Studying with ADHD is a whole different ball game – although honestly until my diagnosis I thought it was like this for everyone. Traditional methods like long, uninterrupted reading or staring at textbooks for hours? Complete flop for me. But over time, I’ve found a set of hacks that actually stick and help me survive studying nursing while juggling toddlers, placements and general life.
Here’s what works for me.
1. Short, intense study blocks
Forget marathon sessions. I work best in short bursts, 20–30 minutes at a time, which keeps my focus sharp and prevents my brain from wandering. When Miles and Lara are at nursery, or right after uni, I grab these small windows to get stuff done. Unless I’ve gone into hyperfocus mode; that’s a whole other post but ADHDers you’ll understand this one.
2. Group studying / talking it out
Nothing beats explaining your ideas out loud. Group study has saved me more times than I can count. Talking through thoughts with classmates not only helps me understand material better but also keeps me accountable and gives me a different perspective on subjects.
3. Headphones and music
If I’m in a busy library or a campus coffee shop, music is a must. Headphones on, world out! Without it, I get lost in people-watching and chaos around me. Bonus: it doubles as a little “brain fidget” control.
4. Fidgeting is allowed
I fidget constantly by twirling my hair, twisting rings or playing with my necklace, and that’s okay. My ADHD brain needs stimulation to focus during lectures and seminars. Accepting it makes a huge difference.
5. iPads + smart note-taking
We’re lucky to have iPads for our studies. I download the slides and make typed/handwritten notes alongside each slide in OneNote. Adding diagrams with my knock-off Apple Pencil (TikTok find, highly recommend!) helps me physically draw out ideas and makes the learning stick.
6. Racing against a timer
Setting a timer adds a bit of pressure and keeps me on track. It’s amazing how much focus a ticking clock can give you when your brain wants to wander.
7. Body doubling
Sometimes I need a buddy. Meeting a friend at a coffee shop to study or tackle assignments together works wonders. We talk through ideas out loud, keep each other accountable, and it’s less lonely than staring at slides alone.
8. Speak out loud
Talking through your thoughts is great, but beware the public side effect. I often find myself explaining concepts out loud and look a little “mad” in public, but hey, it works for learning!
9. Timing is everything
I make the most of flexible moments: right after uni, during nursery hours, or even a short nap break. ADHD brains thrive on routine paired with flexible bursts of productivity.
10. Apps and tools (to explore)
I haven’t used many yet, but there are some amazing apps for focus and organization:
- Forest – gamifies staying off your phone.
- Notion / OneNote – keeps notes organized in one place.
- Todoist / Trello – breaks assignments into smaller, actionable tasks.
Studying with ADHD isn’t about forcing yourself into traditional methods, it’s about experimenting, finding what clicks, and leaning into your quirks. My hacks are real, messy, and very much trial-and-error.
I’d love to hear from you: what ADHD-friendly study hacks actually work for you? Drop them in the comments!
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