Do Well in School with Attention Deficit Disorder

It is possible to do well in school with Attention Deficit Disorder! Learning to manage and control ADD will help you with school, college and life. (Note: If this is too hard to read, copy and paste into word and make the font bigger and double space it.)

Steps

 * 1) Know that the most important aspect of this is practice. Routines are essential to organizing one's work, and managing it efficiently. [[Image:Do Well in School with Attention Deficit Disorder Step 1.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 2)  Get folders (one per each class), one pencil pouch, an agenda, a sturdy, one-pouch bag, and a box that is large enough to hold papers. If you can't get those, improvising works. You can make folders by getting extra large paper, folding them about six inches up across the bottom, and stapling the sides to make a pouch. If your school integrates an online learning tool, use that instead and hand in your assignments digitally so there's no need to worry about losing assignments.  [[Image:Do Well in School with Attention Deficit Disorder Step 2.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 3) * Optional items are a lunch box or two, copies of all the novels read in English.
 * 4)  Make sure when you buy the items that they are something you will look at for the rest of the semester. You need to become attached to these items!  [[Image:Do Well in School with Attention Deficit Disorder Step 3.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 5)  Become attached to your pencil case and agenda. To do so, every day for a week or two bring your pencil pouch. Put more then just pencils in it--put some lip gloss or chap stick, spare change, gum, etc. After a week of diligently bringing your pencil pouch to class every day, you will become used to it, and after a month won't be able to imagine school without it. You'll never need to borrow a pencil again.  [[Image:Do Well in School with Attention Deficit Disorder Step 4.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 6) Force yourself--really force yourself--to open it up and write your homework in after every class. Include a little check box next to it. Checking off those little boxes is fun!  If your school provides an online education syllabus (agenda), use it (only in the scenario that you may forget to write down your assignments).  [[Image:Do Well in School with Attention Deficit Disorder Step 5.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 7)  Take your folders (one per class, so adjust accordingly) and write across each "English", or "Calculus", or "Biology", or whatever your classes may be. Don't use binders! Binders are a hassle, and you'll never open those little clips every day to try to stick something in it, and they take up way more space. With folders, all you do is open it up and stick the paper in. Then put all your papers and notes into each folder. Decorate it if you like.  [[Image:Do Well in School with Attention Deficit Disorder Step 6.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 8) Put all of your folders, agenda and pencil case into your one-pouch backpack. (A book bag works as well.) Too many pouches are confusing and just a way to leave a rotting sandwich in them. With only one place to put all your stuff, you are enabled to keep it organized. [[Image:Do Well in School with Attention Deficit Disorder Step 7.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 9) Try to find out if the school has a free period and  try to get a period towards the end of the day off so you can study. If you get the last period of the day off, you may want to stay at school to not lose your working momentum.  Head to the library and start all your homework. It's easier to work at school because you'll have the school mentality, and will be free of distractions. This goes the same for early release days: If you have a sport that starts much later then school, stay at school and do your homework could be a good option.  [[Image:Do Well in School with Attention Deficit Disorder Step 8.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 10) Understand that with an off period like that, you'll have an average one hour every afternoon to get rid of busy work, and possibly more, when you can work on large essays and studying.  [[Image:Do Well in School with Attention Deficit Disorder Step 9.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 11)  Create a quiet study area. If you need help from your parents, try using the kitchen table, or a common area for worksheets.  [[Image:Do Well in School with Attention Deficit Disorder Step 10.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 12)  Make a healthy snack that has some protein in it. Have some water, assemble anything you need to help you study.  [[Image:Do Well in School with Attention Deficit Disorder Step 11.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 13)  Taking breaks (if you can manage to get back to your homework, if not, skip this) periodically is a good idea. The human mind needs rewards for its actions. Usually a break every 10 minutes is good, so 10 in, and 10 out, no more, no less. If you establish a routine, it will discipline you to get back to your homework when you have finished your break.  [[Image:Do Well in School with Attention Deficit Disorder Step 12.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 14)  Start with the first period and earliest due date of the day. That way, if for some reason, you can't finish all your homework you will have time the next day during the earlier classes. For example, if period two math has assigned one worksheet due tomorrow, but period one English has one essay due in a week, work on the worksheet first.  [[Image:Do Well in School with Attention Deficit Disorder Step 13.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 15) Remember that all essays and large assignments should be worked on like they are homework. Don't do them all in one afternoon! Large assignments need to be rested--set aside from your eyes for a while, so you can edit them with a fresh mind. If you have a five page essay due, work an hour a day until it is finished. If you can't do that, then write it out by hand at school during free time then retype it. (By retyping, you will notice your mistakes better.) If, for some reason, you can't get started, have a list of things that will start your initiative: check your grades online, read something about organization and preparation, or move your homework to where your parents can make you work.  [[Image:Do Well in School with Attention Deficit Disorder Step 14.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 16) Enlist the help of a tutor to study. They will explain everything for you, and force you to study. If you can't do that, take notes on the subject and then make multiple practice tests.  [[Image:Do Well in School with Attention Deficit Disorder Step 15.jpg|center|550px]]
 * 17) Put all your homework and papers in the box at the end of each semester. This is called your halfway box. Keep it visible and never ever lose it! (And make sure your mom knows it's not garbage.) This doesn't have to be neat, it just has to hold all your papers in case a teacher lost one.  [[Image:Do Well in School with Attention Deficit Disorder Step 16.jpg|center|550px]]

Tips

 * Don't combine folders! It's just a way to lose homework
 * Bring your lunch so you have more time to eat in, instead of standing in a lunch line for 15 minutes.
 * Never go to bed with something you need in school on the floor. The next morning you'll wake up and forget it!
 * In a foreign language class, listen to the language all the time. Youtube has lots of songs (mostly Disney) in nearly all the languages.
 * Your school supplies doesn't have to look pretty, you just have to bring it every day!
 * Bring a small snack baggie of grapes, cut strawberries, cherries, etc. During passing periods, the time between classes, munch on one or two to keep hunger away! Veggies also work or gum, it gets rid of hunger and helps you stay awake. Another trick is bring an energy drink or water, stay away from soda.
 * Don't be afraid to email a teacher regarding retaking tests, questions, or homework help. (Just make sure they didn't answer the question in class!)
 * Always keep a positive attitude.
 * Get off this website and start doing your homework! :D
 * Check grades online to keep track of your progress.
 * Get something minty (gum, perfume, cologne, shampoo) it helps you stay alert and pay attention.

Warnings

 * It is a hallmark of ADD to give up halfway through. Don't! You will reap the rewards when you get great grades at the end of the semester.

Things You'll Need

 * Five-Eight folders
 * A one-pocket backpack
 * A box to hold papers

Related wikiHows

 * How to Make Your Classes in School More Interesting if You Are in the Gifted Program
 * How to Cope With Annoying Classmates
 * How to Sneak Food Into Class
 * How to Get the Least Severe Punishment in School