If you have ADHD, this might affect your work and ability to stay focused for longer periods of time, making the revision and exam period a tough time. Our Student Support Team have some top tips to make the revision and exam period a little easier for you.
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1. Don’t sit in silence
A lot of revision advice will tell you to find a calm, peaceful environment, and study without the distraction of music or the TV. If you have ADHD, you might benefit from doing the exact opposite.
Having music or a TV show playing in the background while you work can actually help you focus, as it stops your mind wandering and thinking about other things.
2. Mix up your revision technique
To make revision a little more interesting, try a range of different study methods. Spending an hour on the blurting method and the next hour using a study app can keep your mind occupied and engaged.
Check out our favourite study techniques and try a few of them out.
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3. Avoid distractions
Everyone struggles putting their phone down and focusing on their work but if you find that your phone is constantly luring you in, install an app that will reward you for not going on your phone for set periods of time. One of our favourites is called ‘Forest’, the longer you avoid your phone, the bigger your forest grows.
Alternatively, try the Pomodoro technique. The Pomodoro method helps to break your revision session down into manageable chunks.
For example, if you have 2 hours to revise, break this into four 25-minute sessions with 5-minute breaks between each session.
The breaks will give you something to look forward to and get you through 25 minutes of focusing on revision.
4. Take breaks
If something is pulling your attention away from your work, take a proper break. For example, if you want to watch a video, move away from your workstation, and sit down for 5 minutes to relax and watch the video.
Taking a break will satisfy the part of your brain telling you to do something other than your revision, but, it might be good to set a timer. Setting a timer that signals the end of your break will remind you to go back to your revision, instead of getting side-lined by something else.
5. Reward yourself
Making a list and ticking things off at the end of the day is really rewarding and will help you keep track of your progress. It will help you see that even if you did get distracted during your revision session, you still achieved something and managed to tick it off your to-do list!
If you join BCU, our Student Support Team will work with you to get the support you need. This may include particular exam arrangements, extra time for assignments and other adjustments that can help you during your time at university. Find out about the support available to those with Specific Learning Disabilities.
