homework planner for adhd students

Elementary ADHD/Executive Function Support School Planners

While simple, every aspect of the planner layout is intentional, created for children who need extra support to stay on task. For some parents, this means constant back and forth with teachers over missing work, clarifying assignments, and doing most of the prompting yourself. It can be exhausting (I know firsthand) and ultimately doesn't teach them how to be responsible for their school work. 

By guiding them with prompts and reminders, you're allowing children to be responsible and learn strategies that will help them throughout their life. It can also do wonders for their confidence and make for more peaceful evenings at homework time. 

Intensive - Daily

This 4-subject planner layout is designed for those students needing the most daily executive function support. Learn more .       

Intermediate - Daily

This layout builds on the foundation of the intensive layout, with some added prompts to help facilitate forward thinking skills. Learn more .

Independent - Weekly

The weekly layout is for students with improving executive function skills, but who still need prompts and reminders to stay on track. Learn more .

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The ADHD Project

The ADHD Project Planner: Simplify ADHD Life

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Top rated ADHD planner and organizer with effective ADHD planning tools and ADHD time management solutions for adults with ADHD, students, parents, and educators.

Softcover and/or Digital Download available, use the drop-down to select. Physical copies include a FREE digital download as well!

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A Planner for People Who Can't Stick With Planners.

If you're like me, you've tried a million planners and they're all collecting dust in your spare closet.

It's not your fault though , because those planners were NOT designed to work the way YOUR brain works.

Instead of working against you, The ADHD Project Planner works the way ADHD Brains think to help you fight back against forgetfulness and disorganization.

What Does The ADHD Project Planner Actually Help With?

Whether you're a student juggling a full course load, a busy parent or professional managing a household and career, or a parent of a child with ADHD , The ADHD Project Planner is a powerful tool that can can help you stay organized, reduce stress, and achieve your goals.

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For students.

• Stay on top of your studies:  With dedicated sections for daily schedules, projects, and notes, The ADHD Project Planner can help you stay organized and on top of your coursework.
• Reduce procrastination: By providing a clear roadmap for completing tasks and meeting deadlines, The ADHD Project Planner can help you reduce procrastination and boost productivity.
• Improve time management skills: With features such as time-blocking and prioritization tools, The ADHD Project Planner can help you manage your time more effectively and get more done in less time.

For Busy Parents and Professionals

• Stay on top of life: With dedicated sections for daily and project planning, as well as goal-setting and habit-tracking features, The ADHD Project Planner can help you stay on top of your busy schedule.
• Reduce stress: With its intuitive layout and customizable features, The ADHD Project Planner can help reduce stress and improve mental clarity, allowing you to focus on what matters most.
• Improve your work-life balance:  By providing a clear roadmap for achieving both individual and project-based goals, The ADHD Project Planner can help you achieve work-life balance and live a more fulfilling life.

For Parents/Caretakers of Children With ADHD

• Help your child learn organization skills: The ADHD Project Planner is designed to help people with ADHD stay organized, teaching your child/teen valuable skills that will set them up for successful adulthood.
• Prevent stress: By providing structure and routine, The ADHD Project Planner can help prevent stress and improve your child's mental well-being.
• Improve communication: The ADHD Project Planner can also be used to improve communication between you, your child, and their teachers or counselors, ensuring that everyone is on the same page working towards the same goals.

"The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities."

Stephen covey, the adhd project planner is for you if...., you've tried other planners, they don't work for you.

The ADHD Project Planner is specifically designed to cater to the unique needs of people with ADHD , and takes into account our common challenges and pain points. It's easy to use and engaging, with a focus on positive reinforcement and motivation, making it a game-changer for people with ADHD who have struggled with other planners in the past.

You think you might want to use an app instead

Research shows that our brains retain information better when you physically write it down. The ADHD Project Planner offers a unique and customizable experience that lets your track your progress and build positive habits in a way that's more engaging and effective than a digital app.

You're not a "planning" person or don't know where to start

The ADHD Project Planner is designed to help people who struggle with organization and planning. Even if you don't consider yourself a naturally organized person, the planner can give you the tools and support you need to build positive habits and get on top of your life. 

Ready to FINALLY Get Ahead of Life?

If you want to improve your planning routine and manage ADHD-related challenges better, The ADHD Project Planner is the ultimate solution. Designed with customizable tools and strategies to fit your unique needs and preferences, the planner makes it easy to stay organized and on track , with a focus on positive reinforcement and motivation. No matter where you're at in your journey, we can help you achieve your goals and improve your overall quality of life with ADHD.

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Homework organization, time management, and studying effectively are all common issues for ADHD-diagnosed children. We’ve looked through dozens of apps designed to help students stay organized and on-task and have come up with four we recommend for helping ADHD-diagnosed students improve their homework skills.

MyHomework (Free; IOS and Android) – This app allows students to set up their homework and project information and prioritize it by both class and date due. This information can be synced across devices (including home computers and laptops)through creating a free MyHomework account. Parents can set it up for your child to receive rewards (such as movie tickets or snacks) for completing assignments. Because this app sends students reminders about assignments, we recommend it as a good alternative or supplement to a physical agenda planner.

IStudiez Pro ($2.99; IOS) – This app is similar to MyHomework, although it appears to be more suited to high school and college students than younger students. The layout is similar to that of Google Calendar where students can see a daily schedule or weekly schedule of assignments. Assignments can be prioritized by due date, course, and priority and students can keep a list of both current and completed events. One advantage of this app is that it allows students to calculate grades and track their GPA.

30/30 (Free; IOS) – This is a time and task management app that works on the concept of breaking down tasks into a work cycle of 30 minutes of work and then a 30 minute break. However, users can change the amount of time set for both work and breaks and adjust those times for each task (for instance, a student may decide to set a 20 minute work cycle for a reading assignment with a 10 minute break). Interacting with this app is very easy and completely gesture based with an interactive tutorial that allows students to try out all the different functions of the application before setting it up for personal use. We recommend this app for students who have trouble with procrastination.

Flashcards Deluxe ( $3.99; IOS and Android) – This app allows students to create flashcards with up to 5 sides. Students can also choose four different card order options that help to prioritize how they study (one option allows students to focus only on those cards they have recently gotten wrong, for instance). Students can create their own flashcards from their computer and upload them, create flashcards directly within their device,or download flashcard sets from within the app through the shared library or Cram.com. ( Note: We tested the free “lite” version of this app, which limits the user to four decks of flashcards with six cards per deck. This limitation appears to be the only difference between the free and paid versions.)

Tutors Who Understand ADHD

HomeworkCoach is a special tutoring agency. We know how to keep students with ADHD on track. Our coach comes to your home and helps your child manage their schoolwork while building their executive function skills. Call us today 877-715-5442 or click Contact Us below.

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ADHD Student Planner | A Tool for Success

Students with ADHD, which implies Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) have more struggles than the normal students in focusing and finishing their homework tasks on time. Apparently, getting good grades in academic performance is far away a dream for them. Parents of kids with ADHD also agree with this! According to them, their children do not have the skills to stay organized and manage their assignments wisely which affects their school performance. Thankfully, they can now resort to the digital ADHD student planner that comes with exclusive features to support students as well as the parents or teachers.

Finding the best homework planner helps students to build executive functions that lead them to success in academic as well as life. By executive functions, it means planning and sorting of tasks is an effective way while managing stress at the same time. Organization of tasks and management of executive functions are the foundation of higher productivity and academic success.

Needless to say, focus and carefulness are what students need to have better executive functioning skills. While technology has revolutionized every sphere of our lives, education is also not left from its influence. You will find several benefits of technology in education and the digital student planner apps are one of the best examples! Students with ADHD find difficulties in concentrating and thereby, they find such apps highly useful to complete their tasks.

If you are a parent or a teacher of a child with ADHD and looking for some extra help to organize your kid’s tasks, read this comprehensive blog till the end to know how an ADHD Student planner will help.

What is ADHD?

ADHD or Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity-Disorder is one of the common disorders faced by kids during their childhood phase. It’s a neurodevelopmental disorder that causes trouble focusing, paying attention to a particular activity at a time, and controlling impulsive behaviors.

While lack of attention and impulsive or erratic behaviors are common in many children, those with ADHD have difficulties more than that.

They are unable to restrain their behaviors or grow out of them to focus on their study life. Sometimes, the symptoms of ADHD are severe which impacts their school life as well as relationships with family and friends.

Children with ADHD tend to act impulsively and have difficulties staying still and concentrating on a task. Being restless, they may leave a task unfinished if not continuously guided by a parent or teacher. Their symptoms of hyperactivity, inattention, and impulsiveness are likely to aggravate or diminish as they grow above 12 years. Also, their symptoms are inevitable in any setting but not only at home. It is also for this reason that the academic planner for ADHD students often comes in handy to parents and teachers.

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Types of adhd symptoms, 1. predominantly inattentive.

A majority of ADHD faces this type and most of the symptoms of the disorder are seen in this type. Key symptoms they show are difficulty in concentrating, inability to take notes or memorize, difficulty in organizing tasks, losing or forgetting items, etc.

2. Predominantly Hyperactive or Impulsive

Children with this type of ADHD are unable to sit still and stay calm in one place. The other symptoms are talking too much, interrupting others or blurting out too much, difficulty in waiting, and running around.

3. Combined

These are children with a mix of the above two types of ADHD i.e. they have symptoms of both and hence need more supervision and guidance.

Regardless of the type, ADHD does not allow students to have a balanced academic life and significantly affects their learning, skill development, and grades of performance. The only ADHD remedies that sound well for parents or teachers are keeping a strict eye on the students and closely monitoring their tasks or classes all the time.

Apart from that, parents can use a digital homework software for ADHD students to keep their children focused and bring calmness and routine to their academic life. A well-developed ADHD homework software with built-in features will work as their digital homework attention coach and lessen a lot of stress for the parents.

Why Do Students with ADHD Find It Hard to Focus?

Being focused is hard for students with ADHD and therefore, an external tool like a study planner is useful for them. But, why do they have problems with focusing or paying attention? It is mostly because they have a feeling of restlessness, inattentiveness, and forgetfulness. As a result, they easily feel bored with whatever they do and face struggles in focusing on school tasks or prioritizing their homework.

Some of the specific ADHD symptoms that make it hard for students to concentrate on their tasks and affect their study life are:

• Daydreaming
• Forgetting or losing things
• Making careless mistakes
• Unable to resist temptations
• Difficulty in getting along or communicating with others
• Experiencing boredom
• Over stimulation

Due to all these reasons, ADHD parenting is undeniably challenging. Parents need proven and failsafe remedies to address the students’ problems and make them calm and focused. The earlier they can help their children, the better their chances to gain attentiveness and success in life.

