how to get assignments done with adhd

If you consider the executive function skills involved in completing assignments under typical circumstances, the student must pay attention in class when tasks or directions are provided. In many instances, teachers post assignments in a school portal as well, or expect students to look there without mentioning them during class. In either situation, the student has to take the steps to follow through in opening up the portal itself, sifting through what is likely a lot of visual information to process, and finding the right place where the assignments are listed.

In some portals, kids have to view tasks only by class. Clicking through six classes’ worth of assignments can be time-consuming and lead to students not following through in viewing everything. Or they may accidentally skip over assignments. Once the students identify what assignments they have to complete, their next challenge often becomes either writing down the assignment somewhere, continuing to go back to the portal to view it, or effectively holding the task in their memory until it is completed (which is often not the best strategy to use anyway).

Assuming your child or teen knows what assignments they need to complete, getting started is sometimes one of the hardest tasks involved in doing homework. Procrastination, not setting aside homework time, avoidance of tasks they perceive as difficult or as tough, or not being sure how to get started, complicate the student’s ability to get moving on completing assignments. Other key issues along the way include getting distracted and stopping, forgetting to go back and finish assignments later, and even completing the assignments but forgetting to submit them online or in-person.

Needless to say, under typical circumstances, these issues can significantly impede a student’s ability to complete assignments, especially when ADHD symptoms interfere. With the COVID-19 pandemic, changing schedules, inconsistencies in expectations, more flexibility with due dates anxiety about pandemic-related issues, social isolation, and many other aspects of the situation exacerbated pre-existing issues with school. Additionally, the pandemic led to increased reliance on executive function skills. At times these skills were taxed to the limit, especially as students had to keep track of classwork and homework assignments that were not completed and submitted in-person.

Nevertheless, by identifying and implementing specific strategies, students can take better control over tracking and completing their assignments, during and beyond the current pandemic.

Whatever the situation might be as schools reopen this fall, here are some practical strategies and tools that you can customize to meet the needs of your own child or teen. As the next school year approaches, we hope that these will help your student get off to a good start by more effectively keeping track of and completing their assignments.

1 Help your student to develop a solid system for tracking assignments such as a planner or calendar. A student cannot complete assignments if they do not know which ones they are expected to complete. For some students, an online portal may serve as this resource if it is accurate 100% of the time. For some students, though, it can be helpful to keep a complete list of all tasks separately from an automated portal, because it gives them the ability to view all tasks in a format they are comfortable with.

A few ideas for a comprehensive list of assignments include:

• Added to an electronic calendar such as Google or Apple Calendar. Many homework portals allow students to sync assignments to an electronic calendar so they do not have to add assignments themselves unless tasks are not already added by teachers.
• Typed in a Google Doc.
• Recorded in an electronic homework planner such as MyHomework or My Study Life.
• Added to an electronic task list such as Google Tasks or Todoist.
• Written out by hand in a paper planner or in a notebook designated for this purpose.

2 Help your student create a realistic daily and weekly plan. Once students have a clear understanding of their assignments, it is often helpful if they map out a plan and put it in a visual format instead of just in their head. A parent may need to assist them with this. This includes breaking down larger assignments into parts or chunks.

Other ideas related to making a plan include:

• List assignments due today or tomorrow first.
• Add other assignments or parts of assignments that would make sense to work on or complete.
• Estimate completion time for assignments.

3 Help your child or teen master some basic principles of planning. This can make the difference between the student’s using a system or feeling like no system is actually going to work. Here are a few of the more common and important principles of planning:

• Estimate completion times. This is important because otherwise if one makes a plan and it is not realistic, it will be impossible to follow it in the time available for completing assignments. This pattern also often fuels the notion that plans don’t work.
• Having flexibility is important. While trying to stick to a plan, also recognizing that sometimes things take longer than planned, unexpected assignments come up, or events occur that impede homework time, and managing these items so as not to completely derail a plan is often vital to its success.
• Block out specific time for homework in general. If a student simply tries to fill some of the time available between school and afterschool activities, they may end up with enough time allotted for homework if they can motivate themselves to get started soon enough in the day. Alternatively, without allotting specific time to do homework, planning is more difficult, and a student is less likely to get assigned work completed on time.

4 Setting up an ideal workspace is important for completing schoolwork and homework assignments . If the student can have a space solely dedicated to schoolwork, that often helps maintain the school mindset. Other ideas related to this include:

• Use noise-cancelling headphones or a white noise machine if there are unavoidable distracting sounds.
• Minimize electronic distractions. Keep phone away from the student’s work area and use electronic programs to block access to websites and games that can be tempting to access during school or study time (such as Freedom, Cold Turkey, Forrest).
• Harness fidgeting by using items such as a wobble cushion/chair, yoga ball chair, desk bike or elliptical, kick bands, hand fidgets, or other items that can be used mindlessly without taking visual focus away from the tasks at hand.

5 Use available notification systems and tools to get the reminders your student needs for successfully completing and turning in assignments. Some ideas include:

• Google Calendar
• Alexa, Google Home, or another personal assistant
• Time Timer for visualizing time remaining

Carey A. Heller, PsyD , is a licensed psychologist based in Maryland. He specializes in the evaluation and treatment of ADHD and executive function issues. Learn more at hellerpsychologygroup.com . The coordinator for the Montgomery County chapter of CHADD, Dr. Heller also serves as co-chair of the editorial advisory board for Attention magazine.

Other articles in this edition.

I-PCIT: When Help Is Needed Now

Small Talk Is Painful

ADHD and Healthy Lifestyle Behavior

Coping with and Recovering from the Pandemic: Key School Issues for Kids with ADHD

Calling All Students, We Need You!

The Gender Myths (Or “Only Boys Have ADHD”)

The Myth of ADHD Overdiagnosis

The Parent As If They Are Younger Myth

“If This Is Supposed to Be Easy, Why Is It So Hard?”

Angels & Demons

What a Difference a Year Makes: The 2021 Conference on ADHD

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7 Tips for College Students With ADHD

Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, is an award-winning physician-scientist and clinical development specialist.

Verywell / Laura Porter

Qualities for Student Success

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Every autumn, thousands of students move away from the structure and safety of home to the freedoms of college life. While it's an exciting time filled with many possibilities for learning and growth, it can also be challenging academically and socially—especially for college students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).

Learn some of the challenges that college students with ADHD face, as well as strategies that can be used to overcome these obstacles. This includes learning how to study with ADHD and taking certain actions to foster friendships with other students.

Sarah D. Wright , ADHD coach and author of "Fidget to Focus: Outwit Your Boredom—Sensory Strategies for Living with ADD," explains that successful students usually have four qualities that help them achieve their goals:

• Sticking with things even when the going gets tough (perseverance)
• Ability to delay gratification and focus on the big picture
• Time management and organizational skills
• Striking the right balance between fun and work

These particular skills, however, don’t come easily to people with ADHD. One of the hallmarks of this mental health condition is impaired executive functioning . This means that students with ADHD may struggle with staying organized, sticking to a plan, and managing time effectively.

How ADHD Affects College Students

College students often face more responsibilities, less structured time, increased distractions, and new social situations—all while lacking access to many of the support systems they had in high school. Impaired executive functioning can make handling these changes a bit harder for students with ADHD, resulting in:

• Poor academic performance and achievement : Students with ADHD frequently report feeling dissatisfied with their grades. They may struggle in their classes due to difficulties starting and completing tasks, disorganization, problems remembering assignments, difficulty memorizing facts, and trouble working on lengthy papers or complex math problems .
• Troubles with time management : Students with ADHD often have irregular lifestyles that result from poor time management. This can create problems with being on time, preparing and planning for the future, and prioritizing tasks.
• Difficulty regulating and managing emotions : Students with ADHD also often struggle with social issues, negative thoughts, and poor self-esteem. Some ADHD symptoms can make friendships and other relationships more challenging while worrying about these issues contributes to poor self-image.

The good news is that these areas of executive function can be improved. For most college students with ADHD, the problem isn’t in knowing what to do, it's getting it done. Developing strategies that focus on this goal can lead to positive academic and social effects.

Tips for Succeeding in College With ADHD

There are several strategies you can use to help stay on track if you are a college student with ADHD. Here are seven that Wright suggests.

