The Summer Slide is out to get college students with ADHD too. What is it? It’s the loss of academic abilities over the summer break. They forget information and skills too. What can we do? Learn more about the specific needs of older students. ADHD-focused issues too.

College students with ADHD have issues that go beyond their peers. There is a cumulative impact. Losses compound from the earliest grades. They continue throughout their educational career. College courses progress from 101, 102, 201, 202… With memory issues, it’s hard to hold onto learning.

It’s not only academic gains that are lost. Executive functioning skills often diminish. Gains in social skills are also reduced. These occur in lower grades, but there are situations that make college different.

Why is there more Summer Slide for college students?

Summer slide is known throughout the K-12 community, but the impact is more serious for college students. They have a longer break (3.5 to 4 months). Coursework is more difficult, more rigorous, and assumes background knowledge. 

Compared to K-12 classes, college courses do not have the requisite review sessions. They simply pick up where they left off. As the semester is typically four months in length, there is less time to catch up on deficiencies. There are fewer grade components so each assignment or exam carries greater impact.

The learning loss for college students with ADHD is potentially a lifelong problem. They’re not exposed to ongoing learning.  During the breaks, students have limited or no access to accommodations. Combined with the loss of professors with content experts, they have a lack of academic opportunities. 

8 Tips for College Students with ADHD 

• Read for fun every day. Consider comics, audiobooks, or blogs. Try a book club for peers.
• Incorporate writing. Include poetry and journaling.
• Play entertaining learning apps/video games. Let them choose.
• Focus on physical fitness. Set a schedule then stick to it.
• Learn from nature. Take pictures then make a collage.
• Take day trips. Plan, go, review.
• Consider Project-Based Learning (PBL). Create learning activities that combine real life.
• Don’t forget the arts. Head to museums. Go to concerts.

The Best Possible Solution: Continue summer learning. 

Get into academic form. Prevent summer slide and learning losses by creating a home program. Perform a pre-fall review of essentials and relevant concepts to get into academic form. Engage the brain using personal and professional resources. 

• Take summer classes or non-credit alternatives.
• Use remedial intervention programs to brush up on basic skills (reading, writing, math).
• Consider hiring an ADHD coach or tutor.
• Make a daily 5-minute perusal of previous course notes.
• Introduce fall-semester material (new concepts).
• Look for YouTube videos to review old challenges and introduce new concepts.
• Talk to peers who previously took upcoming courses.

College students with ADHD need support during breaks. Whether it’s reading, math, or cognitive skills, they are subject to learning loss. Content subjects can be interesting. Don`t forget that it’s a break too. Make time for fun!

QUESTION: How have you dealt with summer breaks in high school?

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