Students with ADHD find difficulty in getting academic success because they lack skills for executive functions i.e. organizing, planning, and controlling erratic impulses to complete their tasks on time. For this reason, parents or teachers need an external tool such as an ADHD student planner to help their child with ADHD management and ensure continuous improvement in academic performance.

In short, students find it hard to achieve success in academic life because:

• They have short attention spans,
• They are unable to stick with one task,
• They tend to be jittery all the time,
• They face problems in getting along with teachers and other students, and
• They have difficulty following instructions and rules.

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Adhd treatment guide for parents.

ADHD treatment thus includes boosting the executive functioning skills of students which are essential for academic success. Those skills include memorizing the tasks, prioritizing the tasks according to classes, planning how to complete them, and paying enough attention to complete them on time.

The parents of ADHD students need to create an ideal environment for their children to make them attentive or focused and the best planner for students with adhd helps them with that.

Any student who has lots of school tasks piled up needs sheer motivation to carry on and complete the tasks one after another. This is more obvious for students with ADHD who are impulsive and unable to focus on anything. An adhd study planner is recommended because it not just helps them stay organized but also provides certain gamified features like ‘points’ or ‘rewards’ which drive their motivation.

Thus, ADHD treatment becomes easier for parents with a modern solution like an academic planner for adhd students that helps in organizing tasks and strengthening the focus of students.

How Can Students With ADHD Focus?

Not only the students with ADHD have great difficulties balancing their student life but also their parents feel frustrated or overwhelmed to bring organization and success into their life. Therefore, a solution is needed that will help their kids organize their tasks and finish them while taking away maximum of parental stress. A few crucial tips for ADHD students or their parents that help them focus are:

1. Doing one task at a time

The first tip for an ADHD student is to avoid multitasking and focus on one task at a time. The most serious problem with ADHD students is that they fail to finish a given task even after starting it on time. The parents or teachers should never provide them with more than one task. Since they lack concentration, they easily shift focus from one task to another. As a result, they will not be able to complete any of the tasks. With multiple assignments needed to be completed, you should set the tasks according to priority and let your student complete them one by one.

2. Setting a time for a task

To focus well on a single task and complete it within time, it is necessary to set a time limit by yourself even if there is a deadline provided by the class. Setting your own timer along with breaks is more effective and can help your student complete it with fluency. However, make sure to set a realistic time within which your student can complete a part of the task. Also, the breaks should be long enough to help him/her relax but also should not be much longer to allow the time to involve in other activities.

3. Breaking tasks into small manageable chunks

This trick is focused on by most ADHD academic planners and helps students to finish their tasks quite fast. This is useful for big tasks or complex projects. In those cases, a student gets perplexed and does not know how to start, organize it in different parts, and complete it on time. More specifically, ADHD students seem to lose motivation while doing such projects.

A homework software for ADHD students will help them to break down the large projects into small manageable parts. An ADHD parent can assign the project part by part and set a timer for each part. This way it helps parents to keep their students focused on larger assignments without feeling nervous or demotivated.

4. Visual reminders

A key way to prevent forgetfulness is to keep the crucial things always in sight. This is a common trick for helping students with ADHD. It is also a reason why the best planner for adhd students turned out to be effective. It helps to keep important tasks always in sight and stay alert about their deadline. An app always sends notifications for upcoming tasks. Thus, whenever a student forgets an assignment or gets involved in many other activities, the constant alerts on the desktop will remind them.

5. Block any distractions

One of the tips to help ADHD students focus is limiting distractions while they are doing a project or assignment. A parent or teacher can do that for the student by turning off their phones or digital devices, providing a separate silenced corner or room, and blocking noise with earplugs. For this reason, many parents today use the best academic planner for students with adhd that enables them to focus. They create a secluded workspace on the desktop that prevents other apps from the time of doing the assignment.

 6. Use a planner app

While these are a few usual tips, a digital academic planner for ADHD students can help their parents to apply all these tips at once and keep them focused. It works as a proper visual tool to prevent them from forgetting anything and help them manage their assignments on time. While traditional notebook planners or to-do lists were handy and effective earlier, students in this modern era should be provided with something more creative to stay hooked on their school tasks. That is why digital planner apps are replacing the traditional paper planners.

Tips for Using The ADHD Student Planner

The best planner for adhd students ensures to enhance their abilities to manage multiple tasks, and be organized in their approach. It develops these skills through the various features that are integrated with lots of characteristics that are helpful for the students. These skills might appear simple and ineffective but it is powerful with an extraordinary role to play in the student’s personality development.

The ADHD student software often proves to be an important tool for managing their life and studies. These planners become your memory prompt, time manager, and organizational hub, through their features. It also aids in reducing classic ADHD symptoms like impulsiveness, distraction, and procrastination.

Parents need to choose the right and the best planner for students with adhd to help them achieve success and feel comfortable while studying. While you might be floored by the benefits of these planners, getting started with them is not always easy and smooth. Your kid might not start loving it from day one, but losing your hope isn’t going to help.

Here are a few essential tips on how you can use the planner to get maximum results while unveiling it gradually.

1. Introduce the planner to the kids

Do not expect your kid to jump with joy as you introduce the best planner for adhd students to them. Expect some resistance as that’s the way it works. Introducing anything new that they need to follow every day is not well absorbed by the kids. Start by using the planner at least once a week. Let them find the benefits of planning out the most important tasks of the week.

2. Make them do a planning session every day

Once the initial phase of introduction fades away, make your child do a planning session each day. Sit with your child and make them do a planning session. It makes them realize what should be their priorities for the day. The adhd study planner makes it easy for them to stay focused and fight the tendency of getting distracted.

3. Include break times

The best academic planner for students with adhd is incorporated with features that allow the students to take a break. It is not ideal to expect your child to study continuously. They need time for a break. And the student planners give them the desired time. It enables the students to avoid feeling anxious, pressurized, and irritable.

4. A habit to look at it often

Gradually the academic planner for adhd students turns into a habit. It is preferred to encourage them for using it and arranging and updating it every time. Using the planner often brings a lot of change in ADHD students and it also helps them to avoid feeling restless. Making the practice of using the planner a habit may be helpful for their academic and personal life as well.

Perks of Clarifi’s ADHD Student Planner

Are you still in search of the best planner for students with adhd? Try Clarifi! It is a perfect planner that enables you to implement and experience the overall progress of your student and help them explore the wide range of benefits. Some of the perks that your students will enjoy while using Clarifi’s ADHD student planner include:

1. Organize and track homework and activities

Keeping a track of school-related tasks and extracurricular activities can be an overwhelming task for ADHD students. But Clarifi’s adhd study planner turns out to be fun, exciting and motivating. The different categories, reminders, and colors used in the apps are brilliant to hook the students’ attention.

2. Enhancing executive functioning

Students with ADHD find it extremely troublesome to manage their time and perform executive functions. These are the necessary skills that help them to begin, memorize, plan, or even prioritize their daily tasks. The adhd student planner helps them to stay focused and complete things more productively.

3. Plan and reach goals

One of the important lessons that your adhd student will learn through Clarifi, the best planner for students with adhd is the importance of planning. It helps them in overall organization, time-management, and executive functioning aspects. As they get accustomed to the student planner, they can enlist the activities and plan their way to achieve their goals.

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Closing thoughts.

Several studies on ADHD students showed that they can overcome their struggles to stay focused with effective strategies such as organization of tasks, blockage of distractions, and visual reminders. However, it is often hard for the parents to apply these strategies in a consistent manner and make them a habit for their ADHD kids who are impulsive, inattentive, and lack planning abilities.

The use of a digital Student planner for ADHD students makes these strategies or practices possible. Clarifi is the most preferred desktop planner today for its simple interface and helpful features. It is easy to use for both the parents and the students. Getting started with the app on your desktop is also absolutely simple! You just need to download and install it on your student’s desktop.

It runs seamlessly on all types of devices and operating systems.If your child has ADHD and is struggling to improve his or her school performance, install it today for ensuring greater focus and improving academic outcomes.

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15 Best Planners for College Students with ADHD

Are you looking for the best planners for college students with ADHD?

For college students with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), managing time can be a significant challenge. Good planners designed for students with ADHD can help!

Many students with ADHD struggle to maintain a consistent schedule and may find it difficult to balance academic, social, and personal responsibilities .

College students with ADHD might need some extra help keeping track of their to-do lists and organizing their study time . 

If you have ADHD, you know how important it is to stay organized . 

And if you’re a college student with ADHD, you know it can feel pretty much impossible to stay organized in college. 

So, what to do ?

One effective tool for managing time and staying organized is using a planner. A planner can help college students with ADHD set goals, plan tasks, and create a schedule that works for them.

College students with ADHD need to find a daily planner that works  with  their brain. Some planners work better for neurodivergent minds than others do. And of course, everyone has to find the planner that suits them the best. 

The right planner will help you accomplish your goals, bring intentionality to your day, and not feel overwhelming.

This blog post will explore the best planners for college students with ADHD and provide tips for incorporating a planner into daily life. I’ve looked at dozens of planners and read hundreds of planner reviews to choose this list of the absolute best planners for students with ADHD.

Whether you are a student with ADHD looking to improve time management skills or a parent or educator seeking strategies to support students with ADHD, this post will offer practical advice and insights to help you get started.

My Top 3 Picks: Best planners for College Students with ADHD

Epic Self ADHD Planner

✅ Goal Planner

✅ Project List

✅ Habit Tracker

Planner Pad

✅ Funnel Down

✅ Dated Pages

✅ Slim Profile

BestSelf Planner

✅ Daily Agenda

✅ Bucket Lists

Jump to the 15 best planners for college students with ADHD

Jump to bonus planning tools for college students with adhd, jump to essential accessories for college students with adhd, why should college students with adhd use a planner.

Simply put, planners help you plan your life! By using a planner, you can manage some of the challenges of having ADHD in college. 

Planners help you:

• Remember important things
• Manage your time
• Stay organized
• Avoid distraction
• Stop procrastinating
• Think through the details
• Get things done

All college students, whether they have ADHD or not, should use a planner!

Why do students with ADHD struggle at college?

College students with ADHD often have difficulty keeping up with the pace of college classes and the hands-off approach of professors. College coursework requires a lot of self discipline and excellent time management skills. 

In college, all students might struggle more than they did in college. High school provided more structure to each day, sometimes with built-in study halls. 

High school grades didn’t depend entirely on only a few big assignments or exams. Even students who learned how to deal with an ADHD diagnosis in high school will still find college challenging. 

Of course, many students are diagnosed with ADHD in college. Usually, the main feeling upon receiving that diagnosis is relief, followed by the thought “This diagnosis explains so much!”

