Preparation for College Students with ADHD to Find Priorities

Priority setting is often the reason I am hired to help someone. It is something I can help someone figure out for her/himself with coaching. I don’t have a “one size fits all” set of priorities that everyone should live by. Priorities are personal. Through awareness about ourselves and then action and more awareness priorities often reveal themselves. For those in college, it is often getting good grades but knowing that isn’t the problem. The problem is doing what needs to be done. For people who have ADHD, they often know what to do; it is the doing that is the actual problem. Here is some information to consider:

For many, medication is an important part of treatment for their ADHD.

• Before arriving at college students should know what medication you a currently taking and the dosage, how to make an appointment and how to reorder their medication.
• The dosage from high school may need to be altered for your new schedule in college. If you are far from home you may need to find a local doctor to prescribe medication near your school. Go to the health care or mental health care center on your campus to find out your options. There may be someone on campus who can write those prescriptions but often only with a recent ADHD evaluation. You may need to see a doctor in the community to obtain your prescriptions. If this is the case you will need a copy of your insurance card.
• Set up a reminder system to reorder medication in advance of running out.
• Lock up your medications in a lock box so they are not misused or stolen by others. Do not share them even with friends. It is a crime.

Support is an important part of being successful in college.

• If you need academic support go to your tutoring center, or directly to the professor or TA during office hours. If you needed tutoring in high school you are going to need it in college. The work is more challenging and your professors aren’t going to tell you when to do it or give you time in class.
• If you need therapy or counseling for emotional support go to your mental health care center on campus. If you were receiving therapy in high school it should continue in college for a while at least. Some therapist have software to do it virtually but some don’t so make a plan with your therapist. You may need to see a therapist on campus. If you develop anxiety or become depressed go immediately to the mental health care center on campus.  
• If you need transitional support, help with time management, or other related support, find out if your college has a referral for an ADHD coach. An ADHD coach can partner with you to find a life that fits you, can add some accountability and so much more.

Technology can be supportive if you are using the right apps and tools.

• LiveScribe is a great way to take notes, record classes and organization notes and thoughts.
• Use timers for study periods and breaks. Use alarms to remind you to do specific actions.
• Explore other apps that can be useful tools and not distractions.

Before priorities can be found, college students with ADHD need to take care of these self-care  issues so that they have the support and tools to be successful.