How to Help a Female Teen with ADHD Choose a College Major

Choosing a college major while suffering from ADHD is a difficult process for any teen, but female students often must also deal with an added stigma. They feel the pressure to succeed in societies where a woman's academic achievement is regarded as essential to being taken seriously in the workplace. Females must often work harder than their male counterparts to achieve the same level of career success, due only to the fact that most societies are still trying to open their minds to having female leaders. Mediocrity is not an option. With this in mind, choosing a college major or career path as a female with ADHD can feel like a daunting task. However, there are ways that you can help that teen in your life focus on the positive, build self-esteem, and accomplish her goals despite any hardships that may come her way.

First, build up the young woman in question with a renewed sense of pride in herself. Remind her that she has fought her entire life to get to the point at which she has just arrived, and she is fully prepared for the next step. Students with ADHD often suffer from low self-esteem because of difficulties in high school, so keep this in mind. Focus on what she has already accomplished, and convince her that she can absolutely go further. Building up that self-esteem is essential before a college major is chosen. Never should a major be put on the back burner out of fear of failure.

Next, discuss your options. Often, students with ADHD find that even if their academic success is lacking, they excel in other areas. Find those hidden skills and interests before moving any further. While broad subjects such as Literature or Math may not hold any weight for her, photography, cooking, poetry, animals, children, or other interests just might. Often teens with ADHD look at the class, not the career. Focus on the interest. Unlike in high school, in college your teen will be able to choose her classes based on what she loves to do. When the core classes are over in a few semesters, she will be able to focus all of her attention on a craft, rather than boring textbook and lecture materials.

Next, help your female teen understand that no matter what major she chooses, the college she attends will have some sort of tutoring center just for her (be sure that all potential colleges are researched for their services to students requiring study help or counseling, preferably with special services for female students). She doesn't have to be afraid of failing a class pertaining to her first choice for a major as long as she's willing to put in the work. Help will be available.

Finally, address your teen's current grades and how they will affect college entry. If she has excellent grades and may go where she pleases, that's great. If she struggled to get through, her options will be limited. However, that does not mean that she cannot eventually go wherever she likes. Utilize the extensive tutoring services and facilities of a junior or community college first as a stepping stone to being accepted to a larger college. Your teen can take those first two years and focus on getting her grades up (and even retaking the SAT/ACT) before applying to a larger university. She can even obtain her Associates first for quicker entry into the labor force if she prefers. Be sure that she takes on the mentoring services of a qualified, concerned, and experienced female leader in the school (such as a professor or counselor) who can guide her through her journey, prepare her for success, and help her cope with the special challenges that female students with ADHD face as they prepare to transfer. This preparation and support process will further guide her to choosing a major based on her passions, not on her weaknesses.

Remember that a female teen with ADHD may need a bit of added encouragement while choosing a college major. Be sure that her decisions are based on what she wants, not on what she feels might hold her back.