Study Tips for Neurodivergent Students
By Library Student Partner, Laura van Diesen
Studying can be a daunting task for all students, but those of us who are neurodivergent or have Specific Learning Differences often face more barriers to studying both independently and in the Library. Here is a list of tips from Laura to make studying adaptable and a little less overwhelming. The decision tree can be used as a starting point for studying in the Library, as it offers a visual guide to our different study spaces tailored towards neurodiverse students.
1. Where do I start?
Let’s start at the beginning: where do you most like to study? If you don’t already have a set location, I recommend experimenting with different study spaces and environments to see their benefits. If you are overwhelmed by the prospect of coming to the Library for the first time, there is a decision tree below to help you to choose a location to try out.
For some of us, particularly those with ASD, building a routine around a familiar location and time might feel best. If this is the case for you, it is brilliant that you have already found a study routine.
"...tool for visualizing the priority of your tasks..."
However, if you are someone that struggles with a change in routine or environment, I recommend coming up with a ‘Plan B’ location if your usual spot isn’t available, as the Library may become busier around assessment deadlines, and your usual desk may not be free.
If you are registered with Disability Services on campus, a helpful way around this uncertainty would be to book an accessible study room. These can be booked for up to three hours per day, up to four weeks in advance.
If you are not yet registered, take a look at Warwick’s Disability Services. If you book an appointment with a Disability Adviser, they can recommend individualised support depending on your condition, and can arrange access to these study rooms.
If you like to switch up your study spaces, the Library has plenty of different locations that are suited to different tasks. If the sensory aspects of a study space are important to you, bear in mind the different noise levels of different floors. Noise levels are either quiet, collaboration zones, or silent. You can find the silent study room on floor 2 extension.
Also on the floor 2 extension is the new Sensory Study Room – a room that has been created specifically for neurodivergent students based on feedback from other students.
Discussion is permitted on floor 1 and 2, so these are best if you prefer ambient noise in the background. Their collaboration areas are also perfect for group projects. Everywhere else in the Library – including the stairwells – are quiet zones where minimal noise is allowed.
"...I recommend coming up with a 'Plan B' location..."
2. Lists, but they are not never-ending!
Anyone with ADHD or that struggles organising deadlines will have likely heard the advice to make lists. However, sometimes making one long list can end up feeling even more overwhelming due to struggling to know where to start.
The Eisenhower Matrix is a helpful tool for visualizing the priority of your tasks rather than struggling to start a list as long as your arm. It works by organising your tasks into four quadrants: Do, Delegate, Schedule, and Delete.
Narrowing your to-do lists down to absolute priority rather than trying to complete everything at the same time could help with executive function. Try doing this at the beginning of a study session to clear your mind and help you to focus on a singular goal.
If you experience fluctuating energy levels and struggle to plan around this, I have found it helpful to organise study tasks that correspond with your energy and mood for the day. Pacing is incredibly important to avoid overloading yourself and risking burnout.
If you wake up feeling exhausted, firstly, don’t beat yourself up about it! University life can take even more energy to navigate as a neurodivergent student. Setting unrealistic goals for the day is more likely to end up in disappointment, and your wellbeing always takes priority. Think about what takes the most energy for you, such as writing up a report or an essay, and reserve these tasks for when you feel the most rested and prepared.
For a subject that involves a lot of reading, this can be a relatively low-energy task for days that you want to study but can’t tackle complex assignments. I have found audiobooks to be an invaluable resource. If you are unable to locate an audiobook for your texts, the Library’s assistive software includes text to speech functions.
Use your resources
Text to speech is not the only assistive software that our Library offers, and you don’t need to be in the Library building to benefit from it. There are a number of productivity tools available here, including the OpenDyslexic font to improve readability, colour filters, and note taking apps. These are great for independent study.
"...the Library has plenty of different locations..."
If you are in the Library building, the Assistive Technology areas on floor 1 and floor 2 extension come pre-loaded with assistive software. There is additionally loanable equipment available to borrow from the Library helpdesk, or within the Accessible study rooms.
If you are interested in exploring more in-depth study advice, here is a list of reading recommendations that are all available to access through the University of Warwick Library.
The study skills toolkit for students with dyslexia by Monica Gribben
The dyslexia, ADHD and DCD-friendly study skills guide by Ann-Marie McNicolas
College success for students with learning disabilities by Mati Sicherer
Academic writing and dyslexia: a visual guide to writing at university by Adrian J. Wallbank
Succeeding as a student in the STEM fields with an invisible disability by Christy Oslund
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