Students with ADHD struggle with:

• Organizational skills : managing all the tasks required in college classes
• Time management : struggling to make effective use of time
• Executive function : organizing and integrating information
• Time  blindness : not realizing how time passes or how much time things take to do
• Working memory : remembering information even while they’re using the information

What are the best Planners for college students with ADHD?

Planners designed for college students with ADHD should be tailored to how ADHD brains function. People who have a neurodivergent brain may not have success with traditional planners. 

Also, a digital planner or calendar app might be less effective for a student with ADHD. 

And, many people with ADHD need a more structured planner than just pages of blank lines. 

The best planners for ADHD college students are ones that let users:

• See time passing visually
• Allow transition time (like travel and getting ready)
• Have room to write down all. the. things.
• Have areas to prioritize tasks
• Create subtasks by breaking large projects into smaller tasks
• Easily reorder and reprioritize tasks
• Reschedule events easily
• Avoid hidden subtasks
• Avoid being caught out by transition times
• Trust the planner and not have to remember everything
• Set time aside for self care
• Schedule time with friends

What to look for in a planner for ADHD college students

To decide which is the best planner for a college student with ADHD, consider the features of each planner.

All planners have some basic features in common. But in each planner, sections will be arranged differently.

Every planner will have a calendar . Some planners will include dates . These will typically be 12- or 18-month calendars.

Other planners are undated . This means that you have to write in the dates yourself. You can start the planner whenever you like.

Some planners have space for a habit tracker or to-do lists . Others have space to write down any notes on the day, a daily goal , reminders , or random ideas . 

Some planners are day planners , with day-by-day blocks. Often each day is broken down into hourly or even quarter-hour increments. 

Often planners have a weekly view , so the user can see the upcoming week to know what’s ahead. The week-at-a-glance feature will help you remember you have something due on Friday, so you set aside time to prepare earlier in the week. 

Similarly, planners usually also have a monthly view . Again, a monthly planner overview helps you see the big picture and allows you to plan your time to more easily complete tasks. 

Consider what features would be the most useful to you. If you’re not sure, opt for a planner with all the features, so you can try them out and see what works best for you.

Choose a paper calendar

Many people with ADHD prefer paper planners to online calendars, like Google Calendar. For ADHD brains, paper planners are often better than online calendars. Here’s why:

Writing things down on paper helps you process the information

A study conducted by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology  concluded that when of young adults and school-aged children write and draw, “brain areas in the parietal and central regions showed event-related synchronized activity in the theta range.”  

This type of activity “in these particular regions of the brain is  important for  memory and for the encoding of new information.”  

In short, by writing down your tasks and goals, you process the information better. 

Seeing the hours of your day helps you visualize your time

Also, seeing a big graphic view of your schedule and to-do list is helpful. Paper planners allow students to see their time mapped out, which is incredibly helpful for students with ADHD. 

Paper planners promote time-management skills

Seeing everything all in one place, with daily, weekly, and monthly views, will help you understand time. Seeing your immediate and future plans will help you prioritize, focus on tasks, and track your progress towards goals and due dates. 

Electronic devices are distracting

When you enter tasks or calendar appointments on your phone or other device, you’re almost certain to be distracted by a social media app notification.

Then you’ll forget to make the calendar entry you started to make. Or you’ll lose two hours that you should have used for something else. 

Fewer mistakes with paper

It’s very, very, very easy to enter something on an electronic calendar on the wrong day or at the wrong time… and not realize it until you’ve missed the event. 

When you write something down in a paper planner, it’s much more obvious if you’re writing it down on the correct day and time. 

1. The Epic Self ADHD Planner

⭐️  RATING:  4.5/5 Stars | ✅  Buy it !

The Epic Self ADHD Planner is a game-changing companion for individuals managing ADHD. There are two versions: an Epic Self ADHD spiral-bound planner and an Epic Self book-bound planner.

This 90-day undated planner is thoughtfully crafted to provide a practical and effective solution for organizing your life. Designed with the unique needs of ADHD individuals in mind, the Epic Self ADHD Planner offers a user-friendly layout that helps you stay focused and on track.

With its intuitive system, you can effortlessly prioritize tasks, set goals, and break them down into manageable steps. The planner’s specialized features, such as habit trackers and dedicated sections for medication tracking, provide valuable support for managing ADHD symptoms.

This little book has high-quality construction ensures durability, making it a reliable tool to navigate the challenges of everyday life in college with ADHD.

The Epic Self ADHD Planner empowers you to take control, improve productivity, and achieve success with greater ease. Embrace a new level of organization and harness your full potential with this essential tool designed for individuals with ADHD.

“As someone with ADD, I often (always) struggle with keeping track of my daily tasks and managing my time effectively. This planner has helped me to create a structured routine that allows me to stay focused and on track throughout the day.” -Kevin H. ( Read more reviews )

2. The Planner Pad

⭐️  RATING:  4.7/5 Stars | ✅   Buy it!

The Planner Pad organizer is a reliable and efficient tool to help you stay organized and in control of your busy life. This planner is designed with simplicity and functionality in mind.

The unique format of The Planner Pad allows you to prioritize tasks and appointments effectively. The two-page spread has room for all your big ideas and task lists.

With its spacious layout, you can easily view your weekly schedule at a glance, enabling you to manage your time efficiently. The planner’s innovative funnel system helps you categorize and prioritize tasks based on their importance and urgency.

By providing a clear visual representation of your commitments, The Planner Pad reduces overwhelm and boosts productivity.

The Planner Pad can bring order and structure to your daily life, help you stay on track, and assist you in accomplishing your goals. Embrace the power of organization and experience the peace of mind that comes with it with the Planner Pad.

“I have 100 things to do in a week and this helps me collect everything in one spot and then assign it to a day accordingly. I find myself using this consistently because I can fit everything on its designated page without writing in mouse font. I’m not losing track of to-do items anymore.” -Sarah ( Read more reviews )

3. BestSelf Planner

⭐️  RATING:  4.6/5 Stars | ✅  Buy it!

The BestSelf Planner will be your ultimate companion for effective time management and enhanced productivity.

This planner is thoughtfully designed to help you stay organized, focused, and in control of your busy life. With its user-friendly layout and comprehensive features, the BestSelf Planner is a game-changer in the realm of productivity tools.

Plan your days, set goals, and track your progress with ease using the goal-setting and habit-tracking sections. The planner’s unique daily, weekly, and monthly layouts offer ample space for scheduling appointments, jotting down important tasks, and reflecting on your achievements.

With its undated format, the BestSelf Planner provides the flexibility to start at any time and never waste a page.

Crafted from high-quality materials, this planner is built to withstand the demands of your daily routine. Additionally, the BestSelf Planner includes inspirational quotes and prompts to keep you motivated and inspired along your journey.

Experience a new level of productivity and efficiency with the BestSelf Planner, and unlock your true potential. This planner could be the key to maximizing your productivity and achieving your goals. Make each day count with the BestSelf Planner.

“This one has been the best I have ever used so far! It is customizable which is so important for different styles of planning. I can break off into different projects all within my one journal. Habit tracking quarterly, and monthly planning to help achieve my SMART goals! Awesome planner and definitely recommend.” -Hunter P. ( Read more reviews )

4. Clever Fox Planner Daily Pro

⭐️  RATING:  4.5/5 Stars | ✅  Buy it!

The Clever Fox Planner Daily PRO is an excellent planner for college students. This undated three month planner offers a practical and efficient way to manage your academic journey by incorporating goal-setting and self-awareness.

The Clever Fox Planner Daily PRO provides ample space for organizing your classes, assignments, and extracurricular activities. It goes beyond just scheduling with goal-setting and habit-tracking sections, helping you overcome procrastination and achieve your aspirations.

Built to withstand the rigors of college life, this planner is crafted from durable, high-quality materials. It includes monthly, weekly, and daily overviews, empowering you to plan ahead effectively. Experience success and stay on top of your college life with the Clever Fox Planner Daily PRO.

“Everything I need for my ADHD and nothing that I don’t.” -Brandi Lee ( Read more reviews )

5. Erin Condren Academic Planners

⭐️  RATING:  5/5 Stars | ✅  Buy it!

The Erin Condren Academic Planner Collection features Spiral Academic Planners and Softbound Academic Planners to keep you on track throughout the academic year.

These planners are designed specifically for students, providing a clear and structured layout for effective planning and organization. With their academic focus, Erin Condren Academic Planners allow you to seamlessly manage your schedule from July to June.

The monthly layout offers ample writing space for each day, enabling you to note down important dates, assignments, and deadlines. The planners feature project and exam trackers, plus space for weekly assignments and semester planner.

Choose from a variety of covers to stylishly embrace the power of organization with this reliable and functional planner.

“I got this as a gift, and I am totally in love! The whole planner is perfect for college. The paper is amazing, nice and thick. There are tabs for each month. There is a separate page at the beginning for class schedules. Within each tab there is two pages for the whole month, a page for goals and notes, a page for projects and exams, then two pages for each week of the month starting with Monday, and ends with 5 pages lined for notes. There are also sticker included for exams, midterms, paper due, test, read, study guide, no class, vacation, study, and quiz. It’s wonderful and I cant wait for next semester to start using it!” -Briana N. ( Read more reviews )

6. Legend Planner Pro

The Legend Planner Pro is designed to help you unleash your full potential and bring clarity and organization to your life.

With its simple and modern layout, the Legend Planner allows you to effortlessly plan your days, weeks, and months, hour by hour.

Its goal-oriented approach empowers you to set clear objectives and break them down into actionable steps, ensuring you stay on track towards your dreams. The planner’s unique features, such as the vision board and habit tracker, provide invaluable tools for personal growth and development.

The high-quality materials and durable construction of the Legend Planner make it reliable as well as functional. Choose from covers in several bright colors.

Elevate your productivity, achieve your goals, and live your best life with this exceptional planner by your side.

” For ALL things work, business, personal life, fitness. Spiritual, literally all the things, it’s my ALL IN ONE LIFE PLANNER and I can’t stop raving about it- how have I not had this all my life?? This was the key all along! I can already feel how this is going to change my life dramatically holding me accountable for my goals I write down and the regular reviewing it prompts you to do- just genius! And the peace in mind to dump the mental list out of your mind and into this perfectly planned out journal is so freeing! ” -Daisy ( Read more reviews)

🤩 Buy Now !

7. Simple Elephant Planner

The Simple Elephant Planner by Papercode is an elegantly designed planner that combines style and functionality to elevate your planning experience.

With undated monthly and weekly spreads, goal-setting pages, and ample note-taking space, these planners provide a comprehensive system to manage your tasks, projects, and appointments.

