The transition to college is often difficult for students with ADHD. In addition to the increased academic demands, students are challenged by increased demands for independence and daily life management skills.
College Application Process
The first step toward creating a successful college experience is making a good college choice. We work with high school students and their families to help them make a college selection that takes into account the student’s abilities, his or her challenges related to attention and learning, as well as needs for structure and support.
Some students may need to select a college with a strong ADHD/LD support program, while others may need less intensive support that is available at many colleges. A student’s degree of maturity and independence, interests, and temperament all need to be considered to make a good choice. Often, students with ADHD and LD need structure and assistance while going through the actual application process. At Chesapeake we can provide structure and coaching as well as assistance in writing college essays.
Support During College
Many students with ADHD or LD begin their college experience with very unrealistic ideas about the amount of support they will need to be successful. Freshmen may sign up for a course load that is unrealistic only to find that they are unable to keep up and maintain good grades. The transcript of many college students with ADHD and LD is often scattered with “withdrawals” and “incompletes” that sometimes become failing grades as an overwhelmed student misses deadlines or never completes missing work.
At Chesapeake we often work with college students to help them find the support they need — including ADD coaching, advising during registration, and counseling to help them develop better daily habits and patterns that can allow them to focus on their academic work. We also offer guidance in the choice of a college major that is a good match with interests, abilities and challenges.
Support When the College Experience Has Not Been Successful
Unfortunately, many students with ADHD and LD only seek the help they need after they have been placed on academic probation or have decided to drop out of college. We often work with such students to help them better understand the reasons for their lack of success, helping them to make good decisions — whether their choice is to return to school or to enter the workforce temporarily until they have a clearer sense of direction. With guidance and support, many college students who have experienced discouragement or failure can go on to become very successful students.
Graduate and Professional School
We also work with many college graduates who are considering graduate school, business school, law or medical school. Contrary to common assumptions, there are many students with learning and attention challenges who have the ability to pursue graduate level education. The key to success is in carefully choosing a program of study and in receiving an adequate level of support — through counseling, coaching, and/or tutoring.
At Chesapeake, we can provide a broad range of supports for college, graduate and professional students, including:
Pre-college services and supports
- Working directly with a student and the student’s family to create a list of colleges that are an appropriate match
- Coordinating our consultations with college guidance that is provided by a high school counselor or private college counselor.
- Providing structure and assistance while going through the actual application process.
- Providing assistance in writing college essays.
Services during college years
- Helping college students develop self-advocacy skills
- Advising assistance during registration
- Coaching and counseling to develop better daily habits
- Assistance in selecting a college major that is a good match for strengths and interests
- Support and guidance for students whose initial college experience has not been successful
Post-graduate services
- Coaching, guidance and support during the graduate or professional school application process
- Structure, support and guidance during work on dissertations
- Coaching to help post-graduate students stay on track and better manage their daily lives