🧠 How to Study with ADHD (Especially in Med School), Part I

A survival guide for brains that don’t do straight lines.

I love learning, but I hate studying.

See the problem there? It’s kinda tough to go through 4 years of university, 1 year of a master’s program, 4 years of medical school (currently still here!), and then still have to do 3-4 years of residency (specialized training). Never mind the K-12 (getting yelled at by everyone— teachers, principals, parents, other kids, etc) schooling— the system in place is less than ideal for people with ADHD (such as myself).

So it’s safe to say I didn’t write this as someone who figured it all out. I wrote it as someone who got wrecked by the old way and had to start over.

But the bright side is that I’ve made it through. And if I can do it, literally anyone can. If you have ADHD, you can absolutely get through any type of schooling (yes, even medical school).

The catch is that you have to play by a slightly different set of rules. Your own rules.

This doesn’t mean you get to be a rebel and do whatever you want (yes, you still have to be respectful to the classic methods of teaching), but you have to understand that the “classic method” doesn’t work for you or me. It may for most, but not for us.

So that’s step one: appreciate the fundamental difference.

✦ Step One: Appreciate the Fundamental Difference

You’re not worse at studying. You’re just wired differently.

That sounds cliché until you actually feel it.

See, when most people sit down to study, their brain cooperates. Maybe not joyfully, but predictably. They open a book, they get into a groove, they build momentum, and they finish whatever chapter within the hour.

For you? You might stare at the page for 15 minutes before your brain goes “Oh yeah, I still need to do this…” and then thinks about the season finale of [insert favorite show]. I like The Pitt, btw. You should watch it. Ah, now back on track…

This doesn’t mean you’re “lazy” (I’m sure you’ve heard this a 1000 times). It means you’re playing the game on hard mode with the wrong controller. Not even one or the other— both at the same time.

Here’s the fundamental truth: the traditional study system was never built for neurodivergent brains. It was built for uniformity, obedience, and performance on standardized metrics… which is fine, for most. But not for all.

So before you try to force yourself to “just focus,” stop and reframe: You don’t need to be more disciplined. You need a better fit. And here’s a really important aspect that most people look over. You need to let go of the shame.

This is the part everyone skips. If you don’t fully internalize this difference, every study plan you try to copy will eventually break down.

Remember, you’re not here to replicate. You’re here to rebuild.

Stay tuned for Part II… coming to a theater near you!