Study Hacks for Neurodivergent Students 🌈📚

Students who are neurodivergent—or who learn a little differently—often benefit from alternate study methods that make learning easier, more engaging, and more effective 💡.

Neurodivergence and learning differences mean students may need different tools, routines, or approaches to help information stick and focus feel more manageable.

These study hacks are all about discovering study strategies that work with how your brain processes information—while still building consistency, confidence, and strong learning habits.

Here are practical study hacks for neurodivergent students that can help make school feel more doable (and maybe even enjoyable).

1️⃣ Make Learning Multisensory ✏️🎧

Many students learn best when more than one sense is involved.

Try combining:

• Reading while listening to audio

• Watching videos alongside written notes

• Recording lessons and replaying them during review

• Switching pen colours while studying

• Using paper that feels comfortable to write on

When learning becomes more interactive, it’s easier to stay engaged—and studying feels less like a chore and more like an experience.

2️⃣ Find Your Sound Sweet Spot 🎵🧠

Some students focus better with background noise. Others need quiet. There’s no “correct” option—only what works for you.

Experiment with:

• Instrumental music or lo-fi beats

• Classical music

• White noise or nature sounds

• Noise-cancelling headphones

The goal is to create an environment where your brain feels settled enough to concentrate.

3️⃣ Think in Bite-Sized Pieces ⏱️

Two-hour study blocks can feel overwhelming. Short sessions often work better.

Try:

• 10 minutes during lunch

• 20 minutes after dinner

• Several short sessions throughout the day

The Pomodoro method is a great place to start:

• Study for 25 minutes

• Take a 5-minute break

• Repeat

Small chunks reduce pressure and make starting feel easier—and starting is often the hardest part.

4️⃣ Move Your Body 🚶‍♀️⚡

Movement helps many neurodivergent students regulate focus.

Before studying:

• Take a walk

• Stretch

• Do jumping jacks

During studying:

• Review flashcards while pacing

• Stretch every 30 minutes

• Chew gum

• Snack on easy foods like nuts or fruit

Physical movement supports mental clarity—and helps prevent that restless, stuck feeling.

5️⃣ Try Body Doubling 🤝

Body doubling means studying with someone nearby (even if they’re doing something else).

This could look like:

• Studying with a friend

• Joining virtual study sessions

• FaceTiming a classmate

• Working in libraries or cafés

Having someone present provides gentle accountability and often makes it easier to stay on task.

6️⃣ Make It Fun and Meaningful 🎨📚

Bored brains resist learning. Engagement matters.

Try:

• Watching a short video on your topic before opening the textbook

• Turning concepts into diagrams or flowcharts

• Creating silly mnemonics

• Designing your own practice questions

• Connecting material to your interests

Active learning beats passive rereading every time.

7️⃣ Experiment With Different Study Methods 🔄

If rereading notes isn’t helping, try something new:

• Read notes out loud

• Rewrite them as diagrams or outlines

• Explain concepts to an imaginary student

• Turn textbook pages into quizzes

• Create a tiny “cheat sheet” (even if you never use it)

Studying is a skill—and like any skill, it improves through experimentation.

8️⃣ Design Your Environment 🪑✨

Set up your space to support focus:

• Put your phone in another room (or face down)

• Use website blockers during study time

• Study somewhere different from where you relax

• Bring only what you need to the library

Comfort matters too—whether that means a cozy chair or a clean desk. Notice what helps your body settle so your mind can work.

9️⃣ Use School Accommodations When Needed 🎓

Students don’t have to do this alone. Many schools offer accommodations like:

• Extended test time

• Quiet testing rooms

• Flexible deadlines

• Permission to record lectures

These supports don’t give unfair advantages—they help students show what they actually know.

🔟 Be Kind to Your Inner Voice 💛

Pay attention to self-talk.

Instead of:
“I’ll never get this.”

Try:
“This is hard, but I’m learning.”

Struggling doesn’t mean failing. Taking breaks isn’t weakness. Progress counts—even when it’s slow.

🎓 Conclusion

Learning differently doesn’t mean learning less—it just means finding study strategies that actually fit how a student thinks and works 🌱. When students are given space to try new approaches, build routines that feel realistic, and celebrate small wins along the way, studying starts to feel less heavy and a lot more doable.

Studying doesn’t need to look perfect to matter. If a student walks away understanding a little more than they did before—that’s real progress 📘✨.

At Large Tutoring, we help students with learning differences create personalized study strategies that meet them where they are. Our goal is simple: help learning feel clearer, calmer, and more manageable—so students can build confidence, not just complete homework.

If you’d like more support, you may also enjoy:
Supporting Children’s Mental Health in School: Effective Strategies for Parents
5 Ways Tutoring Builds Better Study Habits That Last

Because every student deserves encouragement, practical tools, and a learning environment that helps them grow—without feeling pressured to fit into one single way of learning 💙📚.

Guest contribution by Ashley Peña, LCSW.

Ashley Peña is a licensed clinical social worker who supports students’ mental health and learning needs through evidence-based care.

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