1. Take Steps to Start the Day on Time

There are three main factors that contribute to being late in the morning: Getting up late, getting sidetracked, and being disorganized.

If Getting Up Late Is an Issue

Set two alarms to go off in sequence. Put the first alarm across the room so you have to get out of bed to turn it off. Put the second where you know it will bother your roommates, increasing the consequences if you don’t get out of bed and turn it off. Set both alarms to go off early so you can take your time getting ready.

If Getting Sidetracked Is an Issue

If certain actions tend to derail you, like checking your email or reading the news, make it a rule that those activities must wait until later in the day so you can stay on task . Also, figure out how much time you need to dress, eat, and get organized, then set alarms or other reminders to cue these tasks.

Three options are:

• Use a music mix as a timer . If you have 30 minutes to get ready, the schedule might look like this: wash and dress to songs 1 to 3, eat breakfast to songs 4 to 6, get your stuff together during song 7, and walk out the door by song 8. This option works best if you use the same mix every morning.
• Use your phone or buy a programmable reminder watch so your alarms are always nearby.
• Put a big wall clock in your room where you can easily see it . If your room is part of a suite with a common room and bathroom, put wall clocks in those spaces as well.

If Being Disorganized Is the Issue

Create a "launch pad" by your door. Collect all of the things you’ll need the next day the night before (like your backpack and keys), and put them on the pad so you can grab them and go. Include a note to help you remember important events for the day, such as an appointment or quiz.

2. Work With Your Urge to Procrastinate

Though it may sound counterproductive, if you feel the urge to procrastinate , go with it. When you have ADHD, sometimes things only get done right before they're due. At that point, nothing has higher priority, increasing the urgency and consequences if you don’t do them now. These qualities are what can finally make a task doable, so work with them.

If you plan to procrastinate, it's important to stack the deck so you can pull it off. For example, if you have to write a paper, make sure you’ve done the reading or research in advance and have some idea of what you want to write. Next, figure out how many hours you’ll need, block those hours out in your schedule, and then, with the deadline in sight, sit down and do it.

Understanding your tendency to procrastinate with ADHD can help you plan ahead so you won't be left scrambling to finish projects at the last minute.

3. Study Smarter, Not Harder

Boredom and working memory issues can make studying a bit more challenging for students with ADHD. Rather than trying harder to force the information into your head, get creative with the learning process.

If you're wondering how to study with ADHD, research shows that multi-modal learning or learning via a variety of different methods can be helpful. Ideas include:

• Highlight text with different-colored pens.
• Make doodles when taking notes.
• Record notes as voice memos and listen to them as you walk across campus.
• Use mnemonics to create funny ways to remember facts.
• Stand up while you study.
• Read assignments aloud using an expressive (not boring) voice.
• If you can, get the audio version of a book you need to read and listen to it while you take notes and/or exercise.
• Work with a study buddy.

These won't all work for every person, but try mixing up your strategies and see what happens. Taking study breaks every couple of hours and getting enough sleep are also part of studying smarter, not harder.

Sleep impacts learning in two main ways. First, sleep deprivation has a negative impact on  short-term memory , which is what you use to learn the materials when you study. Second, sleep is needed to move short-term memories into long-term memory, which is what you rely on when it's time to take the test.

Sleep is important for both short- and long-term memory, making it critical for both learning new material and recalling what you've learned.

4. Schedule Your Study Time

Many students with ADHD are highly intelligent. They can pull off a passing grade, or even a good one, in high school by cramming their studies in the night before a test.

This strategy doesn't work as well in college since cramming reduces your ability to retain what you've learned long-term . This can make it harder to remember what you need to know once you enter your field of choice.

One good rule of thumb for college students is to study two to two-and-a-half hours per week for every course credit hour. Put this time into your schedule to make sure you have it.

5. Plan and Prioritize Your Time

It may sound strange, but it's important to plan time to plan. If you don’t develop this habit, you may find yourself always being reactive with your day rather than proactive—the latter of which can help you take more control over your schedule .

Set aside time on Monday mornings to develop a high-level plan for the week, using Friday mornings to plan for the weekend. In addition, do a daily review of your plan over breakfast—possibly adding pertinent details—to make sure you know what’s coming your way that day.

When making your plans, differentiate between what you need to do and everything that can or should be done. Prioritize what needs to be done first, taking care of these items before moving on to lower-priority tasks on your list.

6. Implement Strategies to Stick to Your Plan

With ADHD, sticking to a plan is often difficult. If you like rewards, use them to assist with this. For instance, you might tell yourself, "I’ll read for two hours, then go to the coffee house." Having something to look forward to can make it easier to muster through your studies.

If you’re competitive, use this personality trait instead. Pick another student in your class whom you want to do better than and go for it. If you know that you respond to social pressure, make plans to study with classmates so you won’t let them down. Or hire a tutor so you have structured study time.

Research suggests that focusing on skills related to time management , target planning, goal setting, organization, and problem-solving can all be helpful for students with ADHD.

Hiring a coach can also be beneficial. There is growing evidence, both research-based and anecdotal, that supports ADHD coaching as a vital strategy in helping students learn to plan, prioritize, and persist in following their plans.

This type of coaching is sometimes described as a form of life coaching influenced by cognitive behavioral-type therapy , which helps people develop behaviors, skills, and strategies to better deal with ADHD symptoms. It can lead to greater self-determination and direction, reduced feelings of overwhelm and anxiety, and increased self-confidence and self-sufficiency.

7. Manage Your Medication

One study found that only around 53% of college students with ADHD adhere to their medication plan. Poor medication adherence can have serious consequences, contributing to poor academic performance and decreased graduation rates. 

Steps you can take to stay on top of your ADHD medications include:

• Find a local healthcare provider : Regularly monitoring your medications helps ensure that you are at the best dosage for you. If you're going to school a long way from home, find a local healthcare provider to meet with regularly. You can also schedule regular visits with your university's health services.
• Find a local pharmacy : Determine where you'll order and pick up your medication. Set reminders on your phone so you know when to refill your prescription. You may also be able to sign up for text reminders.
• Store medications safely : Abuse of ADHD medications is on the rise on college campuses, even though this can result in high blood pressure, increased feelings of anger and distrust, trouble sleeping, and even strokes. Keep your ADHD medications in a safe location and never share them with others. 
• Set reminders to take your medication : If you are struggling to take your medication as prescribed, consider using a reminder app or setting reminders on your phone.

Research points to medication as the most effective and available ADHD treatment option. However, it's important to talk to your care provider to decide the best treatment approach for your individual situation and needs.

Social Strategies for Students With ADHD

Interpersonal challenges are also common for college students with ADHD. While being out on your own for the first time can be exciting, this mental health condition can lead to difficulties in building and maintaining friendships .

CHADD—which stands for Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, an organization funded by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—offers these tips:

• Remember that you aren't the only one who feels the way you do . Other students may be feeling just as excited (and overwhelmed) as you. During orientation, help them feel more comfortable by being friendly and listening when they share their concerns.
• Look for opportunities to meet and interact with others . You might make new friends in class, in your dorm, at the school cafeteria, or at other places on campus. View each of these locations as an opportunity to expand your social network .
• Find activities or clubs to join. Colleges and universities are great places to explore hobbies and meet people who share your interests. Check out bulletin boards on campus or look at your school's website to learn more about the options that are available. 
• Stay in contact with your current friends . Don't let your high school friendships fade into the background just because you're at college. While you're busy with new things and might not see each other every day, stay in touch by phone, text, social media, or email. Your current friends can be great sources of social support .

A Word From Verywell

Being proactive and getting strategies in place early on can increase your success as a college student with ADHD, both academically and socially. This can help make your transition to college life a happy, successful, and productive time.

Get Help Now

We've tried, tested, and written unbiased reviews of the best online therapy programs including Talkspace, BetterHelp, and ReGain. Find out which option is the best for you.

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By Keath Low  Keath Low, MA, is a therapist and clinical scientist with the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities at the University of North Carolina. She specializes in treatment of ADD/ADHD.

