How To Study With ADHD (Best Study Tip I Used For My ADHD Brain!)

Summary

The speaker, who has ADHD and dyslexia, shares their journey through college and medical school, highlighting the challenges they faced with comprehension and note-taking. Initially struggling, particularly in chemistry, they recount a discouraging experience with an unsupportive professor. However, with determination and the discovery of mind mapping—a visual learning technique—they turned their academic performance around. They emphasize the importance of finding a teaching style that meshes with their learning needs and the transformative impact of mind mapping on their ability to study and excel in exams.

Takeaways

• 🎓 Growing up with ADHD and dyslexia made studying and comprehension challenging, especially when teachers used jargon or complicated notes.
• 😓 The user struggled in their first chemistry class, failing exams due to an unhelpful teacher and feeling discouraged about pursuing medical school.
• 💪 Despite initial failure, they were determined to retake the class and ultimately succeeded by finding a more compatible teacher.
• 👩‍🏫 The user recommends interviewing teachers before choosing a class to ensure a good fit for learning style and preferences.
• 📚 They spent extensive time in the library researching study methods, particularly for ADHD and dyslexia.
• 🧠 The game-changing discovery for the user was mind mapping, a study technique that helped them visualize concepts and organize information.
• 🖼️ Mind mapping involves starting with a central idea and branching out into subtopics using visuals and keywords, mimicking how neurons in the brain work.
• ✍️ The user applied mind mapping during lectures, organizing notes visually, and eventually creating a 'master mind map' to summarize everything before exams.
• ✅ This method helped the user excel in exams and became their go-to strategy for succeeding in both college and medical school.
• 📺 The user shares their success story in the video and encourages others to explore various ADHD study tactics, including mind mapping for visual learners.

Q & A

What challenges did the speaker face while studying with ADHD and dyslexia?

The speaker struggled with comprehending information, keeping up with notes, and following lectures. ADHD made it difficult to focus, while dyslexia hindered their ability to process written material quickly.

How did the speaker perform in their first chemistry class, and what impact did it have?

The speaker failed their first chemistry class and struggled to keep up, especially due to the unhelpful teacher. This experience was devastating, and the professor discouraged them from pursuing medical school.

What key advice does the speaker offer regarding selecting teachers in college?

The speaker advises students to interview teachers before enrolling in their class to ensure their teaching style is compatible with the student’s learning needs. Finding a well-organized and supportive teacher can significantly improve learning outcomes.

What study technique did the speaker discover that transformed their learning experience?

The speaker discovered mind mapping, a technique that uses visual diagrams to organize information. This method helped them process and retain information more effectively.

How does mind mapping work according to the speaker?

Mind mapping involves creating a central visual idea, then branching out to subtopics using keywords and visuals. This mirrors the way neurons connect in the brain, making it easier to remember and recall information.

Why was the new chemistry teacher more effective for the speaker?

The new teacher was more organized, writing everything down, which made it easier for the speaker to follow along and create mind maps based on the lecture notes.

How did the speaker use mind maps to prepare for exams?

The speaker created individual mind maps for each class and then a master mind map for exams. The master mind map contained a visual summary of all the key points, helping the speaker visualize and recall the information during the exam.

What was the outcome of using mind mapping for the speaker?

The speaker’s performance drastically improved after adopting mind mapping. They aced their chemistry exams and used the technique throughout college and medical school to successfully complete their studies.

What is the speaker’s message to other students with ADHD and dyslexia?

The speaker encourages students with ADHD and dyslexia to find study techniques that work for them, such as mind mapping. They also suggest seeking out supportive teachers and not giving up on their academic goals.

What additional resources does the speaker recommend for ADHD learners?

The speaker recommends checking out their playlist of ADHD study tactics, where they discuss various methods for different types of learners to improve their study habits.