grant to provide funding for specialist equipment, software and other disability-related support.

It’s recommended to have early communication with the university ahead of your first semester, to make sure support is in place before your course begins. This way you can feel confident from day one, without worrying about potentially falling behind.

What reasonable adjustments can you request?

If you’d like to request more formal support, or some reasonable adjustments to help with your university experience, you might need to meet with a disability advisor.

They’ll be able to put a personalised support plan in place, which may include:

• Extra time: This might include additional time for exams or coursework deadline extensions.
• Separate exam rooms: A quieter room with minimal distractions during exams to aid concentration.
• Fidget toys: Fidget toys or stress balls can reduce restlessness.

Specialist equipment: Access to resources like noise-cancelling headphones, assistive software and computers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can universities diagnose ADHD?

No, universities cannot diagnose ADHD or any neurodiverse condition.

They can only advise you or refer you to the NHS or a private clinician, like those available with The Autism Service.

Once, you’ve received a formal diagnosis, you can request additional support from your university to help with your unique challenges.

Do students with ADHD get extra time in exams?

Yes, students with ADHD are often eligible for extra time in exams.

To qualify, you’ll likely need to provide proof of an official ADHD diagnosis. However, having a diagnosis doesn’t guarantee extra time.

Many universities first require a meeting with a disability advisor to discuss how ADHD affects your learning and to discuss if this adjustment is necessary.