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I Have ADHD. Here Are 9 Productivity Tips That Really Help Me 

By Isabelle O'Carroll

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Even before I was diagnosed with ADHD, the question “have you tried writing a list?” would set me on edge. I’m all for innovative productivity hacks, and for well-meaning neurotypical people, getting something done can often be as easy as writing a list, but as Edward Hallowell, M.D., psychiatrist and ADHD expert tells SELF, things aren’t that simple for people with ADHD—which, by the way, includes him: “Most of the organizational strategies we implement fail because they’re boring,” he says. And people with ADHD, he explains, cannot tolerate boredom. That intolerance leads to “supercharged version of procrastination, to the point of jeopardizing work and relationships.”

I use many of these ADHD-specific tricks and strategies to help me overcome the struggles—and also make the most of the benefits—of this neurodevelopmental disorder , but they’re not necessarily just for people with ADHD. You might find these tips more helpful than ever right now as most of us are dealing with some pretty big changes to our routines while we practice social distancing during the new coronavirus pandemic. Given our new day-to-day and work environments, it’s a great time to integrate some tips and tricks that can help you focus.

1. Make the first thing you do each day something relaxing and pleasurable.

Dr. Hallowell describes the dread for many people with ADHD of getting started on work or a project as a “colossal boulder of negative thinking.” The good news, he says, is that “you can turn that boulder into a pebble” with some smart strategies, especially ones that directly address that cycle of negative thinking.

If you don’t already, start your day with something pleasurable to attenuate the dread. It could be a nice breakfast —I like a healthy porridge with berries and seeds—some morning exercise, or a video chat with a friend or colleague to help you get fired up about your project or task. I keep a “Nice Things” folder on my phone, where I paste any kind responses to articles and compliments about my work from colleagues. It’s really useful to read through on mornings when I want to start by reminding myself that I can accomplish anything.

2. Break down your tasks into tiny subtasks.

Once you’re ready to get started, start small. Like, very small. You can make just about any project more manageable by chunking it out into smaller components and setting yourself deadlines for each of those parts.

And I’m talking about setting a really low bar to just get yourself started, so one tiny task can be “open the document” or “do 10 minutes of research.”

You can also lean on apps like Things or Todoist to help you structure your tasks and projects. I use Google Keep’s checklist because it feels satisfying to check things off.

3. And make sure your first tiny task is one that you have a 100% chance of succeeding at.

Susan C. Pinsky is a professional organizer and author of Organizing Solutions for People With ADHD. She recommends organizing your day’s tasks intentionally so that when you need a win, there’s one right there waiting for you. “Try to structure your workday so you do the easiest thing first,” she says. “You’re already giving yourself a success. You’ve accomplished something, and now that big thing that sits in front of you isn’t so overwhelming.” Ceremoniously crossing something off my to-do list gives me a bit of a buzz and helps me move on to the next thing.

4. For every item on your to-do list, quickly jot down why it’s a priority.

The things that motivate neurotypical people don’t always work for people with ADHD. As Dr. Hallowell explains, motivation can be hard to come by, especially for tasks that are intrinsically boring, tedious, or uninteresting. Just because you know you have to get something done doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll be motivated to actually do it. One thing that helps me is making sure I know exactly why I need to complete a task. I write a quick note to myself for these kinds of tasks, but you can also schedule a quick catch-up with a coworker or supervisor to give yourself a refresher on why something needs to be completed. My other go-to strategy: I will often condense an email or project brief into bullet points and paste them at the top of whatever document I’m working on so I don’t forget any essential tasks or priorities.

5. Overestimate how long tasks will take.

Having a fundamentally different sense of time—specifically not being able to estimate and record the passing of time—is part of many people’s experience of ADHD. When their perception of time differs from the neurotypical-based deadlines and timelines most people are required to stick to, people with ADHD can find themselves struggling. Dr. Hallowell explains that for many people with ADHD, there’s “now” and “not now.” When, for example, a paper is due next Thursday, a person with ADHD might tag that as “not now” and put it on the back burner until it’s too late to get it done in time. All of a sudden “now” is almost here and you’re panicking.

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For Pinsky, the solution to this is to overestimate how long things will take. “If you think each of these jobs is going to take an hour, I would schedule two for each of them.” Building a gentle disaster mindset can help you have some margins in case things run over.

I’ve found that having an analog clock helps me perceive time passing; set alarms on your phone, reminders for appointments and meetings before they start. Remember those big tasks you chunked out? You can set those in your phone or calendar too; it’s how I avoid any deadline disasters.

6. Find ways to make boring tasks novel and fun.

Again, when a task isn’t intrinsically rewarding, it can be difficult for people with ADHD to feel motivated to do it. For Dr. Hallowell, a balance of fun is key to staying on task. “[Combine] situations that are highly structured and full of novelty and stimulation. Too much structure and it gets boring, too much novelty and it’s confusing.”

Make the most of this need for stimulation by writing your to-do list down using colorful (and therefore visually stimulating) pens and paper, or as Pinsky advises, keeping a selection of Post-its in your workspace and around the house. “Write [your task] on a colorful Post-it and slap it on the door. That way, tomorrow when you leave the house, that Post-it is staring you right in the face. The key is to have a variety of those colors, because if it’s always the same color, your eye isn’t going to see it,” she says.

You can also introduce novelty by varying your work environment. Once things have gone back to normal and we’re not practicing social distancing , you can try booking out a meeting room for two hours or visiting a café in the morning to get through tedious emails and admin work. I like to work in quiet libraries. But since those aren’t options right now, you can opt to change things up in other ways. I like to speed up boring tasks by listening to a podcast while I do them, or draw out a colorful checklist for repetitive tasks so I can clearly see my progress while also injecting some festivity into my day.

7. Get strategic about minimizing distractions.

Having ADHD can already mean that you have problems focusing so added distractions can be debilitating to people with ADHD. “[If someone with ADHD] gets distracted by something, they have to come back and start again, it may take them three or four or five rounds to actually complete the task,” Pinsky says. That’s multiple times of going through the stress of beginning the task, so the task itself becomes incredibly difficult to complete.

There are products and apps out there that can really help you reduce (or simply avoid) distractions in your environment. Noise-cancelling headphones have been a total lifesaver for me. I also use Strict Workflow on my laptop, which blocks social media for 25 minutes at a time. After 25 minutes an alarm rings, which means it’s time for a five-minute break so I can look at social media if I want to. Using this app has really helped minimize social media as a distraction. I also listen to Brain.FM , which is music that is supposedly engineered to help you focus, and you can try it out for free. I find that the ambient, lyric-free music keeps my brain occupied enough while working that I don’t need to seek out other distractions. The combination of the two is usually a great way for me to kick-start getting into the rhythm of my work.

8. Find someone who’s willing to be your accountability partner.

After removing all those distractions and maybe even removing yourself from environments where lots of people and/or chitchat is happening, you might start to feel isolated. It’s still important to stay connected, as Dr. Hallowell explains. “You really need to work with a team, you have to get encouragement, don’t isolate yourself. It can be anybody, a teacher, a spouse, a dog, any form of positive connection.” And the good news is that you can do all this using the internet so you don’t even have to worry about compromising your social distancing just to get some time with someone.

If something is a huge pain point, such as sitting down to pay your bills, ask a friend or partner if they want to meet up virtually and pay bills together. As a kid I got my sister to sit in my room when I was trying to have a tidying session; if I stopped she’d start singing loudly! We can’t do that together right now, but we can certainly do it over FaceTime!

Depending on your workplace, you might also be able to lean on coworkers, telling them you’ll send a draft or provide a project update by a specific deadline. If that doesn’t feel appropriate, you can ask a friend to be a deadline stand-in, letting them know you’ll send them a screengrab of your progress on a project by a certain deadline. I’ll sometimes talk through the steps in a project or bigger task with a friend to make sure I’m on the right track and have broken it down enough.

9. Schedule a “should-less” day regularly.

Let’s be real, living with ADHD can be exhausting at times. It’s great to strategize and maximize your productivity, but you also want to avoid burnout. Make sure you’re scheduling time—maybe a weekend day, if possible—where you don’t have anything scheduled and you can just be guided by your desires and energy levels.

I take a “should-less” day every now and then; it’s a great way to recharge my batteries. It doesn’t mean I don’t do anything, but it removes the stress of having anything hanging over me. On that day, I don’t schedule anything. Instead, I let my instincts guide me throughout the day. I might sleep in, read a book for an afternoon, or take a walk. When we’re no longer required to practice social distancing I’ll also go back to my older routine of visiting my ceramics studio or meeting up with a friend for brunch. I’m so often hypervigilant about letting people down with my ADHD forgetfulness, should-less days help me have a break from accountability for a bit.

