Written by Rosie Elvin, Coaching, Workplace Training
Rosie is a senior lecturer in interior architecture and design and founder of 'ADHD Focus', a business which specialises in talks raising awareness about ADHD, coaching and creating e books and video courses, for students, parents and individuals with ADHD.
University students with ADHD may have been diagnosed during their school years, or they may remain undiagnosed until they reach higher education. When they arrive at university, their ADHD symptoms can become more pronounced. However, university can also be an excellent environment for students with ADHD to thrive, due to its flexibility, focus on a particular subject, and the excitement of new learning experiences. Thriving in a new environment, meeting new people, and exploring new subjects can be highly stimulating and enjoyable for these students. ADHD’ers love learning new things!
In the UK, 17.3% of students have a disability, but only 29% of them claim disability allowance. Specific data on university students with ADHD is not recorded, though it is suggested that their numbers are higher than in the general population. A study by 'Unite Students' estimates that one in seven university students has ADHD.
Students with ADHD often encounter challenges with exams, yet many manage to navigate these difficulties effectively. This is particularly evident among those studying design-based subjects, who may have chosen alternative pathways like the UK BTECs or foundation courses, which emphasized coursework over exams.
When a student is diagnosed or screened for ADHD at university, support is typically available. However, the experience of attending university differs significantly from that of school. Parents and careers do not have the same level of interaction as communication is primarily between students and institutions. If a student struggles to adapt to their new environment and their ADHD symptoms become more apparent and exacerbated, it can be a distressing time for both students and their parents.
Understanding ADHD
ADHD is characterized by symptoms in three main areas: inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. While everyone might display these behaviors occasionally, individuals with ADHD experience them more intensely and persistently, which significantly disrupts daily life.
Research indicates that ADHD is linked to differences in how the brain's neurotransmitters function, particularly dopamine. Dopamine plays a crucial role in regulating attention, motivation, and reward. In people with ADHD, dopamine levels are often out of balance, making it difficult to maintain focus and motivation. One natural way to boost dopamine levels is through exercise, which can help manage these challenges effectively, Daniel Preiato discusses this in his article ‘Exploring the Link Between ADHD and Exercise’
University and ADHD
The symptoms of ADHD can become exasperated in a university setting. If there are issues with inattention, this can present as difficulty paying attention during lectures and seminars, which can cause a lot of distress if content is missed. Avoidance of attending lectures could also be an issue, and often, students with ADHD have poor attendance because of a lack of awareness around ADHD and difficulties with managing time.
If neurodivergent students have been diagnosed at a young age, they may have been able to prepare for the transition to university and use developed coping and thriving strategies. For those who are only just finding out that they may be neurodivergent, things can be challenging.
A third-year university student discussed some challenges she was having with me, if I hadn’t been equipped with knowledge about dyslexia, I would have given her different advice. She said -
“After spending years dismissing my struggle of processing information in written and verbal form, thinking what I was experiencing was common, it wasn’t until speaking with my personal tutor that I was made aware that I could have dyslexia.
After assessment, I was diagnosed with processing dyslexia, which gave me relief that I could put a cause to my struggles. My personal tutor put me in contact with other students who had similar issues as me, where I got advice and tips on how to improve the way I process tasks/readings.”
With ADHD, there can be additional issues with sleep, personal hygiene, managing time, assessment deadlines, and social issues. Unfortunately, university students who remain undiagnosed with a neurodevelopmental difference often receive diagnoses like depression or anxiety in school, unaware that these may stem from undetected neurodiversity. By providing coping strategies and education on neurodiversity, students can thrive and implement strategies to alleviate mental health challenges or general struggles.
This can certainly be balanced by students who thrive when they reach the university level; everyone is different, and everyone’s experience of ADHD and neurodiversity is different. Parents or careers can ask their children what support is available at the university; this information is usually found in the well-being departments. Universities often assist neurodivergent students through various support services, including those funded by the Disabled Students Allowance (DSA).
I understand that filling out forms can be challenging for some, especially for students with dyslexia and other neurodivergent individuals. To assist with this, I offer a free body doubling service (Body doubling refers to doing a task in the presence of another person) to support anyone with DSA forms and other paperwork. Please get in touch if you need this service
Addiction and ADHD
There is a strong link between ADHD and addiction, this can come in many different forms from gambling, social media, alcohol, or drugs for example. Often, university social events revolve around alcohol, creating numerous temptations and pressures. For individuals with ADHD, who may experience impulsivity, the University environment can potentially lead to an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. If this extends beyond social drinking and negatively impacts your child's well-being, addressing it can be challenging. However, understanding the connection between ADHD and alcohol use is helpful. You can then guide your child towards available resources for support.