The durable construction and high-quality materials ensure that your planner withstands daily wear and tear, making it a reliable companion throughout the year.

The Simple Elephant planner makes planning a delightful experience so you can take control of your days with elegance and efficiency.

“This planner has monthly and weekly planning sections, along with tons of lined paper to take notes on. The hardcover exterior feels very durable while remaining slim. The pages are thick, easy to turn, and there is plenty of room for writing within the spaces of the various layouts. I love the ribbons that keep your place within the sections. ” -Shay ( Read more reviews )

8. Happy Planner

The Happy Planner 18-month planner offers an extended period of planning possibilities. Choose from a variety of beautiful covers and enjoy motivational quotes that inspire and uplift you as you plan your days.

As a comprehensive planner organizer, the Happy Planner weekly layout features dividers and sticker sheets that allow you to effortlessly categorize and identify your notes. Create sections for various aspects of your life, such as homework, bills, recipes, and more.

The Happy Planner is compact enough to fit into most bags, ensuring that you can carry it with you wherever you go.

Unleash your creativity and make this planner uniquely yours from the inside out. The signature disc-bound spine enables easy customization, allowing you to add, remove, and rearrange pages as needed.

You can even change out the discs to match your style–and there are so many styles to choose from ! Enhance your planning experience with stickers , pockets , and page markers , transforming your agenda into a true reflection of your personality.

“One of the best planners out there!!!” -Paola R. ( Read more reviews )

9. Law of Attraction Academic Planner

⭐️  RATING:  4.7/5 Stars | ✅  Buy It!

The Law of Attraction Academic Planner by Freedom Mastery is a powerful tool to manifest your dreams and unlock your true potential.

This planner is specifically designed to harness the principles of the Law of Attraction and guide you towards a life of abundance and fulfillment. The Law of Attraction Life Planner empowers you to align your thoughts, intentions, and actions with your desired outcomes. Visualize your goals, set clear intentions, and track your progress with precision.

The planner’s dedicated sections for gratitude practice and affirmations cultivate a positive mindset, attracting more positivity into your life.

Its practical features, such as monthly and weekly planning pages, habit trackers, and vision boards, provide a comprehensive system to keep you focused and motivated.

Crafted with the highest quality materials, the Law of Attraction Academic Planner exudes elegance and durability. Choose from a plain black cover or several more creative designs.

Embrace the power of manifestation and organize your life with the Law of Attraction Planner by Freedom Mastery.

“I absolutely LOVE this planner. It hits every aspect of my thinking with regards to goal setting. The monthly reflection is perfect to keep yourself on track for long term goals. The hourly time track is a plus! ” -Briana ( Read more reviews )

10. Rocket book Academic Planner

The Rocketbook Academic Planner is an innovative and eco-friendly solution for students. This cutting-edge planner combines the convenience of traditional pen and paper with the power of digital technology. Say goodbye to wasteful paper planners and hello to a sustainable planning experience.

The Rocketbook Academic Planner features a unique design that allows you to write, erase, and reuse the pages using any pen from the Pilot Frixion line.

With the Rocketbook app, you can easily scan and save your handwritten notes and plans to popular cloud services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and Evernote. Never worry about losing your important notes again – they’ll be securely stored and easily accessible from any device.

This academic planner includes monthly and weekly layouts, as well as dedicated sections for goal setting, to-do lists, and class schedules. The planner’s pages are designed with a dot grid pattern, providing the flexibility to customize your layouts and unleash your creativity.

The Rocketbook Reusable Academic Planner offers ample writing space to keep track of assignments, projects, and important dates. Its durable construction ensures long-lasting use, and the lay-flat design makes it easy to write on any surface.

This planner is perfect for college students who prefer technology are are hesitant to try a traditional paper planner.

Embrace the convenience of digital note-taking while enjoying the freedom and creativity of writing on paper. Simplify your academic life, stay organized, and make a sustainable choice with the Rocketbook Reusable Academic Planner.

“This planner was life changing for me! Sounds dramatic, I know, but the ability to have information I need for my day, week and month in one place that can easily be changed and updated with a damp cloth makes coordinating my workday so much easier.” -Reader Reader ( Read more reviews )

11. Out of Chaos Academic Planner

⭐️  RATING:  4.6/5 Stars | ✅   Buy it!

The Out of Chaos Academic Planner is the ultimate tool to help students with ADHD take control of their academic journey and stay on top of their assignments. Say goodbye to missed homework and poor planning with this meticulously designed planner that puts the student in charge.

The Out of Chaos Academic Planner helps students seamlessly integrate their assignments with their school and extracurricular activities. By having a clear overview of their schedule, they can effectively plan their time and ensure they have dedicated slots to complete their work. No more falling behind or feeling overwhelmed!

Designed by a leading time management expert, the Academic Planner features a unique subject tab at the front, where students can conveniently record their school subjects just once. The planner has 6 subject boxes and all-day planning, so students have dedicated spaces to write assignments and activities.

The Out of Chaos Academic Planner provides daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly page views, along with note pages before each month. It also includes study and project planning guides to enhance productivity and organization.

The planner’s vinyl covers offer durability, and the handy built-in back storage pocket provides a convenient place to keep loose papers and notes. Plus, there’s a second subject tab in the back for added flexibility and organization.

“I’m a graduate student with ADHD and it can be really hard to find planners that are helpful for me but this one has been great for me this year. I like the way it’s laid out and I also like how the paper is not flimsy like other planners I’ve had in the past. It’s a little more expensive than I usually pay for planners but it was worth purchasing one that was sturdy and laid out well” -Barrett W. ( Read more reviews )

12. Panda Planner Pro

The Panda Planner Pro is designed to help you take control of your life and achieve your goals with confidence. This planner is more than just a scheduling tool – it’s a comprehensive system that promotes positivity, focus, and balance.

With its scientifically designed layout, the Panda Planner Pro incorporates proven techniques to boost motivation and enhance productivity. It combines monthly, weekly, and daily planning sections, providing a holistic view of your schedule while allowing you to break down tasks into manageable steps.

This planner is thoughtfully crafted to help you prioritize your goals and stay on track. It includes dedicated sections for setting and reviewing your goals, reflecting on your wins and improvements, and practicing gratitude. By integrating these elements into your daily routine, you can cultivate a positive mindset and maintain focus on what truly matters.

The Panda Planner Pro is built to support your busy lifestyle. With its compact size and durable construction, it’s perfect for on-the-go use. The high-quality paper ensures a smooth writing experience, while the sturdy binding keeps your planner intact throughout the year.

One of the standout features of the Panda Planner Pro is its guarantee of improved productivity and happiness. If you don’t see results within 6 months, the company offers a full refund, showing their confidence in the effectiveness of this planner.

“This is the first planner I’ve used where I 1) actually remember to look at it each morning and 2) honestly look forward to using it. Getting started on each day feels more like a morning mindfulness practice than starting work, and by the time I’m done filling out the ‘Daily’ Page I feel excited to get started. ” -ESP_312 ( Read more reviews)

13. Bloom Planner

⭐️  RATING:  4.4/5 Stars | ✅  Buy it!

The Bloom Daily Planner Academic Year Planner is a beautiful tool to help you stay organized, inspired, and on top of your schedule. This planner is designed to make your academic journey a breeze with its functional layout and stylish details.

This planner offers ample space to plan your days, weeks, and months ahead. The monthly and weekly planner spreads provide a clear and structured view of your schedule, allowing you to easily manage your assignments, appointments, and extracurricular activities.

Featuring beautiful floral prints and inspirational quotes throughout, the Bloom Daily Academic Planner adds a touch of joy and positivity to your planning routine. Each month brings a fresh burst of color and motivation, making it a delight to open and use every day.

The Bloom Daily Academic Planner includes a variety of useful features such as a monthly goals section, weekly to-do lists, notes pages, and even space for meal planning and habit tracking. Keep track of your assignments, deadlines, and important events in one convenient place, ensuring you never miss a beat.

The durable spiral binding ensures that your planner stays intact throughout the academic year, while the protective vinyl cover (more than 20 cover styles!) keeps it safe from wear and tear. The thick, premium paper resists ink bleed-through, allowing you to use your favorite pens without worrying about smudging or ghosting.

“Love this planner and this is the second year I have purchased it. Plenty of room to track all the key details of my life.” -Sarah S. ( Read more reviews )

14. Simplified Planner

The Simplified Planner is your perfect companion for staying organized and on top of your schedule. Designed by Emily Ley for AT-A-GLANCE with simplicity and functionality in mind, this planner will help you navigate the academic year with ease.

This planner provides all the space you need to jot down important dates, assignments, and events. The monthly and weekly spreads offer a clear and straightforward layout, allowing you to see your schedule at a glance and effectively manage your time.

The uncluttered design promotes focus and productivity, helping you stay organized without distractions.

Crafted with high-quality materials, this planner is built to withstand the demands of your busy academic life. The durable spiral binding ensures that your planner stays intact throughout the year, while the sturdy cover protects your pages from wear and tear.

The AT-A-GLANCE Simplified Academic Planner is more than just a scheduling tool. It includes additional features to enhance your planning experience, such as a future planning section, reference calendars, and space for notes. Stay organized and keep all your important information in one place for quick and easy reference.

“This is the third year I have bought this planner–love it! I use the “To do” section each day to map out homeschool assignments and still have the other daily section for events and appointments. The pages hold up well for the year, too. ” -Amazon Customer ( Read more reviews )

15. Paperage dotted Notebook Bullet journal

⭐️  RATING:  4.7/5 Stars | ✅  Buy it!

A bullet journal offers ultimate flexibility in how you design your schedule, because you create the format yourself. You can design your bullet journal however you like and express yourself creatively.

The Paperage Dotted Notebook Bullet Journal is a popular notebook for unleashing your creativity and organizing your life. This versatile journal offers endless possibilities, whether you’re a seasoned bullet journal user or new to the world of creative planning.

The dotted grid pages provide the perfect foundation for bullet journaling, whether you’re tracking habits, setting goals, or creating weekly and monthly calendars. The blank index and numbered pages make it easy to navigate and find important information quickly.

Whether you’re jotting down to-do lists, sketching, or brainstorming, the dotted grid provides guidance without being intrusive, giving you the freedom to express your ideas and thoughts.

The lay-flat design ensures a seamless writing experience, allowing you to easily access any page and write comfortably from beginning to end. The sturdy binding keeps the pages securely in place, ensuring that your journal stays intact even with frequent use.

Beyond its functionality, the Paperage Dotted Notebook offers a sleek and minimalist design that complements your personal style. Whether you prefer a minimalist approach or love adding decorative elements, this journal provides a versatile canvas for your creativity.