• Hiring a Coach for My ADHD Transformed My Life and Productivity
• 10 Things ADHD Is—and 3 It Isn't
• Why Are So Many More Children Being Diagnosed With ADHD Today?

SELF does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Any information published on this website or by this brand is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional.

With ADHD Homework Can Be Tough: Here Are 3 Strategies For Success

If your child has ADHD, it goes without saying that you’re committed to helping them become successful and resilient, and overcome their academic challenges.

But on average, students with ADHD say that 80% of their interactions at school are negative ones.

Whether that’s because of how they feel about themselves, their surroundings, their peers, or just school in general… it means they spend the majority of their day feeling negative.

And there’s one issue in particular where this negativity tends to manifest itself most: homework .

With ADHD, homework can become a real struggle. But what we also know, is that it’s not a problem that can’t be overcome if we take the right steps.

In our opinion, there are three keys to success for students with ADHD:

• Know how ADHD manifests itself in your child
• Be the “Charismatic Adult”
• Set them up now with healthy homework and study habits

And in this post, we’ll cover different ways ADHD manifests itself and approaches to homework and studying that will help get them moving in the right direction and turn a negative school experience into a positive one.

1. Know how ADHD manifests itself in your child

It is essential to know how ADHD affects your child before you can choose the best approach to help them succeed academically.

More often than not you hear ADHD and you think of disruption. However, that is not always the case, especially when it comes to girls. Girls with ADHD may actually tend to be more shy and withdrawn. This is because when their minds wander away from the task at hand, they’re more inclined not to want you to know they’re not paying attention. As an avoidance strategy, it’s more straightforward to stay quiet.

Alternatively, with boys (generally speaking of course) the research shows they tend to manifest their ADHD symptoms more externally , whether through running around, interrupting vocally, or actively misbehaving. But it would also be a mistake to characterize all boys with ADHD in this way because there are many who don’t exhibit this behavior.

The bottom line is this:

Every case is different. You know your child. So it’s essential to try to best understand your child’s strengths and weaknesses when it comes to schoolwork to determine which strategies are appropriate , and which don’t seem relevant.

2. Be the “Charismatic Adult”

Studies show the number one differentiator between students with behavioral, attention, or learning disorders who succeed and those who do not is the presence of a “charismatic adult’ in their life. As psychologist and researcher Julius Segal notes:

“From studies conducted around the world, researchers have distilled a number of factors that enable such children of misfortune to beat the heavy odds against them. One factor turns out to be the presence in their lives of a charismatic adult– a person with whom they identify and from whom they gather strength.”

Reflect on your own experiences…

How did you get to where you are today both personally and professionally? Did you have a charismatic adult in your life who encouraged and believed in you?

Being this figure in a child’s life does not mean being Mother Theresa, but it does require taking an interest in the child and their strengths rather than focusing on his or her shortcomings . And when mistakes and failures do happen, it means helping them work through them constructively so that they walk away from the situation knowing more than they did before and feeling positive about the experience.

3. Set them up now with healthy homework and study habits

You’ve heard them all before…

“It’s so booorrrrring…”

“I don’t have any homework.”

“I’ll start after I finish my video game.”

For most kids with ADHD homework and studying is filled with dread and excuses, but it doesn’t have to be. Let’s break it down by topic so we can really hone in on how to help develop these essential habits that will carry them to success now, and later in their academic careers.

ADHD and Procrastination

Your child constantly procrastinates, even after dozens of reminders. How can you get him more excited about homework and completing it earlier?

Step 1: Have a predictable schedule

Allow a thirty-minute break after school before getting started on homework. When kids know what to expect they are less likely to procrastinate.

Step 2: Consider the “Tolerable 10”

Set a timer for just 10 minutes and encourage them to work as hard as they can until the time runs out. This helps give them a push to get started, and after the 10 minutes is up, they can either take a short break or continue for another round.

ADHD and Time Management

Time management is the enemy of kids with ADHD. Your child is smart, but when it comes to completing assignments, they can take hours longer than the instructor intended. How do you help them minimize distractions and encourage productivity?

Step 1: Make a game plan

Break homework or projects into smaller more manageable tasks. Check-in, in and make a big deal when he’s accomplished one or a set of tasks. For many kids, time is too abstract of a concept. Consider using candy or baseball cards and letting him know he’ll be rewarded when the task is complete.

Step 2: Help prioritize

Ask what they will do first to help them get started. Make sure they understand the directions and can do the work. Then, let him go at it alone but stay close by so you can help if needed.

Step 3: Use a timer Once you have broken up the assignment into more manageable pieces and helped prioritize their work, set a timer and encourage them to work in short spurts (see the “Tolerable 10” above). Then slowly make the time longer, but never more than 30 minutes.

ADHD and Missing Assignments and Instruction

Either they miss the teacher’s instructions, forget homework and books, or sometimes just ignore assignments entirely. How do you ensure homework and assignments are getting done without seeming overbearing ?

Step 1: Trust but verify

Set expectations, rewards, and consequences for completing homework and assignments. Then verify with an online grading portal if one is available. Communicate with teachers if necessary, but always do this with your child so that they’re involved in the process.

Step 2: Tie privileges to effort

Link things like screen time and hanging out with friends to the amount of time spent studying and doing homework, rather than outcomes like grades. Kids can see the direct correlation between working and learning, and a benefit… rather than feeling overwhelmed by the idea of getting better grades, when they may not know exactly how.

Step 3: Talk to teachers about emailing assignments and homework

Kids with ADHD and executive dysfunction may benefit from having the option to submit homework online or through email. They can focus on one thing at a time, and submit it right then and there, rather than having to manage to organize it, and bringing it to school and turn it in.

ADHD and Distractions

Pulling your child back into study mode from a break or video games seems near impossible. So how do you pull them away from those distractions and focus on homework?

Step 1: Put a limit on breaks

Kids may need a break after a long school day. For elementary-aged kids, a 30-minute break after school should do the trick. Older kids may need more time to “chill” after school is out, but ideally, assignments and studying should start before dinner time. Use this to have them indulge in their break time, while still setting boundaries.

Step 2: Control screen time

Limit breaks to outdoor activities or things that don’t involve a screen. Video games and social media are specifically designed addictive and hard to detach from. So allow a mental break, but don’t let them make things harder on themselves than they need to be by getting wrapped up in something that’s hard to pull away from.

ADHD and Homework: What’s next?

Now, after all of this you may be asking yourself:

“If I do all of this will my child eventually be ready for college and academic independence?”

The best way to ensure your child will be ready for the independence they crave is to back off slowly, but stay supportive.

Set up weekly meetings, maybe every Sunday before the school week starts, and discuss upcoming assignments and offer support. You’ve guided them through this far, and it is time to let them take the wheel… just make sure they don’t head off in the wrong direction.

If you would like to discuss how one-to-one tutoring or executive function coaching could help your child, we invite you to schedule a time to speak with one of our education specialists by clicking below.

How to Succeed With ADHD

Seeking challenges, and potentially failing, helps those with adhd..

Posted April 4, 2024 | Reviewed by Michelle Quirk

• What Is ADHD?
• Find counselling to overcome ADHD
• Messaging around failure for those with ADHD creates a false narrative that failure is inevitable.
• Seeking challenges increases confidence and the ability to try more difficult things.
• Adopting a growth mindset makes failure an opportunity to learn and grow as opposed to a reason to give up.

The world does not understand the incredible potential of those with attention -deficit/hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD ). Unhelpful ableist messaging, misunderstanding, judgment, and disability-related discrimination can cause those with ADHD to experience intense emotional responses to criticism or rejection. This stands to reason: One study shows that, in school alone, a child with ADHD could receive 20,000 corrective or critical comments by their 12th birthday. It’s understandable that the fear of failing and hearing more of this messaging would hold children and adults with ADHD back from trying new things or taking on challenges they fear they may not succeed at.

