Caitlin is my daughter, and like all of my kids, she has ADHD. She is also a college student.
Staying organized and on top of things is important for any student, but especially for ADD Students.
Caitlin has come up with a system that works for her. She’s been using it for years.
This is Caitlin’s way of staying organized for school.
Each class that she has is assigned a color.
Notebooks, folders, index cards and post its are purchased in each color. That makes it easy to find the right materials for each class. When she was younger and had to use book covers, she color coded them too.
Caitlin also has a bulletin board at home for school.
Each week’s homework and assignments are posted on the board using an index card of the proper color. Index cards are also used as flash cards. Again, they are color coded.
Caitlin also uses color within her class notes by highlighting key ideas. As far as I know, she doesn’t go so far as to color code those.
Color coding works for kids with ADHD because most of us are visual learners. We learn best through visual means such as pictures. Color is a way to catch our attention and remember what we see.
Caitlin is in class right now, but when she gets out, I will ask her to comment here and add to what I’ve shared.
Try color coding with your ADD Student.
Thanks mom! This system works really well for me, and for once I am actually ahead in my school work and completely organized. Color coding makes it easy for me to find all my notebooks, folders, etc. all at once and assures me I’ve got the right notebook and folder for the right class. Having to remember one color for a class makes it far easier than having to remember which notebook and folder go to each one. The bulletin board works great for recording assignments, and assuring I get them done. And no, my highlighters are not color coded…yet.
I work with many university students with ADHD and know they struggle as you have with keeping organized and staying on top of their studies. One of the things I love best about ADHD Coaching is that I get to help awesome people like you–and seeing their progress! By gaining the skills now that you need in order to thrive in school, you are building a colorful toolbox that you will dip into for the rest of your life–your very successful life!
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