The potential downside to bullet journals is that you have to set up each new day, week, or month by yourself, and that takes a lot of time.

If you can find an easy-to-create format that works for you, then bullet journals are a fun, customizable way to plan your schedule.  (You can find loads of bullet journal example designs online, like these at WonderfulDIY .)

But if you are a perfectionist or find that you are putting too much time into designing your days, it’s probably not the best choice.  You can spend too much time thinking about the design and layout, rather than on your tasks.

For some users, bullet journals are so flexible that it’s hard to decide how to get started. And bullet journals can get really messy, which can make them less appealing to keep using.  

However, bullet journals are great for anyone who wants total control of the design of their planner and enjoys the creative process.

“I have problems following planners that are pre-made since they end up being such a hassle so I wanted to make one of my own. I normally exclusively use grid paper for any note taking and regular ruled paper never works for me so I was reluctant about the dotted paper as I’ve never used it before. I am pleased to say that it really is a nice setup. ” -kepXcat ( Read more reviews )

Bonus Planning tools for College Students with ADHD

1. kanban board.

⭐️  RATING:  4.7/5 Stars | ✅  Buy it !

A Kanban board isn’t a traditional planner, but many people with ADHD use Kanban boards to track projects and stay on task.

A Kanban board provides a clear visual representation of tasks, priorities, and progress to help individuals with ADHD stay focused on one task at a time.

By limiting the number of tasks in progress and using color-coded cards and customizable columns, a Kanban board breaks down complex tasks into manageable steps.

The board allows for clear prioritization, helping students determine which tasks need to be addressed first and reducing decision-making overload. It offers flexibility and adaptability, allowing tasks and columns to be easily added, rearranged, or removed based on changing priorities.

The visual progress tracking on the board provides a sense of accomplishment and helps individuals with ADHD stay motivated and engaged. Ultimately, the Kanban board serves as an external memory aid, relieving cognitive load and ensuring that important tasks are not forgotten or overlooked.

This magnetic Kanban Board could revolutionize the way you manage tasks, projects, and goals, because its visual and interactive system will keep you on track.

“This product was suggested to me for planning project through completion. This set gives all the tools to get it done. One only has to follow through to success” -C. Tate ( Read more reviews )

2. Seeing My Time Instructor’s Manual and workbook

⭐️  RATING:  4/5 Stars | ✅  Buy it!

The Seeing My Time workbook and Seeing My Time instructor’s manual are valuable resources designed to support individuals with executive functioning challenges. They are meant to be bought and used together.

This books, authored by Marydee Sklar, provides a comprehensive approach to managing time and improving executive skills. With a focus on visual learning, the book offers practical strategies and tools to help individuals with ADHD, autism, and other executive function difficulties.

The books address facilitate time management, organization, and planning, as well as topics like memory, attention, goal setting, and self-regulation. These resources provide practical techniques for overcoming challenges in these areas.

With its user-friendly format and insightful content, the Seeing My Time system empowers individuals to better understand and navigate their own executive functioning, leading to increased productivity and improved daily functioning.

“This instructor’s manual from MaryDee Sklar provides an incredibly clear and effective way to coach executive function skills. Using the book feels as though you have a highly effective, brilliant, and very kind professor at your shoulder, giving you the benefit of her many years of wisdom about how to develop executive functioning skills.” -Anne ( Read more reviews )

Essential Accessories for College Students with ADHD

There are a lot of things you might forget to pack for college . If you have ADHD, consider these products to help you get organized and focus on your studies.

1. White noise machine

If you are sensitive to sounds, a white noise machine can be a lifesaver in a dorm room. If you like to study in a quiet space, a white noise machine will help you concentrate on your homework, even if you live in a noisy dorm. 

If, like many kids with ADHD, you have trouble sleeping, a white noise machine will help to dull the sounds of your roommate coming in late or people talking in the hallways.

2. Noise Canceling Headphones

Whether you like to read and study in silence or with background noise, these noise-cancelling headphones are amazing. They will help you focus on your work without being distracted by conversations around you. 

3. PaperMate Flair Felt tip pens

These are the best felt tip pens . The many bright colors will let you create notes and sketches that are engaging and easy to read and remember. They make studying more fun!

4. Sharpie Highlighters

These highlighters include a variety of colors so you can color code your highlights. There’s a clear window so you can see what you’re marking as you highlight.

5. Post-It Sticky notes

These sticky notes come in three different sizes. Post-it brand is “Super Sticky” so these notes will stick on walls, windows and doors. The bright colors will stand out and get your attention.

6. Post-It Flags

These Post-It flags or sticky tabs are perfect to mark places in a book or research paper that you want to come back you You can also use hte flags in your planner, to remind you of certain tasks or events.

7. Sticker sheets

These cute, fun stickers will help keep you organized and motivated. Avoid writing repetitive tasks buy using a sticker instead. Also get excited for holidays or special events.

8. Apple AirTag or Tile Tracker

If you think it’s at all possible that you will lose your planner (and trust me, it’s possible), attach an Apple AirTag or a Tile tracker to your planner.

You are going to have your whole day-to-day life written down in that planner, so you will want to be able to find it! 

Attach the tracker as soon as it arrives, before you’ve lost the planner!

9. Fidget Cube

You’ll have endless choices when it comes to fidget toys for people with ADHD. I recommend this fidget cube . You can transform it into more than 70 shapes while focusing on other things.

10. Timer  

To keep track of time, it helps to use a timer, like this one, with preset countdown or count-up times

You can use the timer on your phone, of course. But if using your phone distracts your ADHD brain from the task at hand, this timer will keep you on task.

11. Wall Calendar/Dry Erase Board

Use a big wall calendar or dry erase board for writing messages to yourself about the most important tasks each day, not for tracking all your to-dos. 

A big wall calendar, memo board, or dry erase board is a way to help you keep up with the biggest tasks. It’s not a replacement or a good detailed planner. 

Save big with these Amazon Prime Day deals on things you need for your dorm room !

Tips for using a planner in college if you have ADHD

1. choose the right planner.

Find the format that works best for you. Be sure the planner has enough space to write down all your tasks and deadlines. 

Choose from the list above to find that planner that is the right one for you.

2. Write down everything

⭐️ academic assignments.

Be sure to write down all the important things: tasks, assignments, due dates, deadlines, and more!

For each class you are taking, write down the due dates for each assignment and the dates of each exam. Go through each syllabus and carefully check that you haven’t missed any dates. 

This will help you create a study plan for the semester.

⭐️ Support options 

Next, write down each professor’s office hours. You might also want to write down the hours of the tutoring center. 

⭐️ Personal activities

Use your day planner for things outside of college classes. Write down any club meetings, exercise classes, or medical appointments.

Note when you need to pay bills (and if you pay them before the deadline, just mark out the reminder!) Include all your extracurricular activities. 

Writing down everything in your busy schedule will help you prioritize tasks and avoid forgetting anything important.

3. Break tasks down

Breaking larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps can make them less overwhelming. Write down these smaller steps in your planner, along with the deadlines for each step.

4. Take your planner with you

Consider your planner to be just another notebook in your backpack. It should go everywhere with you. 

Before you commit to any plans, check your planner to make sure you are free. Write down all appointments, meetings, and new assignments.

5. Check your planner regularly

Look at your planner at least three times a day. Make it a habit to use your habit on a daily basis.

⭐️ First thing in the morning

Check your planner to see what you have to do and where you have to be that day. 

Make sure you are on track for the day. See what you should be doing in the afternoon and evening (you might want to check again after dinner). 

⭐️ At night before bed

Take a few minutes before going to bed to plan the next day. Think about all the things you need to accomplish.

Look at your class schedule and any other appointments and activities. Schedule out the next day.

If you need to take anything special with you tomorrow, prep for that at night. For example, if it’s going to rain, find your umbrella. If you are going to be on the other side of campus, pack an extra snack. 

Taking time every night to reflect on the day and plan for the next day is probably the most important thing you can do with your planner. 

6. Set reminders

Set reminders for important deadlines and tasks. This can be done on your phone or computer, or in your planner itself. Make sure to set reminders well in advance to allow time to complete the task.

7. Use your day planner like a journal

Most planners have blank pages throughout the planner or at the back. Write down any ideas or important thoughts you have throughout the day. Writing down things that are bothering you can help you manage stress .

Write them down in your planner rather than relying on your memory to retain them. Every night, check these pages and review your “brain dump.”

Decide if there’s anything in your notes that you need to act on or write down as a to-do activity. You can always refer back to these notes, but you don’t have to try to remember all the thoughts. 

8. Be flexible

If using a planner is a new habit for you, be kind to yourself as you get used to the process. 

Using a planner doesn’t have to be an exercise in perfection. The pages don’t need to look perfect. And you don’t need to use it perfectly. 

Figure out what it is that is most difficult with you to stay organized with. Focus on using to solve that problem with your planner before tackling other challenges.

For example, if you have problems getting through all the things you have to do in a day, your approach will be different than if you have trouble remembering future plans.

Life can be unpredictable, and plans can change. It is important to be flexible and adjust your planner accordingly. Don’t be afraid to make changes if needed.

What are the symptoms of ADHD in college students?

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects the ability to focus, organize, and control impulses. College students with ADHD may struggle with academic performance, social interactions, and daily life activities. 

Many students are diagnosed with ADHD in elementary or middle school, but large numbers of college students are diagnosed with ADHD. 

The symptoms of ADHD in college students may vary, but they generally fall into two categories: inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.

Inattentive ADHD

Inattention symptoms of ADHD in college students may include difficulty concentrating on lectures or reading assignments, forgetfulness, and being easily distracted. College students with ADHD might also struggle with procrastination and trouble completing tasks on time. 

These students may also have a hard time following through with instructions, lose things frequently, and struggle to stay organized. 

They may also have trouble prioritizing assignments and may have a tendency to jump from one task to another, which can lead to incomplete work.

Hyperactive or Impulsive ADHD

Hyperactivity/impulsivity symptoms of ADHD in college students may include fidgeting, restlessness, and the inability to sit still.

College students with ADHD might also struggle with excessive talking, interrupting others, and engaging in risky behaviors. 

These students may also have trouble waiting their turn and may be seen as interruptive or disruptive in the classroom.

They could have difficulty controlling their emotions and may react impulsively in social situations, which can lead to interpersonal problems.

Overall, college students with ADHD may experience a range of symptoms that can impact their academic and social life.

It is important to seek professional help and consider ADHD medications if ADHD symptoms are interfering with daily functioning. A therapist or doctor can help you develop coping strategies and treatments to manage ADHD symptoms effectively.

FAQs About College Students With ADHD

Using a planner can help college students with ADHD stay organized, manage their time more effectively, and reduce the likelihood of forgetfulness or missed deadlines.

