The post is developed in partnership with BetterHelp.
There is more to going to high school than finding killer backpacks and making friends. Going to high school means preparing for college, becoming educated about our world, and learning how to prepare for the future.
Many children and high school students often find this difficult because of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder). Learning more about ADHD and how to manage the effects can help you succeed in school!
Tips for Managing ADHD
When you first notice signs that ADHD is affecting your school life, it will be tempting to just give up and rely solely on medication. However, many tips can help you succeed in school with attention deficit hyperactive disorder.
You can learn more about ADHD with the help of BetterHelp; they provide medically-reviewed articles about various mental health topics:
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/adhd/
Talk to a Trusted Adult
The first thing you can do is talk to a trusted adult. A trusted adult can be many people. It may be a parent, teacher, coach, guidance counselor, or therapist. These individuals understand the hardships of balancing life, school, and mental health. By talking to a trusted adult, they can teach you valuable habits and they can lend a listening ear.
Take Care of Your Body
Another way you can help manage the effects of ADHD is by learning how to take care of your body. For example, exercise can help you feel positive, and it can help you stay focused on various tasks. Exercises release a bodily chemical that can reduce stress and boost your happiness! Not only are you able to focus more, but you will also feel happier! Many individuals with ADHD also rely on meditation to improve their attention span. Meditation helps you slow down and bring awareness to yourself and off your racing mind.
Create Lasting Habits in School
After talking to an adult and implementing healthy habits for your body, consider creating academic habits! For example, request to sit at the front of the class. There are many benefits to sitting at the front of the room. By sitting in the front of the class, you are more likely to pay attention and you could learn more! Another habit you can try is making a study buddy. When you feel unfocused and distracted, you can rely on your friend to fill in the gaps. This also works both ways! If they are ever out of class, you know it is up to you to pay attention.
Write Efficient To-Do Lists
For many individuals with attention deficit hyperactive disorder, a to-do list can feel like an overwhelming chore. Writing all of your required tasks can often make them harder to complete. Instead of writing them all down haphazardly, consider organizing them first. Such as organizing your to-do list from the most important task to the least important task. For example, you may write a science project at the top of your list and wash your car towards the bottom. By doing this, you are more likely to accomplish important tasks. It is also important to not write too many tasks. If you have a lot to do, consider writing down five tasks (most important to least) and once that is accomplished, write down five more.
Give Yourself Some Grace
Above all else, it is important to release that at the end of the day you are still human. This means that there will successes and failures throughout your lifetime. When you can accept that there will be ups and downs, it will be much easier to manage the low points. You can give yourself grace by keeping a gratitude journal or writing encouraging notes to yourself. A gratitude journal can help you remember all the good and positive things around you. You can also write positive affirmations around your home or room. These reminders will help you remember that you are a valuable and loved individual.