Effect of ADHD on College

College can be very daunting time for anyone. For many students this is the first time they are experiencing true freedom. No longer do they have their parents to remind them to get up, get to class and do their homework. Students with ADHD not only grapple with these issues but also special challenges caused by their disorder.

Prevatt, Proctor and Pescher (2007) conducted a study of college study habits in three student groups students with no learning disability, those with a learning disability and those with ADHD. Prevatt, Proctor and Petscher (2007) concluded "there were four areas where the ADHD group reported lower scores than both the ND and LD group: Time Management, Concentration, Selecting Main Ideas, and Test Strategies." Each of these factors is critical to college success.

College students have many demands on their time. They must arrive on time to class, plan out study sessions, and complete assignments in a timely manner. These obligations are compounded with the temptations of parties, dating, and hanging out with friends. Achieving good grades relies on the student ability to manage these temptations and prioritize their time.

A phenomenon which is described by Halliwell and Ratey (1996) "In sending a student with ADD off to college, no matter how well he has done in high school, never underestimate the shock to his system of the total freedom college usually affords and the massive influx of high stimulation he will find - sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll."

Weyandt, Iwaszuk, Fulton and Ollerton (2003) list the effects of ADHD as "inability to sustain attention, impulsivity, and hyperactivity." Pension for impulsivity can cause students to "live in the moment" choosing activities that are more enjoyable over studying. Couple the lack of impulse control with an atmosphere of high stimulation and students may forget to attend class altogether.

According to Prevatt, Proctor and Petscher (2007) "Students in this study reported that their "mind wandered," that they didn't listen carefully, and that they were unable to refocus once they began thinking about something else." Wandering of the mind can make it difficult for a student to focus on the task at hand. Once an item has their attention the student may "tune out" the rest of the world entirely. Traits that make it hard for the student to begin studying and to neglect less interesting courses for those he finds fascinating.

College course routinely require students to sort important information from the unimportant, develop main ideas and produce meaningful research papers. According to Prevatt, Proctor and Petscher (2007) "Deficits in this skill area lead students to study voluminous amounts of unimportant information, become overwhelmed by the information, and, consequently, retain very little. These students may spend considerably more time studying, than their counterparts, while producing much less.

Wandering of the mind and time spent studying unimportant topics can also be seen in a student's test results. Studying for an exam covering three chapters would not pose a problem for many students. Students with ADHD can easily become overwhelmed with this task. Sitting at their desk looking at the textbook they see over 100 pages that must be read and intimately understood. They can find it very difficult to glean only the main points.

Although students with ADHD face many challenges, there are many ways to prepare for the college experience. According to Rodriguez, L. (2007)

"As an individual with a disability you can prepare for the college experience by:

* Registering for classes early. Do not wait until the last minute.

* Seeking out assistance from educational support staff.

* Understanding your particular disability and learning style(s).

* Knowing your academic strengths & weaknesses.

* Being prepared to discuss your needs with faculty and educational support staff."

Support can also be found outside of the college campus. Organizations such as the Attention Deficit Disorder Association can offer support, advice, and experience of other people with ADHD.

Students often face college with a sense of freedom, wonderment, and excitement. Students with ADHD can have a very different experience. For these students entering college can be a very scary and overwhelming experience. It also can be a great opportunity. Support from home, a good therapist, and a coach can help the student learn to cope with issues caused by ADHD. Successfully managing these issues helps the student to build skills that he will need throughout his life. Success will depend on the student acknowledging his deficits, seeking out, and implementing the appropriate management strategies.

References

Hallowell, Edward M. (1996). Answers to Distraction. Santa Ana CA: Ballantine Books.

Holowenko, Henry k. (1999). Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a multidisciplinary approach. Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley.

Prevatt, F., Reaser, A., Proctor, B., Petscher, Y. (2007). The Learning/Study Strategies of College Students with ADHD. ADHD Report, 15(6), 6-9. Retrieved June 26, 2008, from Academic Search Premier. (Document ID: 28106976).

Reaser, A., Prevatt, F., Petscher, Y., Proctor, B. (2007). The learning and study strategies of college students with ADHD. Psychology in the Schools, 44(6), 627-638. Retrieved June 26, 2008, from Academic Search Premier. (Document ID: 25037779).

Reaser, A., Prevatt, F., Petschre, Y., Proctor, B. (2008) Study Strategies in ADHD College Students. ADHD Report, 16(2), 13-13. Retrieved June 26, 2008, from Academic Search Premier. (Document ID: 32003055).

Rodriguez, L. (2007). Preparing for the Community College Experience as a Student with a Disability. The Exceptional Parent, 37(5), 71-74. Retrieved June 28, 2008, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 1280197551).

Weyandt, L., Iwaszuk, W., Fulton, K., Ollerton, M., et al. (2003). The internal restlessness scale: Performance of college students with and without ADHD. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 36(4), 382. Retrieved June 28, 2008, from Research Library database. (Document ID: 370001911).