Planners with clear, easy-to-read layouts, ample space for notes and reminders, and customizable features such as color coding or stickers can be particularly helpful for college students with ADHD.

Creating a routine around planner use, such as scheduling time each day to review and update the planner, can help ADHD college students establish a habit of using it consistently.

It may be helpful for college students with ADHD to break tasks down into smaller, more manageable steps, minimize distractions, and seek support from a therapist or coach who specializes in working with individuals with ADHD.

While using a planner alone may not necessarily increase motivation, it can help college students with ADHD stay on track with their goals and commitments. This can, in turn, help ADHD students build momentum and feel more motivated as they see progress over time.

🤩 Buy my #1 Pick: the Epic Self ADHD Planner!

Final thoughts on Planners for ADHD College Students

For college students with ADHD, the right planner is essential to making it through a semester. Planners are an important tool to help students stay on top of class assignments, manage daily tasks , and remember when they’re meeting study groups. 

The most common reason planners don’t work for some university students with ADHD is that students don’t use them. Often, people with ADHD find it overwhelming and time-consuming to fill out their planner. 

Remember that all new habits get easier with time. Using a paper planner is one of those things that seems easier the more often you do it. 

As you realize the benefits of having everything scheduled in your planner, you’ll want to keep using it. 

College life can be really hard.

If you have ADHD and you are feeling overwhelmed in college, ask for help from the Office of Student Disability Services or the college counseling office.

If you’re worried about passing your final exams or your overall semester grade , seek out help from the tutoring office.

You might need to schedule some sessions with an ADHD coach or a behavioral therapist. The sooner you ask for help, the better!

No planner will do all your school work for you or get you someplace on time, but the best college student planner will help you remember what exactly you should be doing right now!

Buying a new planner is a rite of passage at the start of the school year, so buy a college planner that will work best with your mind.

Choose a great ADHD student planner to help you manage your academic calendar, your social life with new friends, and all the many other exciting aspects of college life!

All these planners are great for ADHD college students! I hope one of them will be the best academic planner for you!

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Graduate of Brown University, higher ed professional, and mom of three. Sharing everything I’ve learned about college with you.

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The MyStudyLife planner app supports rotation schedules, as well as traditional weekly schedules. MSL allows you to enter your school subjects, organize your workload, and enter information about your classes – all so you can effortlessly keep on track of your school calendar.

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ADHD in the Classroom: Helping Children Succeed in School

At a glance.

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience more obstacles in their path to success than the average student. The symptoms of ADHD, such as inability to pay attention, difficulty sitting still, and difficulty controlling impulses, can make it hard for children with this diagnosis to do well in school.

What to know

To meet the needs of children with ADHD, schools may offer

• ADHD treatments, such as behavioral classroom management or organizational training;
• Special education services; or
• Accommodations to lessen the effect of ADHD on their learning.

Explore resources available for parents and teachers to help children with ADHD adjust to changes in school.

CDC funds the National Resource Center on ADHD (NRC), a program of Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). The NRC provides resources, information, and advice for parents on how to help their child. Learn more about their services.

How schools can help children with ADHD‎

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that the school environment, program, or placement is a part of any ADHD treatment plan.

AAP also recommends teacher-administered behavior therapy as a treatment for school-aged children with ADHD. You can talk to your child's healthcare provider and teachers about working together to support your child.

Classroom treatment strategies for students with ADHD

There are some school-based management strategies shown to be effective for students with ADHD: 1

• Behavioral classroom management 1 2

Organizational training

Did you know‎, behavioral classroom management.

The behavioral classroom management approach encourages a student's positive behaviors in the classroom, through a reward system or a daily report card, and discourages their negative behaviors. This teacher-led approach has been shown to influence student behavior in a constructive manner, increasing academic engagement. Although tested mostly in elementary schools, behavioral classroom management has been shown to work for students of all ages.

Organizational training teaches children time management, planning skills, and ways to keep school materials organized in order to optimize student learning and reduce distractions. This management strategy has been tested with children and adolescents.

Teaching and supporting positive behavior‎

Special education services and accommodations.

Most children with ADHD receive some school services, such as special education services and accommodations. There are two laws that govern special services and accommodations for children with disabilities:

• The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA)
• Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973

Learn more about IDEA vs Section 504

The support a child with ADHD receives at school will depend on if they meet the eligibility requirements for one of two federal plans funded by IDEA and Section 504:

• An Individualized Education Program (IEP) , or a

What are the main differences between an IEP and a 504 Plan?‎

• 504 Plan: Provides services and changes to the learning environment to meet the needs of the child as adequately as other students and is part of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act.

Accommodations

IEPs and 504 Plans can offer accommodations for students to help them manage their ADHD, including the following:

• Extra time on tests
• Instruction and assignments tailored to the child
• Positive reinforcement and feedback
• Using technology to assist with tasks
• Allowing breaks or time to move around
• Changes to the environment to limit distraction
• Extra help with staying organized

There is limited information about which types of accommodations are effective for children with ADHD. 3 However, there is evidence that setting clear expectations, providing immediate positive feedback, and communicating daily with parents through a daily report card can help. 4

What teachers and school administrators can do to help

For teachers, helping children manage their ADHD symptoms can present a challenge. Most children with ADHD are not enrolled in special education classes but do need extra assistance on a daily basis.

Helping students with ADHD‎

Positive discipline practices at school can help make school routines more predictable and achievable for children. Children with ADHD benefit when schools use positive rather than punitive disciplinary strategies.

Close collaboration between the school, parents, and healthcare providers will help ensure the child gets the right support. Here are some tips for classroom success:

Communication

• Give frequent feedback and attention to positive behavior.
• Be sensitive to the influence of ADHD on emotions, such as self-esteem issues or difficulty regulating feelings.
• Provide extra warnings before transitions and changes in routines.
• Understand that children with ADHD may become deeply absorbed in activities that interest them (hyper-focus) and may need extra assistance shifting their attention.

Assignments and tasks

• Make assignments clear—check with the student to see if they understand what they need to do.
• Provide choices to show mastery (for example, let the student choose among written essay, oral report, online quiz, or hands-on project.
• Make sure assignments are not long and repetitive. Shorter assignments that provide a little challenge without being too hard may work well.
• Allow breaks—for children with ADHD, paying attention takes extra effort and can be very tiring.
• Allow time to move and exercise.
• Minimize distractions in the classroom.
• Use organizational tools, such as a homework folder, to limit the number of things the child has to track.

Develop a plan that fits the child

• Observe and talk with the student about what helps or distracts them (for example, fidget tools, limiting eye contact when listening, background music, or moving while learning can be beneficial or distracting, depending on the child).
• Communicate with parents on a regular basis.
• Involve the school counselor or psychologist.

More information for teachers and school administrators

CHADD's National Resource Center on ADHD provides information for teachers and educators from experts on how to help students with ADHD in the classroom.

Parent education and support

How to best advocate for your child‎.

What every parent should know

• School support and services are regulated by laws. The U.S. Department of Education has developed a "Know your rights" letter for parents and a resource guide for educators to help educators, families, students, and other interested groups better understand how these laws apply to students with ADHD so that they can get the services and education they need to be successful.
• Healthcare providers also play an important part in collaborating with schools to help children get the special services they need. 5

More information

• CHADD's ADHD Toolkits for Parents and Educators
• Health and Supportive School Environments | CDC
• Society of Clinical Child & Adolescent Psychology - Effective child therapy: ADHD
• Evans SW, Owens JS, Wymbs BT, Ray AR. Evidence-Based Psychosocial Treatments for Children and Adolescents With Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. J Clin Child Adolesc Psychol. 2018 Mar-Apr;47(2):157-198.
• DuPaul GJ, Chronis-Tuscano A, Danielson ML, Visser SN. Predictors of Receipt of School Services in a National Sample of Youth With ADHD. J Atten Disord. 2019 Sep;23(11):1303-1319.
• Harrison JR, Bunford N, Evans SW, Owens JS. Educational accommodations for students with behavioral challenges: A systematic review of the literature. Review of Educational Research. 2013 Dec;83(4):551-97.
• Moore DA, Russell AE, Matthews J, Ford TJ, Rogers M, Ukoumunne OC, Kneale D, Thompson-Coon J, Sutcliffe K, Nunns M, Shaw L. School-based interventions for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: a systematic review with multiple synthesis methods. Review of Education. 2018 Oct;6(3):209-63.
• Lipkin PH, Okamoto J; Council on Children with Disabilities; Council on School Health. The Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) for Children With Special Educational Needs. Pediatrics. 2015 Dec;136(6):e1650-62.
• CHADD. Education. Available at: https://chadd.org/for-parents/education/ . Accessed on November 17, 2023
• CHADD. Overview. Available at: https://chadd.org/for-educators/overview/ . Accessed on November 17, 2023
• CHADD. About the National Resource Center. Available at: https://chadd.org/about/about-nrc/ . Accessed on November 17, 2023
• CHADD. Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. Available at: https://chadd.org/for-parents/individuals-with-disabilities-education-act/#:~:text=What%20are%20my%20responsibilities%20as%20a%20parent%3F . Accessed on November 17, 2023
• U.S. Department of Education. Know Your Rights: Students with ADHD. Available at: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/dcl-know-rights-201607-504.pdf . Accessed on November 17, 2023
• U.S. Department of Education. Dear Colleague Letter and Resource Guide on Students with ADHD. Available at: https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/letters/colleague-201607-504-adhd.pdf . Accessed on November 17, 2023
• The American Academy of Pediatrics. How Schools Can Help Children with ADHD. Available at: https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/adhd/pages/Your-Child-At-School.aspx . Accessed on November 17, 2023
• ChangeLab Solutions. Developing Positive Disciplinary Strategies to Support Children with ADHD and Tourette Syndrome. Available at: https://www.changelabsolutions.org/product/positive-disciplinary-strategies-children-adhd-tourette?utm_source=ChangeLab+Solutions+Active&utm_campaign=0c815dc553-CMH-School-Disc_Launch_724&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_-0c815dc553-%5BLIST_EMAIL_ID%5D. Accessed on July 17, 2024

Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

CDC's Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) site includes information on symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, data, research, and free resources.

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The 18 Best ADHD Planner Templates (Printable, Digital & Notebooks)

Staying productive and organized in your personal and professional life is tough, especially if you have ADHD. Apps like GoodNotes, Notability, and Notion are great for staying on top of your chores, tasks, and projects, with flexible note-taking features and seemingly endless customization options. These ADHD planner templates are beautifully crafted and specially designed for people with ADHD.

Looking for an ADHD-friendly planner that will work with your brain? Scroll down for our favorite ADHD planners!

