Many of us hope that our children will pursue a college education. If that’s you, remember that getting into college is only the beginning of your student’s journey. Transitioning to a new environment establishing healthy routines, and managing more complex schedules can be taxing for anyone; for students with ADHD, the challenge is intensified by struggles with attention, time management, emotional regulation, and other executive functions.
This may help explain the results of a study, which found that college students with ADHD were three times more likely to withdraw after freshman year than their non-ADHD peers.1
College students need to meet deadlines, study for exams, wake up in time to take those exams, take their medication, and resolve differences with their roommates, among countless other acts of adulting. Without the skills necessary to tackle those responsibilities, college life can be overwhelming.
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College Readiness Checklist
Sometimes, a student’s aspirations don’t align with their skills and circumstances, so we must help them gauge their college readiness to meet the expectations of college life. To approach this conversation objectively, review the following checklist with your child. Assign a score from 1 (strongly agree) to 5 (strongly disagree) to each item.
Personal Awareness
My student…
- Articulates learning strengths and weaknesses
- Wakes up and goes to sleep without adult support
- Has a driver’s license or uses public transportation
- Sticks to a budget
- Manages screen time
- Understands laws on consent, pornography, drugs, alcohol, and Title IX (sex discrimination protections)
- Makes doctor, dentist, and haircut appointments independently
Academic Acumen
My student…
- Advocates for their needs with teachers
- Manages email inboxes and calendars
- Navigates school portals and grade books independently
Self-Management
My student…
- Has been away from home for an extended period
- Has discussed college finances and allowance with parents
- Has displayed grit and can push through discomfort
Career Visioning
My student…
- Can articulate areas of career interest
- Has volunteered or had a summer job or internship
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No teenager will have perfected all these skills. The idea is to assess which areas need improvement so you can make a plan to build up those skills as your student progresses through high school and beyond.
Pick one area to tackle first. Create a goal that is S.M.A.R.T.: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound. An example might be: By the end of sophomore year, my student will use an alarm clock to wake up independently every day for school.
College Readiness for ADHD Students: Next Steps
- Free Download: How to Get ADHD Accommodations in College
- Read: 5 Factors That Influence Success in College
- Read: How to Prepare Your ADHD Teen for College, According to Research
Laura Barr, M.ED., is a college consultant with experience as an educator, administrator, writer, and instructional coach.
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Source
1DuPau, G.J., Franklin, M.K., Pollack, B.L., Stack, K.S., Jaffe, A.R., Gormley, M.J., AnastopouIos, A.D., Weyandt, L.L. (2018). Predictors and Trajectories of Educational Functioning in College Students With and Without Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. J Postsecond Educ Disabil. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31225528/
Updated on February 24, 2025