Navigating ADHD and Online Learning

To succeed in an online degree program, you have to practice self-motivation and discipline. For this reason, online learning isn’t necessarily the best option for everyone.  

Past and current online UC students have always emphasized that it’s important to reflect on your unique learner needs before going to school online. What about students who have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)? Is online learning a good fit for students with ADHD?

In honor of ADHD Awareness Month, let’s explore the symptoms of ADHD and how students with ADHD can navigate online learning. 

The primary symptoms of ADHD include inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. While ADHD is most often diagnosed in school-aged children and young adults, many adults have ADHD and must navigate these symptoms throughout their lives.  

For some, this is primarily at home or in the workplace. For others, their ADHD symptoms are most prevalent at school.

Although some studies have been done on online learners with ADHD, there isn’t a black-and-white verdict on whether ADHD leads to online learning struggles or successes.  

Individuals with ADHD sometimes face additional challenges when going to school online, but some aspects of online learning are uniquely beneficial to those with ADHD. What’s most important is being aware of your needs. That way you can work with your ADHD instead of against it.

Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), a nonprofit dedicated to supporting people with ADHD, echoes the sentiment above. They go on to explain that, despite the surge of online learning created by COVID-19, students with ADHD have sought out online degree programs since the early 2000s. Why?

A major motivator is the flexibility of asynchronous online coursework. Parents whose children struggled in traditional school sometimes explored online education as an alternative.

Working adults and nontraditional students have just as much to gain from exploring online learning. Some benefits of online learning for students with ADHD include:

1. Freedom to Learn at Your Own Pace
2. Fewer External Distractions
3. Flexibility—Both Time and Place

For adult students, this is a universal draw to online learning: being able to create your own study schedule around work and family commitments makes going back to school feasible. Students with ADHD also benefit from getting to control the speed at which they learn.

If your ADHD makes it harder to focus, you can take additional time to complete your coursework each week without falling behind. If you need to move at a faster pace to stay engaged, online learning lets you lean into that impulse.

Many students with ADHD have difficulty focusing while at school, especially if they’re surrounded by distractions—students chatting, construction happening outside, phones ringing and buzzing, people walking in the hallway.

Online learning can benefit people with ADHD by allowing them to learn in a less distracting environment. This might mean having a dedicated quiet study space at home, or even a specific seat at the kitchen table. Students also have more options to tailor their environment so they can concentrate, such as playing music or white noise.

For others with ADHD, their focus wanes if their routine never varies; online learning allows them to choose their learning environment and change it when needed. Even studying in a new coffee shop or library can make a big difference for those who struggle with inattention and under-stimulation.

In the same vein, a common experience for adults with ADHD is thriving under time constraints or when multitasking. Nontraditional students are often balancing online school, work, and family all at once, so they can use their ADHD as a strength in these situations. The flexibility of online learning allows them to arrange their schedule so that they have tight deadlines to boost their motivation and focus.

As mentioned previously, online learning may not be the best choice for every student. That also goes for students with ADHD.

Online learners with ADHD may face several obstacles, including:

1. Less external structure. Since people with ADHD often struggle with organization and self-discipline, online learning can be difficult due to its lack of structure and a fixed on-campus schedule.
2. Managing deadlines. If you aren’t regularly sitting in a classroom and receiving in-person reminders about due dates and exams, it can be harder to remember them—especially for those with ADHD, who tend to struggle with forgetfulness and organization already.
3. Maintaining motivation and overcoming procrastination. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed by your coursework or simply uninterested in the class, it’s easier to procrastinate or avoid your coursework online without regular face-to-face interactions.
4. Staying focused when studying independently. Some students with ADHD find it difficult to focus when they’re alone, as it can be harder to limit distractions when there’s no one around to hold you accountable.

People with ADHD are equally capable of sinking or sailing as online learners. How can you ensure that you succeed?

Here are three strategies for navigating online school and ADHD symptoms:

1. Establish a consistent daily routine that works for you. Make sure to study in a location where you can focus, and break large assignments into smaller tasks to stay motivated.

2. Build accountability into your studies. Communicate with your professors, connect with your peers, and seek support when you need it. This will help you finish strong even when your motivation is low.

3. Take regular breaks. Don’t be afraid to get up and move when you need it, especially if your focus is fading. Regular breaks also go hand-in-hand with getting enough sleep and prioritizing your physical and mental health.

Whether you’re an individual with ADHD or have struggled with school in the past, you have support at the University of Cincinnati.

With over 140 online degree programs, ranging from associate to doctoral degrees, UC can help you earn your degree in a way that works for you. Asynchronous coursework gives you the flexibility needed to balance school, work, and other commitments, while UC’s dedicated staff is here to offer resources and support every step of the way. Online students who live in Ohio can access online mental health support and counseling through UC’s Counseling and Psychological Services office.  

For online students who live outside of Ohio, TImelyCare is available 24/7 with mental health resources and support services. Completely free and 100% online, TimelyCare makes support accessible for out-of-state learners—whether it’s through mental health counseling, peer support groups, medical consultations, or self-care resources.

Are you ready to explore your online learning options? Your Enrollment Services Advisor is here to listen and help you find the right path forward. Connect with us today and get the ball rolling!