One of the first challenges college students encounter: figuring out how to make a successful transition from high school to college. And for students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a successful transition to college life is crucial.

Studies suggest college students with ADHD are more likely to have academic difficulties, suffer from psychological problems and have lower grades than students without the disorder.

But the good news is that school officials can help students make necessary adjustments, in order to be successful on campus, even when students don’t have family — the most common support system — close at hand.

Here are three ways schools can help ADHD students stay on track:

1. Offer support services. Since support makes all the difference, be ready to step in and fill support roles that family members previously fulfilled. Does your office of disability services offer note-taking help or extra time with tutors for students with ADHD? How about time-management lessons? Extra help in these areas can be the difference in success and failure for students with ADHD.
2. Medication. Most doctors prescribe ADHD medication with a high school day in mind, but an academic day in the life of college students doesn’t end at dinner time. Students often have early morning classes and late-night study sessions. One solution may be to adjust medication levels to match the longer academic schedules. Advise students to discuss schedule changes with their doctors.
3. Plan for refills. It’s unlikely that college students will be able to return home for regular visits to get medication refills. Encourage students to ask their family physicians for a referral to a doctor located near campus. Doing so will make getting medication refills more convenient for students.

What does your school do to help students with ADHD? Share your ideas in the comments section below.

Tags: ADHD, student health