I was diagnosed with ADHD when I was about 8 years old and have been taking medication ever since. Needless to say, I still have ADHD symptoms, just less than I would if I was unmedicated.

After being almost complete with my second semester of college I have a little bit of insight into ways to keep your college life organized even if you struggle with ADHD!

I’m here today to give you my top five tips on how I survived college so far and have stayed organized, you can even use these tips during the summer!

1. Planner

This might seem like a really simple one, but most people don’t utilize this! My favorite planner is the Passion Planner. I love this planner not only because of the inspirational aspect of it but also the fact that you can plan out each hour of your day, helping you stay on track and not spend too much time on just one task. Next semester, I plan on purchasing a Plum Paper Academic Planner. I have heard of this brand of planners before but did not become interested until a friend told me about it, you can customize it and even have the name of each class you take printed each week!

2. Timers

I have five alarms set to make sure I get up in the morning, one at 5:55 to take my meds, one at 6:30 to start waking up, one at 7:00 to remind myself to get up one at 8:00 to know I have around an hour to leave, and one at 8:30 to know I have an hour. I also use Tomato Timer to time how long I study for and make use I take a break. It’s a 25 minute timer that sets a 5 minute timer at the end for a break. (try one here )

3. Study Alone

Of course, this does not work for everyone it definitely works for me. Unless I’m studying for an exam, I prefer studying alone. Most of the time, someone is going to distract someone, you are either the distracted or the distractee. For me, I even get distracted if someone one I’m studying with even just gets on their phone. Also to concentrate while studying, I listen to classical music and it actually really seems to help me.

4. Make Detailed Check Lists

I make checklists in both my phone and on paper. On my phone, I use both the reminders app that’s already on my iPhone and an app called TickTick. When using the paper, I set it close to where I’m going to be most of the day, like my desk, and put it in my planner when I’m headed somewhere. When making my list, I don’t write things like “Clean Room” I write “Wipe Down Desk, Pick Up Floor, Vacuum”. I do this so I know everything I have to get done.
5. Know Your Symptoms Of ADHD And How To Control Them

Do you ever get called crazy, reckless, or unorganized? I know I definitely have. My ADHD symptoms have damaged countless relationships because I do not always know how to control my emotions, although I do not use it as an excuse. I know I can act crazy when I get upset, I know I’m not always the best at listening, and I know when I get angry I talk incredibly reckless, yet I never use my ADHD as an excuse. Instead, I will always find me apologizing and saying things like, “I’m sorry I was acting crazy”, “I’m sorry I sad something reckless when I was feeling mad or attacked”, “I’m sorry could you repeat that? I’m not always the best at listening”. I don’t use my disability as an excuse, I use it to find better ways to get things done. Knowing I can get crazy and reckless lead me to try and remain calm as much as possible. In fact, since I have become mindful of my symptoms, I’ve really only acted out once, and it actually happened quite recently. You know what I did? I apologized, apologized, apologized. Did it fix it? Not yet, probably not at all. Did I do everything in my power to fix the situation that my ADHD symptoms caused? Yes, and that’s the best you can ever do. That’s why it is important to know and be able to control your impulses, so you can be the best you. Here are some signs, problems, and symptoms that are really important to learn how to control…

• Trouble Getting Organized
• Reckless Driving and Traffic Accidents
• Marital Trouble
• Extremely Distractible
• Poor Listening Skills
• Restlessness, Trouble Relaxing
• Trouble Starting a Task
• Lateness
• Angry Outbursts

( If you want to know more in-depth about these symptoms, check out 10 Problems That Could Mean Adult ADHD, you can also take the Do I Have ADD quiz here. Although these are helpful tools, this does not necessarily  mean you are ADHD or ADD, visit your doctor if you have legitimate concerns. )

I’m definitely not a doctor, but I do enjoy giving tips for things I deal with! If you liked this post make sure you check out the rest of my blog and my Instagram @corahandley!

Be Happy.