Study Skills for Neurodivergent Students

Active learning is key: Use flashcards, practice quizzes, and spaced repetition tools like Anki or Brainscape to actively engage with material and solidify knowledge.

Gamify revision: Turn studying into a game by using apps like Forest or Focus Keeper, setting timed challenges with rewards for completion.

Embrace creativity: Explore alternative note-taking methods like visual diagrams, storyboards, or mind maps to represent information in engaging ways.

Try fidget tools: Discreet fidget toys can help manage restlessness and improve focus during study sessions.

Chunk study sessions: Break down revision into short, focused bursts with frequent breaks to avoid overwhelm. Use timers like Focus Keeper to structure your sessions.

Identify and avoid distractions: Limit distractions by choosing quiet study spaces and silencing notifications on your phone. Tools like Freedom can block distracting websites and apps.

Seek alternative testing formats: If applicable, explore accommodations like extended time, distraction-free environments, or alternative testing formats (e.g., oral exams) to reduce anxiety and enhance your performance.

Many of the tools and apps below are available free from DSA.

Planning & Organisation:

• Miro: Create visual mind maps of key topics, concepts, and exam structure to identify weak areas and plan your revision effectively.
• Trello: Organise revision materials into "boards" like topics, with "cards" representing specific content you need to learn. Track progress and prioritise revision tasks.
• My Study Life: Plan revision schedules with reminders and deadlines, ensuring you cover everything and avoid last-minute cramming.

Active Recall & Practice:

• Anki: Flashcard app with spaced repetition algorithms to solidify knowledge. Create flashcards or use pre-made decks for key terms, formulas, and practice questions.
• Quizlet: Create quizzes and study sets, including various learning modes like fill-in-the-blank and matching, to actively test your understanding.
• Brainscape: Adaptive flashcard system that adjusts difficulty based on your performance, optimising memorisation and recall.

Engaging Resources & Study Aids:

• Crash Course: Educational YouTube channel with engaging and entertaining videos that explain complex topics in a concise and accessible way.
• Podcasts & Youtube Channels: Find creators in your field who present information in a way that resonates with you. Visuals and humor can improve engagement and comprehension.

Accessibility & Focus Aids:

• NaturalReader: Text-to-speech tool for reading study materials aloud, reducing fatigue and aiding information processing.
• Immersive Reader: Built-in tool in Microsoft Edge and OneNote, providing dyslexia-friendly reading features and focus options, improving accessibility.
• Freedom: Blocks distracting websites and apps, creating a focused study environment and minimising distractions during revision sessions.

Alternative Testing Strategies:

• Speak to your student wellbeing team: Explore accommodations like extended time, distraction-free environments, or alternative testing formats (e.g., oral exams) if applicable.
• Practice with alternative formats: Explore tools like text-to-speech software or mind maps during practice tests to see what enhances your performance.