Writing a good paper is tough enough even for college students with prowess in reading and writing skills. Throw in dyslexia and ADHD, and the task appears more daunting and impossible. While students with learning difficulties can have the most creative ideas and thoughts, putting them down on paper is the hardest part.
However, that is not to say that it can’t be done especially after beating the challenges of learning and attaining entry to college. You might find it challenging to write your paper, but with the right strategies, you can get the task done much more easily. Here are 6 tips for you.
1. Find your motivation
Self-motivation is an important driver when it comes to achieving your goals. However, it is not always easy for students with learning difficulties. Outside distractions and inner thoughts often lead to these students perceiving themselves as less able, which easily leads to procrastination and loss of focus.
On the other hand, students with learning difficulties such as dyslexia and ADHD love working on projects that interest them. Moreover, that starts with finding the motivation behind the paper that you are good writing . Start by reflecting on why you are writing that paper and what it means to you and your career aspirations.
When you find it meaningful, you will find the enthusiasm and interest to tackle it regardless of the difficulties.
2. Ask for more time to complete the work
It can be easy to view accommodations as unfair advantages especially when you want to compete on level ground with other students. Contrary to that, accommodations make it possible for you to demonstrate your abilities without your challenges hindering you.
In addition, it is your right to receive educational support in areas that you need it. Ask for your accommodation to complete your paper. Having more time to complete your paper can give you the confidence needed to do it without the pressure of rushing against time.
3. Use what works for you when gathering and structuring ideas
Research is key when writing your paper. For you to make the most of it, use the method that is effective for you. For instance, if you are a bottom-up student, take notes of what you are reading.
You can also use drawings and visual elements to generate ideas. You can make a storyboard with sketches, graphs, and any other visual image that can help you put your ideas together.
On the other hand, if you are a top-down student who is able to hold information in mind, try to put your ideas down on paper. Go through your paper a second or third time to edit and re-organize your paper until you have a good final copy.
4. Talk your ideas aloud
People with reading and writing difficulties find it hard to comprehend ideas. Moreover, adults with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) struggle with focusing on their projects. Taking time to talk loudly about the ideas that you want to write for your paper helps you to internalize and understand the ideas.
If you struggle with staying attentive, reading aloud makes it easy to ignore outside distractions and inner voices that take your focus away. This helps in concentrating and comprehending the ideas that you have.
5. Ask for help from the experts
If everything proves difficult, you can save yourself the trouble by hiring an expert to help you with your research. You can find people online who are knowledgeable in your niche who can be a valuable resource for you. For instance, if you are writing a paper on biotechnology, you can think of either talking to your professors or older students who you could work with on your paper.
6. Utilize technology
Easily accessible Technology is available to support people who have learning disabilities. Text to Speech technology is great if you have reading difficulties. The technology converts written text to speech via a read-aloud function. This allows you to listen to a written article on the internet when doing your research.
If you have problems identifying words and connecting text or you are a slow reader, the text-to-speech technology can be a good booster for your comprehension. It can also be of help in identifying mistakes in your final draft. You can also make use of other tech tools such as the free version of Grammarly, that will help you check the grammar and avoid any possible mistakes.
Finally, you should know how to upload to Google Drive so you can always go back and edit your paper safely.
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Conclusion
Dyslexia and ADHD should not hinder you from reaching the highest heights in your academics and career. If you are focused on finding solutions around your learning challenges, even writing your paper can be a walk in the park. Use the above tips to help you in the process. Most importantly, don’t shy from asking for help and utilizing the available technology.
Kingsley Carter is a student who studies biology. She regularly writes scientific research papers for her university and continuously deals with different challenges. Also, she’s a lifelong learner with an ongoing curiosity to learn new things.