Take the Risk

Too many highly gifted and skilled people with ADHD are afraid to take healthy risks, which further affirms the unhelpful belief that when they face rejection, they won’t be able to cope. They manifest the very thing they fear—failure—by never trying. So, what is one of the most effective ways to overcome rejection sensitivity ? Practice failing. In the viral TED Talk, “ What I learned from 100 days of rejection,” entrepreneur Jia Jiang shared his radical approach to overcoming rejection sensitivity by purposely trying to be rejected for 100 consecutive days. Many people did reject him, but to his surprise, some said yes to even the most off-the-wall requests (such as asking employees at Krispy Kreme to turn his donuts into the shape of the Olympic rings). The payoff in the end? He learned that not only could he tolerate rejection but also that it did not have to hold him back from things he wanted in his life. While 100 days of rejection may seem extreme, those with ADHD can apply this idea by doing the following four steps:

• Think of something you’ve been uncertain about trying (e.g., starting a new hobby, applying for a job, asking out a love interest).
• Set a day and time you will go for it. (Adding it to your calendar is a key anchor point for remembering to follow through with your goal.)
• Detach from the outcome and see success as the effort only as opposed to the result.
• Aim to fail daily, as failure is a sign you are trying bigger and more challenging things.

Most people who accomplish amazing things fail countless times before they succeed. The story of Thomas Edison, about whom author Thom Hartman coined the term “The Edison Gene ” to describe his exemplary traits and gifts of ADHD , is a famous example of someone experiencing multiple failures before hitting ultimate success. If it were not for Edison’s penchant for failure, we may not have the lightbulb.

Failing “Forward”

An important aspect to being successful at failing forward toward success (which, odd as it sounds, is quite possible) is your outlook on failure. If you view failure through a growth mindset by believing your achievements are derived from dedication and work as opposed to pure ability, then most success must first be preceded by failures and pitfalls.

Every “swing and a miss” serves as information on how to aim more accurately next time. For those with ADHD, even going to bat can be overwhelming, especially if there is a lack of hope that they will succeed. The good news, according to Chan M. Hellman, professor of social work at the University of Oklahoma and director of the Hope Research Center, is that hope is not an innate feeling but rather a way of thinking that can be learned. This is a powerful concept when overcoming ADHD failure schema (a maladaptive belief that failure is inevitable) if knowing that changing your thoughts can increase your sense of hope. Being hopeful is something you can practice and is a powerful way to encourage the ability to master failing forward toward your goals .

To overcome failure schemas and master the art of failing “forward” toward your goals:

• Pay attention to stories you tell yourself. If they are shame stories, share them, as shame theory asserts that shame loses its negative impact when it is expressed.
• Pay attention to sensations you experience in your body. If you notice tension when taking risks or attempting challenging things, try methods to relax into the discomfort such as breath work or other grounding techniques.
• Try to sustain a compassionate growth mindset, where you focus on what you’re learning from your mistakes instead of chastising yourself for making them. You are bravely stepping out there: Be proud.

Fail Together

Finally, celebrate the wins and the losses as early as childhood . In James Clear’s book Atomic Habits, he explored evidence-based strategies that successful people strive to live by. One suggestion was to encourage children to try big things, share their failures, and make doing so a normalized part of family culture and conversation. That way, you not only help a child with ADHD work toward their goals but also encourage collaboration and problem-solving to seek out the necessary accommodations and alternative routes toward success the resilient , creative ADHD brain is especially capable of.

Portions of this post were adapted from my books Powered by ADHD: Strategies and Exercises for Women to Harness Their Untapped Gifts and Surviving Suicidal Ideation From Therapy to Spirituality and the Lived Experience .

Clear, J. (2018). Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones. New York, New York, Avery, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Hartman, T. (2005) The Edison Gene: ADHD and the Gift of the Hunter Child. Park Street Press.

Hamilton, Cary McAdams, and Sarah M. Moran. "Play Therapy Groups with Neurodiverse Children." Implementing Play Therapy with Groups . Routledge, 2021. 220–230.

Fröberg, Zandra, and Shiven Holmgren. "Shame and Support: How People Experience and Cope With Shame." (2020).

Amelia Kelley, Ph.D., is a trauma-informed therapist and author, and a psychology professor at Yorkville University.

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How to Identify and Diagnose Adult ADHD

The signs and symptoms of adult ADHD can be hard to spot. This makes awareness and diagnosis important for people struggling with the condition. Britt Holmes, PsyD , an ADHD assessment expert at University of Utah Health and Huntsman Mental Health Institute, offers her advice on when and how to seek medical advice, the role of psychological assessments, and the misconceptions that may delay diagnosis and treatment.

Episode Transcript

Interviewer: For people who may suspect that they have attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, the path to recognizing it and diagnosing it in adulthood can often be filled with challenges. Today, we're uncovering some of the steps and the struggles and triumphs that are involved in getting diagnosed with adult ADHD.

We're joined by Doctor of Psychology Britt Holmes , with University of Utah Health and Huntsman Mental Health Institute and an expert in the field of ADHD assessment.

Now, Dr. Holmes, what are some of the key symptoms that a patient might be experiencing that might warrant further investigation and maybe even a diagnosis of ADHD?

Recognizing Adult ADHD Symptoms and Diagnosis

Dr. Holmes: For an adult with concern for ADHD, some of the most prominent symptoms will be things that the person experiences internally: becoming easily distracted, having trouble paying attention, having trouble following through with a task or activity, spacing out during a conversation.

Some may be more evident to others, like if you can't finish a task at work, for example, or you're very fidgety, or you interrupt other people or blurt things out.

If you're someone who may have noticed some of the problems with inattention or getting easily distracted yourself, or then if you also have others in your life who are noticing some of these outward signs, those may be situations to consider whether that is actually a disorder, a condition, or then the other question, is that a result of life stress or day-to-day situations where we may have more or less trouble with those things.

Diagnostic Process for Adult ADHD

Interviewer: So if a person or a listener maybe suspects they might have something like this, they're experiencing some of these symptoms, what is that journey to diagnosis? Where does it start, and how do you get to that final step?

Dr. Holmes: I think the first step is speaking with your doctor. If you already have a mental health provider, you're seeing a therapist, a psychiatrist, or a nurse practitioner, that is where I would start.

If not, I would start with a primary care doctor and say these are the symptoms that you notice or the things that are causing you challenges. Coming to your healthcare provider with a list of the symptoms you notice, when they're causing problems, what makes them better or worse, that's going to be really crucial information for them in helping determine, "Is this actually a disorder? Is there a life stress cause? Is this ADHD or is it something else?"

They'll also be considering things like the possibility of a sleep problem causing inattention. We all have more trouble paying attention when we haven't gotten a good night's sleep. If we're stressed about something, if we have pain, if we have a medical condition that's causing pain, that can make it very difficult to pay attention too.

And so considering those pieces will be very important for your doctor or therapist in exploring the possibility of ADHD.

They may have someone complete different checklists or forms that rate their symptoms. Often, it's on a scale of 1 to 4, how common the person experiences that.

Some of those may be asking questions about childhood. So it's really helpful if you can provide any information about whether you had these problems growing up.

Maybe you even have teachers who made comments to your parents and your parents can provide that information. "Yes, teachers were always saying that you had these difficulties, or you struggled in certain subjects because you couldn't pay attention." That is all very, very helpful to look at the possibility of ADHD and differentiate it from other conditions. 

The final step that isn't always needed, but sometimes can be helpful, would be getting a formal assessment, doing neuropsychological tests that are aimed at looking at attention or memory, and your overall cognitive strengths and weaknesses.

It's not necessary for most people, and it does take a while to do. Often there are long waitlists, but in some cases, that's a necessary part to help determine if someone may have ADHD. 

Common Barriers to Diagnosis: Misconceptions and Challenges

Interviewer: Got you. So you start your conversation with one of your providers and there are a lot of different steps. And again, you don't need that formal assessment necessarily.

But when you're trying to get a diagnosis as an adult, sometimes there can be misconceptions, challenges, and certain barriers that can stop a person from actually getting the diagnosis that could get them the help they need. What are some of these barriers and what are some of the ways we can maybe overcome them?

Dr. Holmes: I think the number one barrier is that there are providers who believe that certain tests or assessments are mandatory to make a diagnosis. It's a common misconception, but it can lead people to end up on a lengthy waitlist before they can get even a diagnosis, and then often they're waiting after that to get treatment.

