Category: ADHD

Choosing a college is an exciting milestone in the life of a young adult, but if you have ADHD, there are a few extra layers to think about. The right environment can make a significant difference in how well you thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

By understanding your strengths, identifying your challenges, and evaluating campus supports ahead of time, you can find a college that helps you reach your goals while maintaining your balance and well-being.

Awareness of Your Specific Needs

Many students with ADHD already know what helps them focus and stay organized. You may have found success with medication, therapy, or personal strategies that keep you on track. Still, college introduces new responsibilities — greater independence, a busier schedule, and the need to manage time without the structure of home or high school.

Acknowledging where you may still need support is not a weakness–it’s good self-awareness. Recognizing areas such as planning, prioritizing, organization, and time management allows you to choose an environment that helps you thrive.

Some people may have been able to manage ADHD symptoms in high school, yet find the challenges of college to make symptoms more difficult to manage. If you are concerned with your current symptoms and want to create a plan for academic success, contact Colony Care today to speak with a clinician to help you prepare and evaluate your symptoms as well as review the following considerations.

Academic and Support Services for ADHD

Strong academic support can make a world of difference in college success. As you research schools, take time to look closely at the resources available for students with ADHD or other learning differences.

Disability Services

Look for a robust and welcoming Disability Services or Accessibility Office with staff who have experience supporting students with ADHD. Confirm that the college offers accommodations such as:

• Extended exam or assignment time
• Priority registration for classes
• Access to distraction-free testing areas
• Note-taking assistance or lecture recordings

Reach out to this office before you apply or commit. Ask what documentation is needed and what their process looks like for setting up accommodations once you’re accepted.

Tutoring and Coaching

Investigate whether the college provides academic coaching, tutoring centers, or writing support. These services can help with executive functioning, organization, and assignment planning. Many schools now offer ADHD-specific coaching that helps students develop personalized systems for success.

Support Staff and Counseling

Ask if the campus has mental health professionals or ADHD specialists available for ongoing support. Access to a campus counseling center that offers therapy or workshops focused on attention, stress management, or motivation can be a valuable resource during the transition to college life.

The Right Campus Environment for ADHD

Every campus has a different feel and rhythm. Choosing the right environment can help reduce distractions and promote structure.

Class Size and Structure

Smaller class sizes can make it easier to stay engaged and receive individualized attention. It may also help to check whether the college uses semesters or quarters. A quarter system moves faster and requires quicker turnaround on assignments, while semesters allow more time to adjust.

Student Culture

Look for a school culture that feels welcoming, inclusive, and supportive. Visit the campus if possible and pay attention to whether students seem connected and comfortable. Ask current students how accessible professors are and how open they are to accommodation requests.

Living Arrangements

Housing can also affect focus and stability. Some students with ADHD prefer single rooms or smaller residence halls to limit distractions, while others thrive in shared environments that provide social accountability. Consider your personal needs for quiet, sleep, and structure when deciding.

Your Medical and Personal Considerations

Transitioning to college often means taking a more active role in managing your health and daily routines.

Health Services

Research the on-campus health center to see if it can manage ADHD medications, or if you’ll need to work with a local provider. Planning this in advance helps avoid gaps in care.

Medication Management

Before leaving home, talk with your current clinician about continuing prescriptions or transferring care to a new clinician near your school. Set reminders or use an app to keep track of refills and appointments.

Time Management and Organization

College life requires juggling classes, study time, meals, and social life — often with less external structure. Practice using planners, digital calendars, or scheduling apps before you arrive on campus. These tools help reinforce consistency and make large tasks feel more manageable.

Gathering the Right Information

When narrowing down your list of schools, go beyond brochures. Take time to see the environment firsthand and connect with key staff.

• Visit in person: Schedule a campus tour to get a sense of the atmosphere and whether it feels like a good fit.
• Meet the staff: Set up an appointment with the Disability Services Office to learn about available supports and how responsive they are to student needs.
• Ask questions: Inquire how the college handles situations when a professor may be reluctant to honor accommodations.
• Gather documentation early: Make sure your ADHD evaluations and records are current so you can register for accommodations as soon as you’re accepted.

How Psychiatric Support Can Help

Your parents, teachers, and counselors can all be valuable partners in this process, but ultimately, the college you choose should reflect your goals, learning style, and sense of belonging. Choosing a college is about finding a place where you can learn, connect, and grow — not just academically, but as a whole person.

If you’re feeling unsure about how to evaluate your options or what kinds of supports you might need, you don’t have to figure it out alone. A professional ADHD evaluation or consultation can give you clarity about the types of environments, accommodations, and strategies that will set you up for success.

Colony Care offers individualized guidance to help students understand their strengths, identify their needs, and make confident, informed decisions about college. Our clinicians can walk you through what to look for, how to navigate accommodations, and how to build a support plan that fits your goals.