Time management and ADHD
For some individuals with ADHD, time can be a difficult concept to grasp! Time issues can come in different forms, it doesn’t always have to do with being late, although this is quite common for people with ADHD and other diverse neurological profiles. Time management issues may manifest as difficulties in prioritizing tasks or hyper-focusing on a single task, losing track of time, and spending excessive hours on it, which can be detrimental to one's health.
Being late can lead to embarrassment by being publicly shamed, and if this has happened a lot, it may also lead students not to turn up altogether. For managing time, preparation is key, here are five tips on how to manage time effectively:
Use visual aids and reminders: Visual schedules and reminders can help individuals with ADHD stay organized and aware of deadlines.
Break tasks into smaller steps: Breaking down assignments or tasks into smaller, manageable parts can make them less overwhelming and easier to complete.
Set clear goals and priorities: Creating specific goals and prioritizing tasks can provide focus and direction in daily activities.
Use timers and structured breaks: Setting timers for work periods and incorporating structured breaks can maintain productivity and prevent burnout.
Establish consistent routines: Establishing routines and sticking to them can provide stability and predictability, which can be beneficial for managing time effectively.
Time management can also relate to difficulty in completing assignments and projects on time. I was very familiar with the ‘all-nighter’ by the time I left university and within the subject and practice of architecture, it can be common practice. But just because it’s common, doesn’t mean that it’s healthy, it’s a sign of poor time management. Although there may be some all-nighters at university, and often people with ADHD thrive when there’s a deadline and do their best work in the last 24 hours, it’s better to be prepared as working through the night can have an impact on all other areas, sleep, nutrition, mental health, etc. London Metropolitan University has developed a survival guide for all-nighters
During her second year of studying Interior Architecture at university, Rebecca Sudden started to investigate ADHD as a possibility for some of her symptoms relating to time management. She said – “It wasn't until I started my bachelor's degree that I started to understand that the methods of studying I was taught previously did not work for everyone and made me feel like I was rather stupid. Only at university, with my tutor's help and support, I realized my unique approach to work is connected to my ‘quirks’ and individuality. There is no right or wrong method of studying as long as it works. It has been an informative journey focusing on how I could change the way I deal with schedules and time management, stress, and academic skills such as writing and learning new software
What are the benefits of good sleep for ADHD?
Professor Caroline Horton, Bishop Grosseteste University, discusses the issues with not gaining enough sleep “Sleeping insufficiently or obtaining poor quality sleep (which is characterized by interruptions or being unable to obtain sufficiently deep sleep) leads to a huge range of negative impacts on both our physical and our mental health in both the short and long term.”
Good sleep is crucial for everyone, especially students, though it can be challenging for those with ADHD. Caroline’s suggestions for improved sleep quality include – monitoring sleep, getting ‘sleep ready’ and creating a sleepy environment. Caroline discusses this in length in my free E-Book, which supports ADHD management and contains information from experts on nutrition, exercise, movement, mental health and more.
How to support your child with ADHD moving into university
As your child prepares to enter university, it's essential to provide supportive guidance to help them navigate this new chapter successfully. Encourage open communication about their ADHD challenges and strengths, helping them understand their unique learning style and advocating for necessary accommodations. Assist them in developing effective time management and organizational skills, such as using planners or digital tools to track assignments and deadlines. Emphasize the importance of self-care and stress management techniques and encourage them to utilize campus resources like counselling services or ADHD support groups. Stay engaged and supportive, offering encouragement and understanding as they adjust to the increased academic demands and responsibilities of university life.
For parents who would like to learn more about ADHD and how they can support their children at university, please see the online course developed by ADHD Focus
Read more from Rosie Elvin
Rosie Elvin, Coaching, Workplace Training
Rosie is dedicated to razing awareness and supporting individuals with ADHD across various sectors. She also conducts talks and workshops for university staff equipping them with essential tools to support students and staff with ADHD. Additionally, Rosie offers online courses to parents and careers to empower them to provide effective support to students with ADHD during their university experience. Rosie emphasizes that ADHD doesn't define a person and believes in empowering individuals to achieve success. As an ADHD coach, she provides insights and identifies resources to help individuals thrive.