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Printable ADHD Planner Templates

Digital adhd planner templates.

• Paper ADHD Planners & Notebooks

Feel most productive when you plan on paper ? Check out the top printable ADHD planner templates below! Get the best of both worlds with the convenience instant downloads and the satisfaction of physical planning.

Ultimate ADHD Organizer Binder

Template Available Here

ADHD Planner for Adults

ADHD Infinite Focus

ADHD Iceberg Workbook (Digital & Printable)

Digital ADHD planners are accessible on your computer, phone, or tablet, making them perfect for planning on the go. Check out a few of the best digital ADHD planner templates below!

Digital ADHD Planners for GoodNotes, Notability & More

These ADHD planners are designed especially for GoodNotes and are among the most popular ADHD digital planners available. Future ADHD Digital Planner also works on Notability , Xodo, Flexcil, and Noteshelf.

They include 365-day annual planners with sections specially designed for ADHD, including ADHD mood trackers, ADHD tax trackers, and brain dumps . Tons of customization options, including several color schemes and hundreds of stickers, will help motivate you to keep jammin’ in your planner!

Templates Available:

• The Ultimate ADHD Life Planner
• Aesthetic ADHD Planner
• Future ADHD Digital Planner
• Adult ADHD Life Planner
• Dark Mode ADHD Planner

Notion ADHD Planner Templates

Notion is one of the best planner apps for people with ADHD, letting you connect every aspect of your life and get as granular as you need. Journal about your ADHD story, track your medication, collect useful resources, and a whole lot more!

You’ll also have access to plenty of resources to help you GTD , like Pomodoro timers , Eisenhower matrices , and brain dumps. With pages and databases for tracking everything from fitness to finances to subscriptions to cleaning , these ADHD Notion planner templates are truly the whole package.

• ADHD Daily Dashboard Template Lite | Plus (Full)
• ADHD-Friendly Student Planner

Want more? Check out our full roundup of the best ADHD Notion templates !

Physical ADHD Planners & Notebooks

We’ve cherry-picked the top ADHD paper planners on the market to help you be your productive best!

Focus and Productivity Planner – A Planner for Neurodivergent Brains

Designed for neurodivergent brains, the Focus and Productivity Planner features sections for tracking your goals, self-care, and projects. Space for brain dumps, brain hacks, daily rituals, and even password management means you’ll have all you need for a productive week. With a clean and minimal design, it’s the perfect planner for clearing your head and avoiding distractions.

Planner Available Here

Full Focus Gray Linen Planner by Michael Hyatt

Laser in on what’s important with the Full Focus Planner. Keep up with your daily goals with in-depth insights, including key motivations, streak tracking, and goal progress. Preview and review your weeks to avoid becoming swamped and succeed in boosting your productivity!

Adult Planner System

The Adult Planner System comes with 3 different pads for your weekly commitments, personal to-do lists, and day-to-day planning. Create an in-depth calendar, track errands, manage communications, and more! This planner comes with an instructional video — ideal if you’re new to paper planners.

Planner Pad Spiral Bound 3-Tier Funnel Down

This ADHD planner’s three-tier system claims to help you get organized in less than 30 days. Categorize your tasks, prioritize what’s important, and schedule time blocks to GTD! With a double wire binding and hardcover, this planner is super durable and perfect for life on the go.

The ADHD Planner – Undated Daily Weekly Schedule Organizer Journal

Available in 2 colors, this aesthetic ADHD planner includes weekly overviews and reviews, laid out simply to avoid overloading your brain. Set out your daily, weekly, and monthly to-dos, monitor your routine, and devise a brain strategy to outline motivations and avoid getting stuck.

CanPlan Mental Health Planner

The CanPlan Mental Health Planner is comprehensive, covering everything you need to be productive and manage your ADHD. As well as daily and monthly tracking, this planner includes sections for self-care planning, therapy reflections, and overcoming your fears!

Moleskine 2024 Daily Planner

Moleskine is one of the best planner brands available, and its 2024 planners are an excellent option if you have ADHD. A clear annual calendar and lined pages for daily planning provide a solid foundation for staying on top of your schedule.

Which of these ADHD planner templates best suits your brain? Let us know in the comments below!

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Unlock Success: The 2024 ADHD Weekly Homework & Executive Functioning Planner

Description

Empower your child to thrive in 2024 with this engaging and practical eBook, designed specifically for kids with ADHD. Our Weekly Homework & Executive Functioning Planner offers a fun, structured approach to help children stay organized, manage their time effectively, and tackle their schoolwork with confidence. With colorful layouts, helpful tips, and motivating prompts, this planner transforms daily tasks into achievable goals, making organization and focus a breeze. Ideal for children seeking a boost in their academic and executive skills, this planner is a key tool for unlocking their full potential and setting them up for a successful year.

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Setting up a child with ADHD for school success

Tips for working with teachers, tips for managing adhd symptoms at school, tips for making learning fun for a child with adhd, tips for mastering homework, adhd and school how to help a child with adhd in school.

School can be a challenge for students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)—but there are ways you can help your child or teen succeed in the classroom.

The classroom environment can pose challenges for a child with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD or ADD). The very tasks these students find the most difficult—sitting still, listening quietly, concentrating—are the ones they are required to do all day long. Perhaps most frustrating of all is that most of these children want to be able to learn and behave like their unaffected peers. Neurological deficits, not unwillingness, keep kids with attention deficit disorder from learning in traditional ways.

As a parent, you can help your child cope with these deficits and overcome the challenges school creates. You can work with your child to implement practical strategies for learning both inside and out of the classroom and communicate with teachers about how your child prefers to learn. With consistent support, the following strategies can help your child enjoy learning, meet educational challenges—and experience success at school and beyond.

Remember that your child’s teacher has a full plate: in addition to managing a group of children with distinct personalities and preferences, they can also expect to be teaching students with ADHD . Teachers may try their best to help your child with attention deficit disorder learn effectively, but parental involvement can dramatically improve your child’s education. You have the power to optimize your child’s chances for success by supporting the steps taken in the classroom. If you can work with and support your child’s teacher, you can directly affect the experience of your child with ADHD at school.

There are a number of ways you can work with teachers to keep your child on track at school. Together you can help your child learn to find their feet in the classroom and work effectively through the challenges of the school day. As a parent, you are your child’s advocate. For your child to succeed in the classroom, it is vital that you communicate their needs to the adults at school. It is equally important for you to listen to what the teachers and other school officials have to say.

You can ensure that communication with your child’s school is constructive and productive. Try to keep in mind that your mutual purpose is finding out how to best help your child succeed in school. Whether you talk over the phone, email, or meet in person, make an effort to be calm, specific, and above all positive—a good attitude can go a long way when communicating with the school.

Plan ahead. You can arrange to speak with school officials or teachers before the school year even begins. If the year has started, plan to speak with a teacher or counselor on at least a monthly basis.

Make meetings happen. Agree on a time that works for both you and your child’s teacher and stick to it. If it’s convenient, meet in your child’s classroom so you can get a sense of their physical learning environment.

Create goals together. Discuss your hopes for your child’s school success. Together, write down specific and realistic goals and talk about how to help your child reach them.

Listen carefully. Like you, your child’s teacher wants to see them succeed at school. Listen to what they have to say—even if it is sometimes hard to hear. Understanding your child’s challenges in school is the key to finding solutions that work.

Share information. You know your child’s history, and your child’s teacher sees them every day: together you have a lot of information that can lead to better understanding of your child’s hardships. Share your observations freely, and encourage your child’s teachers to do the same.

Ask the hard questions and give a complete picture. Be sure to list any medications your child takes and explain any other treatments. Share with the teacher which tactics work well—and which don’t—for your child at home. Ask if your child is having any problems in school, including on the playground. Find out if they are eligible for any special services to help with learning.

Developing and using a behavior plan

Children with ADD/ADHD are capable of appropriate classroom behavior, but they need structure and clear expectations in order to keep their symptoms in check. As a parent, you can help by developing a behavior plan for your child—and sticking to it. Whatever type of behavior plan you decide to implement, create it in close collaboration with your child and their teacher.

Kids with ADHD respond best to specific goals and daily positive reinforcement—as well as worthwhile rewards. Yes, you may have to hang a carrot on a stick to motivate your child to behave better in class. Create a plan that incorporates small rewards for small victories and larger rewards for bigger accomplishments.

Find a behavior plan that works

The Daily Report Card is a downloadable behavior plan, which can be adjusted for elementary, middle, and even high school students with ADHD.

Source:  Center for Children and Families

Developing an individualized education program (IEP)

An IEP is a free service in the United States that outlines unique accommodations to help your child with ADHD reach set goals in the classroom. For example, an IEP might include: 

• Extra time for your child to spend on quizzes and tests. 
• Learning plan tailored to their specific needs.
• Relocation to a classroom environment with fewer distractions. 

An IEP will also include specific, measurable goals so you can keep track of what’s working best for your child. 

As a parent, you can refer your child for an IEP. However, to be eligible, your child may need to undergo an evaluation that involves a review of their performance in classwork and observations of their behavior. A team of professionals—which might include teachers and healthcare providers—will conduct the assessment and then work with you to come up with a plan.

ADHD impacts each child’s brain differently, so each case can look quite different in the classroom. Children with ADHD exhibit a range of symptoms: some seem to bounce off the walls, some daydream constantly, and others just can’t seem to follow the rules.

As a parent, you can help your child reduce any or all of these types of behaviors. It is important to understand how attention deficit disorder affects different children’s behavior so that you can choose the appropriate strategies for tackling the problem. There are a variety of fairly straightforward approaches you and your child’s teacher can take to best manage the symptoms of ADHD—and put your child on the road to school success.

Managing distractibility

Students with ADHD may become so easily distracted by noises, passersby, or their own thoughts that they often miss vital classroom information. These children have trouble staying focused on tasks that require sustained mental effort. They may seem as if they’re listening to you, but something gets in the way of their ability to retain the information.

Helping kids who distract easily involves physical placement, increased movement, and breaking long stretches of work into shorter chunks.

• Seat the child with ADHD away from doors and windows. Put pets in another room or a corner while the student is working.
• Alternate seated activities with those that allow the child to move their body around the room. Whenever possible, incorporate physical movement into lessons.
• Write important information down where the child can easily read and reference it. Remind the student where the information is located.
• Divide big assignments into smaller ones, and allow children frequent breaks.

Reducing interrupting

Kids with attention deficit disorder may struggle with controlling their impulses, so they often speak out of turn. In the classroom or at home, they call out or comment while others are speaking. Their outbursts may come across as aggressive or even rude, creating social problems as well. The self-esteem of children with ADHD is often quite fragile, so pointing this issue out in class or in front of family members doesn’t help the problem—and may even make matters worse.