College and ADHD: The Bottom Line

Having ADHD doesn’t limit your potential. It just means your college experience will benefit from thoughtful planning and the right support network. With self-understanding, preparation, and advocacy, you can find a campus where you can thrive academically and personally.

If you’re preparing for college or feeling overwhelmed by the transition, Colony Care is here to help you take the next step with confidence. Our team provides comprehensive ADHD evaluations, personalized recommendations, and practical strategies tailored to your unique needs.

Whether you’re choosing a school, navigating accommodations, or building better executive-functioning skills, professional support can make all the difference.

Request an appointment online to meet with a licensed clinician to prepare for the next phase of your life. Let us help you create a clear, empowering plan for your college success.

Sources:
additudemag.com/how-to-choose-a-college-adhd-advice/

https://chadd.org/for-parents/finding-the-right-college/#

Navigating the demands of everyday life while managing ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) can be challenging. For individuals with ADHD, maintaining a steady therapeutic routine is key to managing symptoms and creating a more balanced life. But consistency can be elusive in a world of schedules, appointments, and responsibilities!

That’s where telepsychiatry proves to be a helpful tool, offering the flexibility and continuity that many people with ADHD need to stay on track. Below, we look at some practical tips to help individuals with ADHD maintain their routines while benefiting from the flexibility of telepsychiatry – or the use of telecommunications to deliver psychiatric care.

Schedule Regular Appointments and Set Reminders

With telepsychiatry, scheduling is simpler and often more flexible. Individuals can fit therapy sessions more conveniently into their day without the need to commute. However, with ADHD, it’s essential to establish a regular time for these appointments, as consistency reinforces routine.

Setting reminders on your phone or calendar can help ensure that sessions are not missed. Apps like Google Calendar or specialized ADHD apps (e.g., Todoist, Notion) can send notifications, helping you keep your telepsychiatry sessions front and center.

Prepare a Comfortable, Distraction-Free Space

One advantage of telepsychiatry is the ability to choose your environment, but finding a place free of distractions is essential. For ADHD, where focus can be fleeting, designate a space solely for your sessions. This area should be comfortable and quiet, perhaps with minimal decorations that won’t invite daydreaming.

Before each session, take a few minutes to gather any notes, questions, or topics you’d like to discuss. These pre-session habits help ground your attention, making the most of your telepsychiatry time.

Use Visual Aids and Digital Tools for Support

Visual aids can be incredibly beneficial in organizing thoughts and tasks. With telepsychiatry, you can easily incorporate digital tools like virtual whiteboards, shared screens, or note-taking apps during your sessions. Many people with ADHD find it helpful to keep a list of talking points or “session goals” to discuss with their therapist. After each session, summarizing key takeaways in a digital note or using visual aids like mind maps can help solidify the insights and action points.

Break Down Goals into Smaller, Manageable Steps

ADHD can make it difficult to set and follow long-term goals, but telepsychiatry can help by breaking down objectives into achievable steps. Set small, actionable goals with your therapist to work on in-between sessions.

This incremental approach helps keep the process manageable and supports the habit of following through. Telepsychiatry’s remote flexibility makes it easy to check your progress wherever you are, even if you’re out of town or experiencing a busier season of life.

Embrace Telepsychiatry’s Flexibility for Consistency

One of the biggest benefits of telepsychiatry is the ability to connect with your therapist from any private location suitable for a medical visit–you no longer need to commute to a medical office. If ADHD or life’s demands make it hard to keep in-person appointments, telepsychiatry can provide a consistent structure that helps build a reliable routine. Plus, the flexibility means sessions can happen before work, after errands, or even during lunch breaks, helping you stay consistent amid other commitments and responsibilities.

Leverage Post-Session Check-Ins and Self-Care Routines

With ADHD, integrating what you learn in therapy into daily life is vital. After each telepsychiatry session, create a ritual: jot down any new insights, set a follow-up goal, or even practice a relaxation technique.

These post-session check-ins allow you to capture and reflect on key points, making it easier to integrate new strategies into your daily life. Building small self-care routines around therapy, like having a calming tea or taking a brief walk afterward, can enhance the therapeutic experience and ground you in a sense of accomplishment.

Telepsychiatry for ADHD in Massachusetts

Telepsychiatry can be a lifeline for individuals with ADHD, combining professional care with unmatched flexibility. By establishing routines, setting reminders, and creating intentional habits around sessions, telepsychiatry can help make therapy a consistent part of your life, regardless of a busy schedule.

With ADHD, staying engaged with therapy and building these routines may feel challenging, but each step taken with the support of telepsychiatry can be transformative, making it easier to manage ADHD and navigate life’s demands with confidence!

Contact Colony Care Behavioral Health today to schedule a consultation. We have clinics in Wellesley, Yarmouth Port, Arlington, and Weymouth and offer telepsychiatry for patients throughout Massachusetts. To get started, request an appointment today through our secure online form.