I understand the hesitance of some providers. They don't want to prescribe certain medicines unless they're absolutely sure. Mental health providers, because they have more expertise in general, are going to feel more confident in a diagnosis without extra testing than a primary care provider.

Costs can be a factor. Some insurances will cover certain types of assessments or visits with your doctors, but not others. They may cover certain medications and not others for barriers to treatment. 

Self-Advocacy and Seeking Second Opinions

Interviewer: As a patient, sometimes it feels strange when a doctor tells you one thing, but maybe your research says otherwise. I mean, what role does, say, self-advocacy kind of play when we are talking about getting the diagnosis and treatment that you need?

Dr. Holmes: I do think it's important to advocate for yourself as a patient in any situation in which you're feeling you have a problem and you may feel dismissed. Maybe the doctor isn't as familiar with adult ADHD. And so getting a second opinion in that case may be really helpful.

If a doctor doesn't feel that it's ADHD and it isn't, and that doctor is providing an accurate, comprehensive diagnosis, they're talking with you about all your symptoms, they're really hearing you try to sort through this, that doctor should also be explaining the reasoning. 

And so if you feel that you are not getting kind of as much information about why the doctor does not think that this is ADHD, I think it's important to advocate for yourself and ask those questions to better understand.

Maybe the doctor is saying your depression is actually the cause of attention problems. Depression can mimic ADHD. We see fidgeting with depression sometimes. We see trouble concentrating. Anxiety, maybe your doctor says it's that you have anxiety. You have a different condition, and that's the root cause. I'd mentioned sleep. You have a sleep problem, something else.

But it's important for you to understand that reasoning, and so I would ask for that. Ultimately, if you feel what the doctor was explaining didn't make sense to you, or you felt that they maybe didn't actually hear all of the concerns that you had, maybe they didn't understand it the way you do, seeing a second provider to get a second opinion may be a good idea.

Post-Diagnosis: Exploring Treatment Options and Next Steps

Interviewer: So now the patient has got their diagnosis. What's next?

Dr. Holmes: I think it's very different for different people. Some people want to pursue some type of treatment. That might be consideration of medicines, and they would want to talk with their doctor, whether that's the primary care doctor or someone who's a psychiatric specialist, psychiatrist, or nurse practitioner.

Some people might be more interested in therapy to learn techniques to manage ADHD. That could be done one-on-one with a therapist or in a group, and that can be more helpful.

And I recommend thinking through those things or talking with a professional, even if someone wants to talk about medicine, because many of those strategies and techniques will be helpful even with a medicine that may also provide benefit.

For some people, the next step would be getting accommodations in school or work if needed. Maybe they don't want to do other types of interventions, but having that diagnosis then means that they're able to access more resources or more accommodations.

But I do think it's very dependent on the individual what feels best for them. How problematic is ADHD for that person in that stage of life? Maybe they only need certain interventions at certain times, so you have to kind of think through what would be most impactful for you and choose from those options to look at interventions. 

Resources and Support for Adult ADHD

Interviewer: Now, for that adult who maybe is curious about getting a diagnosis, or maybe even someone who has just freshly, newly got their diagnosis, what resources or support is available for them to get more information?

Dr. Holmes: I would encourage people to focus on getting resources from places that are research-focused or based. So the National Institute of Health or the CDC has information both about the diagnosis of ADHD and some about treatment. I would say maybe less on treatment, but it's a good place to start. ADD.org also has fairly reliable information about ADHD and some ideas for interventions. 

Many people look to social media for tips and tricks to manage ADHD. I definitely caution against relying too much on social media because there's misinformation out there. There's a lot of misinformation.

On the other hand, if you happen to see someone say, "I have ADHD and this works for me," and it's kind of a daily life hack that's not going to cause a problem for you to test drive, there's no reason not to. What works for one person might work for someone else. Just always take anything you see on social media with a grain of salt.

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The Planner app in Microsoft Teams brings together all your tasks and plans across the Microsoft 365 ecosystem in a single convenient location. It helps you manage tasks more efficiently for individual plans and team initiatives, as well as larger scale projects that are aligned to goals and key strategic objectives. 

Once you add the Planner app to Teams, you'll find:

My Day : Includes any tasks that are due today, along with any tasks you choose to add to this view.

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Don't have eclipse glasses? Here's how to safely view the 2024 solar eclipse.

ASHEVILLE – Looking for eclipse glasses last-minute? From tree leaves to cereal boxes, here's a list of last-minute alternatives to protect your eyes.

For any readers who didn’t know, North Carolina won’t see a total solar eclipse today . While we aren’t in the path of totality, Asheville's maximum coverage at the time of the eclipse's peak will be 84.6%. The celestial event begins at 1:51 p.m., peaks at 3:09 p.m. and ends at 4:24 p.m. for a total time of two hours and 33 minutes.

Eye protection is crucial to a safe eclipse viewing experience, and regular sunglasses won't cut it. Special eclipse glasses are actually 100,000 times darker than the darkest pair of sunglasses – with just a few hours until the celestial event, here's a list of last-minute methods to protect your eyes if you didn't manage to hunt down officially-approved glasses.

Tree leaf projector

Spring has sprung in Asheville just in time for the 2024 solar eclipse. One of the simplest safe ways to observe the eclipse without officially-approved glasses is to stand under a tree and look to the ground. Sunlight will project mini eclipses onto the earth as light passes through gaps in the leaves.

This method allows you to track the eclipse from start to finish, and enjoy the natural beauty of the season while you're at it.

Colander projector

Another simple viewing method with similar results involves your kitchen colander . Allow sunlight to pass through the small holes in your colander to create tiny eclipses on the ground or a surface of your choice.

Make your own pinhole projector

With a pinhole projector, sunlight travels through the pinhole to create a small image of the sun. With this method, you can safely view the eclipse as a projection, no glasses needed.

To create a pinhole projector you'll need a piece of cardboard, something to cut it with, foil and tape. Cut an inch square in the middle of your cardboard, tape foil over the square and poke a small hole in the foil. Then simply angle the cardboard so the light travels through the hole and onto another piece of cardboard (or whatever surface you can find to get a clear image) to create a projection of the sun.

Find a few examples below of how to turn household objects into simple pinhole projectors.

Turn a cardboard box into a pinhole eclipse projector

This pinhole projector can be worn like a helmet. That means the first step is hunting down a cardboard box you can comfortably place over your head. Cut a square hole on one end of the box and tape the foil over it. Poke a small hole in the foil. On the opposite side, tape a piece of paper inside the box.

When you're ready, turn your back to the sun and place the box over your head. Angle the box so the light streams through the hole and projects onto the paper to view your pinhole projection of the eclipse.

Convert a cereal box into an eclipse viewer

This cereal box pinhole projector comes straight from NASA as a suggestion on how to view the eclipse. The materials you'll need are similar to those used in the other pinhole projectors listed here, except for the addition of an empty cereal box.

After ensuring you've removed the inner bag that contained the cereal, place a piece of white paper or cardboard at the bottom of the box. Cut both ends of the top, leaving just the center flaps. Tape the center to keep it closed. Cover one of the openings with foil and poke a small hole into the foil, leaving the other side open.

Once you've prepared your cereal box, turn away from the sun and angle the box so sunlight enters through the hole. Look into the box from the opening to view your projected image of the sun at the bottom of the box.

Shoebox eclipse projectors

One more pinhole projection method similar to the cereal box method uses a shoe box.

Follow roughly the same steps to create this pinhole projector. Cut a small hole on one end of the shoebox and tape foil over it, poke a small hole in the foil and tape a small piece of paper inside the shoebox on the other end.

You can cut a hole to look into either on the foil side or on the long side of the shoebox near the paper for a closer view. When you've finished these steps, close the shoebox and angle it so the sunlight passes through the pinhole, down the length of the shoebox and onto the paper. Take a look inside to see your projection of the eclipse.

How to use your hands to view the eclipse

Believe it or not, you can use your own two hands to create a pinhole projection similar to the ones created by the cardboard creations above.

Take both hands and  overlap your fingers  with one hand vertical and the other horizontal. Your fingers should cross over each other and form square gaps.

Angle your clasped hands so the sunlight hits them. Sunlight will pass through the gaps like pinholes, projecting mini eclipses onto the ground, or whatever surface you choose.

