10 Tips for College Students With ADHD

Tips for College Students With ADHD

The following tips may be helpful to those adults who are college students with ADHD.

  1. Ask for help when you need it. Don't be afraid to get support. Many schools offer resources to help students with ADHD. Check out your school's disability support program to see what is available. Accommodations can vary and so can the names of the programs. The office may be called RDS—Resources for Disabled Students. It may also be referred to as Office of Student Disability Services, Student Support Services, Services to Students with Disabilities, or Disability Services Office.
  2. Technology can help. Time Management is important in college. Fortunately, there are a number of computer and portable electronic programs and devices, which may help you organize your schedule and keep track of classes, assignments, projects and grades. Electronic reminders can also come in handy in college.
  3. Discover your learning style. Studying in a way that comes naturally to you may benefit you in college. For instance, some students are auditory learners. This means you learn best when you hear material. For auditory learners, recorded lectures may help. Other students are visual learners—you might remember best what you see. Highlighting key words or phrases helps visual learners with memorizing material. Others may learn by a hands-on approach. It's important to find what works best for you.
  4. Common accommodations that may make it easier for you to study, take notes, and do other tasks in college can include early registration, waived/modified placement exams, using (free) note-takers in class, free tutoring, additional time on assignments or tests, and extra time with professors. Accommodations vary from school to school and student to student. Check with your Student Disability Support office to find out what services are available at your school.
  5. Check out professors before signing up for classes. A Web site like www.ratemyprofessors.com may help you decide if a professor matches your needs. Professors can vary in their acceptance and understanding of ADHD. The staff at your support services provider may also be helpful in this course selection process and identifying professors who have worked well with students with ADHD in the past.
  6. A class syllabus is essential. A syllabus will have information on schedules, assignments, and due dates for a particular class. Think of the syllabus as the ultimate guide to your class. The syllabus is usually handed out on the first day of class and may be posted online. You will be responsible for the information in the syllabus and any changes the professor makes to it. It helps to capture the important dates from the syllabus and put them in a planner to keep track of your schedule.
  7. Carry a 3-hole punch with you. Get one that is small enough to bring to class or fits into your notebook and use it with a 3-ring binder. That way when you're given papers you can file them immediately. Resist the urge to do it later; that is often how papers get lost. Practicing this tip can help with organization.
  8. Divide and conquer. Divide reading assignments into small chunks. The more difficult the reading material, the more time you might need to devote to it. Determine what you can read in one study session then divide the material into manageable reading periods.
  9. New homes. Identify new homes for your important items. Find specific places for room keys, your wallet or pocketbook and cell phone in your new living space. You might even want to mark the new homes to help you remember.
  10. Set daily and weekly goals. Try to plan and record daily and weekly goals for studying and working on assignments, for studying and working on projects. Consider breaking down projects or assignments into smaller, more manageable chunks and including these on your schedule to get things done.

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Indication

Vyvanse is a prescription medicine for the treatment of ADHD in children ages 6 to 17 and adults. Vyvanse should be used as part of a total treatment program that may include counseling or other therapies.

Important Safety Information

Vyvanse is a federally controlled substance (CII) because it can be abused or lead to dependence. Keep in safe place to prevent misuse and abuse. Selling or giving away Vyvanse may harm others, and is illegal. Vyvanse is a stimulant. Misuse of stimulants may cause sudden death and serious heart problems.

  • Vyvanse should not be taken by patients who have:

Heart disease or hardening of the arteries, moderate to severe high blood pressure, overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), glaucoma, agitated states, a history of drug abuse, taken an anti-depression medicine called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the last 14 days, or sensitivity to, are allergic to, or had a reaction to other stimulant medicines.

  • Vyvanse is a stimulant medicine. The following have been reported with use of stimulant medicines.

Heart-related problems: sudden death in patients who have heart problems or heart defects stroke and heart attack in adults increased blood pressure and heart rate Tell your doctor if you or your child have any heart problems, heart defects, high blood pressure, or a family history of these problems. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have any signs of heart problems such as chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting while taking Vyvanse.

Mental (Psychiatric) problems: All Patients new or worse behavior and thought problems new or worse bipolar illness new or worse aggressive behavior or hostility Children and Teenagers new psychotic symptoms (such as hearing voices, believing things that are not true, are suspicious) or new manic symptoms Tell your doctor about any mental problems you or your child have, or about a family history of suicide, bipolar illness, or depression. Call your doctor right away if you or your child have any new or worsening mental symptoms or problems while taking Vyvanse, especially seeing or hearing things that are not real, believing things that are not real, or are suspicious.

  • Serious side effects have been reported with use of stimulant medicines such as Vyvanse, including:
    • seizures, mainly in patients with a history of seizures
    • eyesight changes or blurred vision
    • motion and verbal tics. Patients with tics or Tourette's syndrome may experience a worsening of symptoms while taking Vyvanse.
    • slowing of growth. Your child should have his or her height and weight checked often while taking Vyvanse. The doctor may stop treatment if a problem is found during these check-ups.
  • The most common side effects reported in studies of Vyvanse were:
    • upper belly pain
    • nausea
    • dry mouth
    • dizziness
    • weight loss
    • trouble sleeping
    • irritability
    • decreased appetite
    • vomiting

This is not a complete summary of safety information. For additional safety information, please click here for Full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide, including Warning about Potential for Abuse, and discuss with your doctor.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA.
Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088.