Correcting the interruptions of children with ADHD should be done carefully so that the child’s self-esteem is maintained, especially in front of others. Develop a “secret language” with the child with ADHD. You can use discreet gestures or words you have previously agreed upon to let the child know they are interrupting. Praise the child for interruption-free conversations.

Managing impulsivity

Children with ADHD may act before thinking, creating difficult social situations in addition to problems in the classroom. Kids who have trouble with impulse control may come off as aggressive or unruly. This is perhaps the most disruptive symptom of ADHD, particularly at school.

Methods for managing impulsivity include behavior plans, immediate discipline for infractions, and a plan for giving children with ADHD a sense of control over their day.

Make sure a written behavior plan is near the student. You can even tape it to the wall or the child’s desk.

Give consequences immediately following misbehavior. Be specific in your explanation, making sure the child knows how they misbehaved.

Recognize good behavior out loud. Be specific in your praise, making sure the child knows what they did right.

Write the schedule for the day on the board or on a piece of paper and cross off each item as it is completed. Children with impulse problems may gain a sense of control and feel calmer when they know what to expect.

Managing fidgeting and hyperactivity

Students with ADHD are often in constant physical motion. It may seem like a struggle for these children to stay in their seats. Kids with ADD/ADHD may jump, kick, twist, fidget and otherwise move in ways that make them difficult to teach.

Strategies for combating hyperactivity consist of creative ways to allow the child with ADHD to move in appropriate ways at appropriate times. Releasing energy this way may make it easier for the child to keep their body calmer during work time.

Ask children with ADHD to run an errand or complete a task for you, even if it just means walking across the room to sharpen pencils or put dishes away.

Encourage a child with ADHD to play a sport —or at least run around before and after school—and make sure the child never misses recess or P.E.

Provide a stress ball , small toy, or another object for the child to squeeze or play with discreetly at their seat.

Limit screen time in favor of time for movement.

Dealing with trouble following directions

Difficulty following directions is a hallmark problem for many children with ADHD. These kids may look like they understand and might even write down directions, but then aren’t able to follow them as asked. Sometimes these students miss steps and turn in incomplete work, or misunderstand an assignment altogether and wind up doing something else entirely.

Helping children with ADHD follow directions means taking measures to break down and reinforce the steps involved in your instructions, and redirecting when necessary. Try keeping your instructions extremely brief, allowing the child to complete one step and then come back to find out what they should do next. If the child gets off track, give a calm reminder, redirecting in a calm but firm voice. Whenever possible, write directions down in a bold marker or in colored chalk on a blackboard.

One positive way to keep a child’s attention focused on learning is to make the process fun. Using physical motion in a lesson, connecting dry facts to interesting trivia, or inventing silly songs that make details easier to remember can help your child enjoy learning and even reduce the symptoms of ADHD.

Helping children with ADHD enjoy math

Children who have attention deficit disorder tend to think in a “concrete” manner. They often like to hold, touch, or take part in an experience to learn something new. By using games and objects to demonstrate mathematical concepts, you can show your child that math can be meaningful—and fun.

Play games. Use memory cards, dice, or dominoes to make numbers fun. Or simply use your fingers and toes, tucking them in or wiggling them when you add or subtract.

Draw pictures. Especially for word problems, illustrations can help kids better understand mathematical concepts. If the word problem says there are twelve cars, help your child draw them from steering wheel to trunk.

Invent silly acronyms . In order to remember the order of operations, for example, make up a song or phrase that uses the first letter of each operation in the correct order.

Helping children with ADHD enjoy reading

There are many ways to make reading exciting, even if the skill itself tends to pose a struggle for children with ADHD. Keep in mind that reading at its most basic level involves stories and interesting information—which all children enjoy.

Read to children. Make reading cozy, quality time with you.

Make predictions or “bets.” Constantly ask the child what they think might happen next. Model prediction: “The girl in the story seems pretty brave—I bet she’s going to try to save her family.”

Act out the story. Let the child choose their character and assign you one, too. Use funny voices and costumes to bring it to life.

How does your kid prefer to learn?

When children are given information in different ways it can make it easy for them to absorb. While many children have a learning preference, it’s often best to use multiple types of teaching to keep kids with ADHD engaged.

• Auditory teaching involves talking and listening. Your child could recite facts to a favorite song, for example, or pretend they are on a radio show.
• Visual teaching uses reading or observation. Let them have fun with different fonts on the computer and use colored flash cards to study. Allow them to write or draw their ideas on paper.
• Tactile teaching uses physical touch or movement as part of a lesson. You could provide jellybeans for counters, for example, or costumes for acting out parts of literature or history. Let them use clay and make collages.

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Sure, kids may universally dread it—but for a parent of a child with ADHD, homework is a golden opportunity. Academic work done outside the classroom provides you as the parent with a chance to directly support your child. It’s a time you can help your child succeed at school where you both feel most comfortable: your own living room.

With your support, kids with ADHD can use homework time not only for math problems or writing essays, but also for practicing the organizational and study skills they need to thrive in the classroom.

Helping a child with ADHD get organized

When it comes to organization, it can help to get a fresh start. Even if it’s not the start of the academic year, go shopping with your child and pick out school supplies that include folders, a three-ring binder, and color-coded dividers. Help the child file their papers into this new system.

• Establish a homework folder for finished homework and organize loose papers by color-coding folders. Show your child how to file appropriately.
• Help your child organize their belongings on a daily basis, including backpack, folders, and even pockets.
• If possible, keep an extra set of textbooks and other materials at home.
• Help your child learn to make and use checklists, crossing items off as they accomplish them.

Helping a child with ADHD get homework done on time

Understanding concepts and getting organized are two steps in the right direction, but homework also has to be completed in a single evening—and turned in on time. Help a child with ADHD to the finish line with strategies that provide consistent structure.

• Pick a specific time and place for homework that is as free as possible of clutter, pets, and television.
• Allow the child breaks as often as every ten to twenty minutes.
• Teach a better understanding of the passage of time: use an analog clock and timers to monitor homework efficiency.
• Set up a homework procedure at school: establish a place where the student can easily find their finished homework and pick a consistent time to hand in work to the teacher.

Other ways to help your child with homework

Encourage exercise and sleep. Physical activity improves concentration and promotes brain growth. Importantly for children with ADHD, it also leads to better sleep , which in turn can reduce the ADHD symptoms.

Help your child eat right. Scheduling regular nutritious meals and snacks while cutting back on junk and sugary foods can help manage symptoms of ADHD.

Take care of yourself so you’re better able to care for your child. Don’t neglect your own needs. Try to eat right, exercise, get enough sleep, manage stress , and seek face-to-face support from family and friends.

More Information

• Homework Help - Tips for children with ADHD. (National Resource Center on ADHD)
• Supporting School Success - Including how to get your child organized, enlisting the school’s help, and seeking evaluation. (American Academy of Child Adolescent Psychiatry)
• Motivating the Child - How ADHD symptoms interfere with classroom expectations and how to realistically motivate your child. (LD Online)
• Step-by-Step Guide for Securing Accommodations at School - Meeting your child’s educational needs with ADHD accommodations at school. (ADDitude)
• Contents of the IEP - Guide to developing an Individualized Education Program (IEP) with school staff to address your child’s educational needs. (Center for Parent Information and Resources)
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders. (2013). In Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders . American Psychiatric Association. Link
• AACAP. Supporting School Success. (n.d.). American Academy of Adolescent & Child Psychiatry. Retrieved August 12, 2021, from Link
• Teaching Children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: Instructional Strategies and Practices– Pg 1. (2008). [Reference Materials; Instructional Materials]. US Department of Education. Link
• Gaastra, G. F., Groen, Y., Tucha, L., & Tucha, O. (2016). The Effects of Classroom Interventions on Off-Task and Disruptive Classroom Behavior in Children with Symptoms of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: A Meta-Analytic Review. PLOS ONE, 11(2), e0148841. Link
• CDC. (2019, November 7). ADHD in the Classroom . Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Link
• “Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) (for Parents) – Nemours KidsHealth.” Accessed February 15, 2024. Link

More in ADHD

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Q: “What Are the Essential Components of a Good School Planner?”

Arguably the most important things your child will learn in middle school are effective time management and organization skills. the most critical tool for building these executive functions the right planner. here it is..

Q: “My child just started middle school. What planner do you recommend?” – 5MOM

In my coaching practice, I’m pretty flexible with my advice. Meaning, I’m on the “YOU-figure-out-the-best-systems-and-strategies-to-help-you-get-stuff-done” bandwagon. But when it comes to using a planner for organization ? That’s non-negotiable as far as I’m concerned.

Students need to use some type of planning tool. It’s all well and good to know what you have to do, but a proper academic planner helps you also visualize what’s ahead so you can plan for and manage when you have time to do it.

There really is no other way. But not every planner is created equal. Here’s what to look for when scouting for the perfect academic planner:

• It follows the school year (starts in either July or August and runs through to the end of June) rather than the calendar year.
• It has a customizable subject index (instead of pre-printed subjects) where your student can write their class subjects only once. This feature will eliminate forgetfulness and frustration.

[ Free Webinar: How to Start (and End) the School Year Organized ]

• It has an ample number of subject boxes so there’s room to write all their classes. I recommend one that has at least 6! Even if they have fewer classes, your student can use one of the boxes for reminders.
• It has a grid system layout so students can see their week (and weekends!) at a glance. Weekly planner pages should line up with the subject index on a subject-by-subject basis, creating an easy method for them to record and review their weekly schedules. Bottom line? They need to see their week as a whole. So the planners that have Monday-Wednesday on one side and the remainder of the week on the other just don’t cut it.
• It should have days of the week listed horizontally across the planner. This makes recording entries simple and allows them to see assignments and due dates and creates continuity critical to developing time-management skills .
• It includes space to enter after-school activities and weekend commitments. This is where the magic happens. Once they enter all their activities and commitments, scheduled and available blocks of time will naturally appear. They can now use those available blocks to plan their weekly workload!
• It should also have monthly calendar views for long-range planning as well as recording vacation and school holidays. And an ample note section will help your child track both personal and school to-dos.

Our favorite is Order Out Of Chaos ’ “Academic Planner: A Tool For Time Management.” Reviewed by ADDitude Magazine, it allows students to see their time so they can learn to manage it.

[Free ADHD Resource: Middle School Success Strategies]

Organization guru Leslie Josel, of Order Out of Chaos, will answer questions from ADDitude readers about everything from paper clutter to disaster-zone bedrooms and from mastering to-do lists to arriving on time every time.

Submit your questions here!

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7 Core Executive Functions in Children & Teens