Can I still purchase eclipse glasses?

Many eclipse-watching events in WNC including the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Nantahala Outdoor Center provide eclipse glasses to viewers: See previous reporting from the Citizen Times to check for last-minute availability.

As for stores in the area that carry eclipse glasses, many Walmart, Target and Lowe's locations advertise appropriate eyewear for around $2-$5. Just make sure the glasses comply with the ISO 12312-2 international standard, as stressed by the  American Astronomical Society . And with only a few hours to go until the anticipated celestial event, you may want to check stock of individual stores before making the drive.

What not to do

Without proper eye protection, viewing an eclipse can seriously damage your vision. Remember: Eclipse glasses are roughly 100,000 times darker than the darkest pair of sunglasses. Scientists warn that severe damage can occur in minutes or seconds, and generally occurs without noticeable pain to warn you of the harm. This is especially true for children, who have underdeveloped lenses.

Here are a few final suggestions on how to make your viewing experience as safe as possible:

• The only safe way to look directly at the sun is through glasses designed to do so.
• If you're using eclipse glasses, make sure they are the correct ISO. Look for an ISO marking inside the glasses of ISO 12312-2. More information is available at  science.nasa.gov/eclipses/safety  and  eclipse.aas.org/eye-safety/how-to-tell-if-viewers-are-safe . 
• Look down to put on the glasses before looking up at the eclipse. Look away before taking them off. Remind children to do that as well.
• Consider practicing correct usage of eclipse glasses with your children during a pre-eclipse test run.

More: Will it be cloudy or clear for the eclipse in Asheville area? Will we be able to see it?

More: Protect little eyes during the eclipse

Iris Seaton is a trending news reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].

Play Minecraft Games with Game Pass

ALSO AVAILABLE ON:

Minecraft is available to play on the following platforms:

*Mac and Linux are compatible with Java Edition only.

Poisonous Potato Update

The (s)mashing update you always asked for!

Imagine being a potato. Now imagine being the potato’s less popular sibling who didn’t inherit the tuber-licious looks the rest of your family possesses. What’s worse is – you're facing the impossible decision of what to do with all this starch? Since neither French fries nor couch potato sat right with you, there's only one option remaining. Congratulations friend, you’re a poisonous potato. 

For years, Minecraft’s own toxic tuber has been neglected and underappreciated, lacking both purpose and usefulness. For years, you – the community – tried to highlight this, working tirelessly to bring it to our attention and literally begging us for more functionality. As of today, your concerns are a thing of the past. 

Mojang Studios is proud to release our most well-boiled update to date that will add so much usability to the poisonous potato that even tater-haters will become devoted spud-buds. The Poisonous Potato Update – rich in both carbs AND features! You asked. We delivered. Or maybe you didn’t ask, but we delivered anyway? In any case, it is HERE! 

GET THE SNAPSHOT UPDATE 

Snapshots are available for Minecraft: Java Edition. To install the snapshot, open up the Minecraft Launcher and enable snapshots in the "Installations" tab. You can even play the snapshot on your own Java Realms together with your friends! 

Remember, snapshots can corrupt your world, so please back up your world and/or run the snapshot in a different folder from your main worlds.  

-> DOWNLOAD THE CROSS-PLATFORM SERVER JAR

Poisonous potato add-on.

The roots of the poisonous potato run deep within Minecraft and extends far beyond Java Edition. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the tuber-lar sensation has spread its influence to Bedrock Edition as well. With Jigarbov’s Poisonous Potato add-on , you’ll be able to experience the joy of the poisonous potato the way it was always intended – through blocks and furniture to weapons and armor.

-> GET THE ADD-ON

Gameplay & features.

• Poisonous potatoes – LOTS of poisonous potatoes! 
• A few normal potatoes too! 
• The homeland of all potato kind
• Five spud-tastic biomes: fields, hash, arboretum, corruption, and wasteland 
• Experience the life of a potato – from its inception as a raw potato picked from the fields, through cooked hash browns, to its eventual decay
• Local weather with a-mashing effects 
• Added the Colosseum, home to the lord of potato kind... 
• A whole sack of a-peeling new blocks 
• Rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin B6, and Niacin! 
• No new mineral blocks. No need! The blocks themselves contain minerals: Potassium, Magnesium, and Iron! 
• Added the frying table – everyone asked for it, so we added it. It fries potato things. It's a really nice model! 
• Added functionality to the fletching table. You can now fletch toxic resin into more refined versions of the resin. 
• Added impurities because purity is overrated 
• Added a whole bunch new gadgets that will tune your poisonous potato game up to eleven! 
• You get it by now. They’re all poisonous potatoes... 

TECHNICAL CHANGES 

• The flux capacitor integration now synergizes with quantum voxelization, which enables a 360-noscope enhancing real-time RTX terrain-rendering nightshade multibox spectrum acceleration while optimizing transdimensional entity synchronization for seamless vitelotte-king edwards-russel burbank experiences! 

WHAT HAPPENS IF I DOWNLOAD THE UPDATE?

Then you will be the proud owner of the file that contains the update. 

WHAT CAN I EXPECT IN TERMS OF GAMEPLAY?  

Poisonous potatoes. We hope this article has made that perfectly clear. 

I DON’T BELIEVE I ASKED FOR THIS UPDATE, IF I’M HONEST. 

You might not have – but your brain (or maybe belly) did! 

ARE THERE CURRENTLY ANY OTHER CARB-BASED UPDATES IN THE WORKS? 

Great question! Please look forward to the Radioactive Rice Update and Toxic Taro Update in the very distant future! 

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Discover the best add-ons, mods, and more being built by the incredible Minecraft community!

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Celebrating 25 Years

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• ADHD Parenting

How to Succeed in High School with ADHD: A Teen’s Guide

These academic and organizational tips are designed to help high school students with adhd finish homework, execute long-term projects, manage their time, earn high grades, and avoid feeling overwhelmed..

With the simpler demands of middle school behind you, you’ll need better study skills, time-management tools, and organization strategies than ever. This is also the time to become your own advocate. With your parents’ support, you can be an active participant in getting the help you need. Start by meeting with each of your teachers to explain how you learn best and how they can help you stay focused and organized. When you’re ready, take an active role in your special-ed team meetings to get the accommodations that will allow you to succeed. By the time you leave high school, you should be able to determine when and where you need help, and how to get it. Here’s how to succeed in high school with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder ( ADHD or ADD ).

Academics: What You Can Do

Bring order (and color!) to your notes. Take class notes in outline fashion, using graph paper and colored pens or highlighters to help the main points jump off the page. Use the same technique for reading assignments, so you won’t have to read material twice.

Review early and often. Immediately after a difficult class, review your notes. Then read them again in the evening. Reviewing notes on the day you take them can double the amount of information you retain.

Multitask — quietly. Do your homework or read in class, if it helps you to focus. (Consider sitting in the front, to avoid distractions.)

Break down complex assignments. Complicated, long-term projects can be your undoing unless you break them into manageable chunks.

[ Free Download: Transform Your Teen’s Apathy Into Engagement ]

• In the research stage, use color-coded sticky notes in books and articles to designate each subtopic; cut and paste online materials into a word-processing document.
• Decide on a deadline for each section, and set alarms in your electronic timer or cell phone to remind you when it’s due. Some students promise to show sections to their teachers along the way, to keep themselves accountable.

Follow your interests. Look for ways to weave your passions into papers and projects — you’ll be much more likely to focus. If you’re a runner and you have to write about ancient Greece, for example, research the history of the marathon.

Master test-taking. Check with your teacher about what material will be covered and the format of the test — you’ll study differently for an essay test than for a multiple choice. Break the material down and review it over several days. Tutor other students, or have a study buddy quiz you. Find a memorization strategy that works for you. You might create new lyrics to a popular song, or use flashcards or mnemonics. Students who learn visually may benefit from drawing or building a physical model of concepts.

When in doubt, seek help. If you don’t understand something, get answers from a classmate who is on top of the course. If you’re struggling with a paper, show your teacher what you’ve done so far.

What Parents Can Do

Keep a lower profile. During these pivotal four years of high school , consider yourself less of a coach and more of a partner, working with your child to achieve school success. Each year, pull back a bit more. By senior year, your child should be taking the reins — figuring out what they need, setting priorities, and arranging for the right kind of help.

