Studying with ADHD and Dyslexia and (actually sticking to it)

 Studying With ADHD / Dyslexia and( actually sticking with it)

Studying doesn't look the same for everyone — and if you have ADHD or dyslexia, the "just sit down and focus" advice probably hasn't worked for you either. A friend of mine, who lives with both, shared how he actually made studying feel manageable — even enjoyable — instead of like a constant uphill battle. Here's what he does.

1. Pick Your Battleground

You have to start by choosing where you study just as carefully as what you study . A quiet, less busy spot — away from noise, people, and clutter — makes a bigger difference than most people realize. Your environment either works with your brain or against it.

2. Lock Away the Distractions

My friend uses the Pomodoro technique paired with an app like Forest to physically lock his phone away during study blocks. Watching a little tree "grow" while he focuses gives him a small, visual reason to stay off his phone — and it works.

Pairs well with:* a physical Pomodoro cube timer if you'd rather keep your phone out of the equation entirely — just flip it and go. 👉 Pomodoro cube timer

3. Fuel Your Brain

You need to have a small energy snacks nearby — sometimes dextrose tablets — for a quick boost during long study sessions. The brain runs on glucose as one of its main energy sources, so a small, steady snack can help more than skipping meals and running on empty.

4. Turn Reading Into Writing

For dyslexia specifically, you don't have to just read and hope it sticks — you can generally write what you read. I'll  recommend if you want to try this: try the *summary method*. Read a section, close the book, and write down the main point in your own words. It forces your brain to process the information instead of just scanning it.

*Helpful for this: A simple digital notebook dedicated just to summaries. 👉 Digital notebook

5. Make It a Game, Not a Grind

Instead of telling yourself "I need to write 10 pages in 3 days" — which feels heavy before you even start — you need to break it down into tiny, almost silly-sounding goals: "you just need to write a sentence or two." Small wins build momentum. Momentum builds progress.

Something that helps this stick:*A habit consistency tracker — even just checking off "I did a little today" builds proof that you're showing up, even on the days it doesn't feel like it. 👉 Habit/consistency tracker

6. Reward Yourself — For Real

After finishing a task, treats yourself to something that actually makes you happy. It doesn't have to be food. Sometimes it's karaoke, a new bag , a weekend vacation or just calling a friend . The point is closing the loop: you worked, now enjoy something because of it.

 7. Turn Your Notes Into Interactive Revisions Games

Reading your notes over and over can become boring. Instead, make revision more interactive by creating flashcards, crosswords, or word searches using important terms from your subjects. Active recall like this can help many students remember information better.

One free tool you can explore is Get Revising, Quizlet and Anki ,which lets you create study materials like flashcards and quizzes.

8.One Last Thing

It's okay if this takes longer for you than it does for someone else. ADHD and dyslexia don't look the same from person to person, so what works — and how fast it works — will be different too. There will be hard days. That doesn't mean you're doing it wrong. Keep showing up, one small step at a time.

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This post reflects one person's personal experience and is shared for informational purposes only — it isn't medical advice. If you're looking for strategies specific to your own ADHD or dyslexia, a doctor, therapist, or learning specialist can help tailor a plan to you.*