Start each year with a plan. Sit down with your child to discuss the upcoming school year. What challenges are in store, and what kinds of support might they need? Together, determine who will talk to teachers and school officials, and how and when to approach them. Make sure you both attend meetings to revisit IEP or 504 accommodations.

Quiz your student. They should know their learning style — visual, auditory, or kinesthetic — and have suitable study techniques to prepare for tests. They should also have a feel for which courses play to their strengths and which ones will be a problem.

Get outside help. If your child is confused by calculus or daunted by English composition, bring in a tutor. If they struggle to keep track of assignments or deadlines, consider hiring a coach. At this age, they’re more likely to accept help from others than from you.

Provide a challenge. Teens with ADHD sometimes fail because they’re not sufficiently engaged. Consider moving your child to an accelerated class, or enroll them in a summer course at a local college.

Offer rewards. Rewards are a great motivator, even at this age. Try verbal encouragement, extending privileges, increasing allowance, or a special trip. Frequent rewards, on a daily or weekly basis, work best.

[ Read: The High School Study Guide for Teens with ADHD ]

In the classroom:

Use webs, cluster maps, and semantic maps to categorize or identify related information. A central concept is placed in the center of related subtopics, and further details extend from each of the subtopic areas.

Offer alternatives to a written book report. Give students choices — writing a letter to the main character, creating a book jacket or a board game based on the book.

Use different-colored highlighters to emphasize different types of information: one color for dates, another for names, and a third for definitions.

Try tech for quicker reads. A scanning pen scans text as it’s dragged along the page. The pen displays the words on an easy-to-read screen, speaks them aloud, and provides definitions.

Use math computer programs for drill and practice. Many students with ADHD have illegible handwriting, or lose track when doing multiple-step problems.

Encourage students to keep a card file of specific math skills, concepts, rules, and algorithms, along with specific examples of each on the card for reference.

Practice, practice. Answer the sample questions in your textbook. Ask your teacher for more practice problems. Try to teach the problems to another student.

Solving problems. Label each step of your process, and leave plenty of white space between steps, so you can easily see where you went astray.

Writing Tips

Use a graphic organizer. This tool asks basic questions about the topic and organizes material visually to help with memory recall. Distribute pre-printed blank forms for students to fill in, so they can reserve their effort for writing the essay.

Use mind maps — a graphic way of representing ideas and their relationships. Draw circles, write ideas within each of them, then connect and prioritize thoughts.

Allow time for incubation. Set aside your writing and come back to it the next day. You will see potential improvements that can be made.

Organization: What You Can Do

Carve out a workspace. Use the “suitcase rule” to de-clutter your room. What would you pack if you were going away for a week? Put everything else away in a closet or another room. Still can’t see your desktop? Stash anything you don’t use every day in a box near your desk.

Assign everything a place. Get file holders, trays, desk caddies, shelves — whatever you need to organize your work space. Label each container with colored index cards, stickers, or pens. Do the same with your car and school locker. To keep your locker organized, bring everything home at the end of each week and before every school break.

Be bag-specific. Keep a separate bag for books and schoolwork, sports equipment, band paraphernalia, after-school clothes. Assign pockets in each bag for specific items.

Hold on to notebooks. Write your name, phone number, e-mail address, and locker or mailbox number inside the cover or on the first page. If you lose it, the odds are good that it will be returned to you.

Keep a calendar at hand. Always carry an appointment book or electronic calendar — a planner or a smart phone works. Just as you assign a place for your physical possessions, you should designate a time for each of your commitments.

Post a calendar in the kitchen. Include all family events and obligations, so that your teen can add them to his personal schedule. If you both work from electronic calendars, set aside time each evening to update and synchronize.

Keep a to-do chart. Does your teen have responsibility for housekeeping chores ? Post a checklist as a nag-free reminder.

Establish a ready-to-go place. Reserve a shelf or cabinet by the front door, where your teen can park what she needs for school — books, keys, wallet, and meds.

High School: Read These Next

How Do You Reassure Your Anxious Child When You’re Scared, Too?

When ‘Careless Mistakes’ Aren’t: Dyscalculia & Math Anxiety

Practical Strategies & Tools to Help Kids with Dysgraphia

What Is Auditory Processing Disorder?

Adhd newsletter, how to solve adolescent challenges — expert advice & teen perspectives..

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• Personal Care

Solar Eclipse Eye Protection: How to Tell If Your Glasses Are Safe or Fake Today

Watching the solar eclipse? You don't want to get caught with rip-off eclipse glasses today. What to know.

Special glasses can protect your eyes when watching this year's solar eclipse.

Ready? The total solar eclipse is today -- April 8, 2024 . This eclipse, which will be visible across North America, is the last one in the continental US for almost 20 years. If you're in the path of totality today or outside the area and viewing a partial eclipse, you're going to need solar eclipse glasses to protect your eyes while staring at the sun. 

Solar eclipse glasses are special glasses that block out the most dangerous parts of the solar spectrum for human eyes. When you look through them, the sun should appear as an easy-to-view yellow-orange circle. Use them to watch the entire eclipse, but be aware that these glasses will block out all light -- so you won't want to use these glasses while walking, driving or doing anything besides eclipse viewing. 

Read more: Need Free Solar Eclipse Glasses? Stop by Warby Parker

However, bad actors may sell eclipse glasses that don't actually do anything to protect your eyes from the sun. So, if you're viewing the eclipse in person today, you're going to want to make sure that your eyes are really being protected. Read on to find out about the steps you can take to make sure your solar eclipse glasses are legit. 

For more, here's how Solar Snap can help you take great eclipse photos  and why you should download your Google Maps route before you travel to see the eclipse.

Check the ISO number of your eclipse glasses

According to the American Astronomical Society , a real and safe pair of solar eclipse glasses should be labeled with ISO 12312-2 (sometimes written in more detail as ISO 12312-2:2015), which is an international safety standard that denotes the glasses reduce visible sunlight to safe levels and block UV and IR radiation.

Check the list of reputable eclipse glasses vendors

However, fake glasses may also be labeled as being compliant with ISO 12312-2 because, as a general rule, people are greedy, selfish and not to be trusted. To double-check the veracity of your eclipse glasses' ISO claims, you can see if the vendor from which you purchased the shades is trustworthy in the eyes of the AAS. See its list of Reputable Vendors of Solar Filters and Viewers . Really, the safest thing you can do is pick a vendor from the above list and purchase your glasses from there, so there are no concerns about counterfeits and fakes when it comes to your eye safety. 

The list also includes big-box retailers and chains where you can grab AAS approved eclipse glasses, including Warby Parker , which is giving glasses away for free starting April 1. Personally, I got my glasses from a trusted local museum, but I'll still be checking mine to make sure that I'll be protected. 

In assembling its list, the AAS checks to make sure a manufacturer earned its ISO rating with proper, labs-based testing. It also asks manufacturers for their authorized resellers and resellers for their manufacturers. If the vendor of your eclipse shades is listed, then you are safe. But the opposite isn't necessarily true. If your vendor isn't listed, it doesn't necessarily mean they are slinging counterfeits. It just means the AAS hasn't checked them out or hasn't been able to track everything down.

So, what are you to do if your vendor isn't on the list? Perform an eye test.

How to test your solar eclipse glasses

If your mystery pair of eclipse glasses look pretty darn dark, that's a good place to start start. You should not be able to see anything through them except the sun itself or something similarly bright.

What's something as bright as the sun you can use as a test? The AAS suggests you check sunlight reflected off a mirror or a shiny metal object. If sun is behind the clouds or on the other side of the earth when you want to test your glasses, you can use a bright-white LED such as the flashlight on your phone or a bare lightbulb. The reflected sunlight or bright, white, artificial light should appear very dim through a safe pair of eclipse glasses. If you can see light behind a lamp shade or a soft, frosted light bulb through the glasses through your eclipse glasses, then you know that these glasses aren't strong enough to stare safely at the sun. 

When staring at the sun through safe solar eclipse glasses, the sun should appear comfortably bright like the full moon, according to the AAS. If your eclipse glasses are uncomfortable to use, that is also a good sign that they might not be legitimate. 

For more, here's how to buy last-minutes solar eclipse glasses and where you can get a free pair of eclipse glasses .

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