ADHD Coach Olga Duncan

Want better recall? Get creative.

Here are three strategies I use with my students to boost memory and engagement when studying:
🎨 Sketch a mind map to see connections visually
🎤 Record a 60-second voice note to explain what you just learned
📝 Build a one-page summary from memory, then check what you missed

The variety keeps the brain engaged, builds stronger pathways, and makes test day recall easier and more reliable. Studying isn’t about sitting longer. It’s about using smarter strategies that fit how the brain learns best.

✨ If you want more tools like this, download my free guide Is My Child Ready for College? to help your student prepare with confidence. Link in bio.

A 15-minute reset can transform your whole week.

Here’s how I guide my students to use this simple strategy:
✨ Check your syllabi so nothing sneaks up on you
✨ Map out places and study sprints
✨ Prioritize sleep. Your brain learns best when rested
✨ Add one fun thing to look forward to

Clarity reduces anxiety and protects your energy for the work that truly matters. With a short reset each week, students build confidence, stay on track, and feel less stressed.

I’ve created a free 15-Minute Reset Checklist so you can use this exact tool with your student.

📥 DM me “RESET” and I’ll send it to you.

One powerful sentence can transform office hours.

Here’s what your student can say:
👋 “Hi Professor, I’m preparing for the exam and I’m stuck on ____. Could we walk through one example? And how would you study for this?”

Why it works:
✅ It’s short
✅ It’s respectful
✅ It’s specific

This kind of self-advocacy builds clarity, confidence, and trust with professors. The more students practice asking questions like this, the easier it becomes to get the support they need.

📘 Want more strategies like this? Download my free guide Is My Child Ready for College? and get a roadmap to help your student thrive before they even step on campus. Link in bio.

Midterms don’t have to be overwhelming. The key is to map it before you start.

Here’s how I coach students to get clear and stay calm:
✏️ List each class.
✏️ Write down the exam date and format (essay, multiple choice, etc.).
✏️ Break the exam into three weeks of topics.
✏️ Schedule study blocks for those topics.

That’s your exam map. It transforms panic into a plan. Progress always beats perfection, and mapping makes preparation manageable.

Hi, I’m Dr. Olga Duncan. I help students build the tools and systems that make success possible, not just in class, but in life.

✨ Download my free guide Is My Child Ready for College? and give your student the roadmap they need to thrive. Link in bio.

Start strong, finish strong.

Here’s a Sunday reset that sets students up for success:
✏️ Pick three wins you want for the week.
✏️Block focused study time.
✏️ Schedule short, realistic sprints.
✏️ Add one fun thing to look forward to.

When structure is paired with joy, students don’t just get through the week. They build routines that are sustainable and motivating. Small wins add up, and balance makes all the difference.

Hi, I’m Dr. Olga Duncan. I help students create systems that work for their brains, so they can thrive both in and out of the classroom.

✨ Download my free guide Is My Child Ready for College? and discover more strategies to help your student succeed with confidence. Link in bio.

ADHD time trick ⏱️ Plan backwards to study smarter, not harder.

Here’s how it works:
📅 Count how many days until the exam
📝 Break it down by weekly topics
⏲️ Schedule daily 25-minute study sprints
✨ Small, consistent reps beat last-minute cramming every time

When students use strategies like this, studying feels manageable and success feels possible. That’s the power of working with, not against, the brain.

📘 Want more practical tools like this? Download my free guide Is My Child Ready for College? today and give your student the roadmap they need. Link in bio.

Sleep is one of the most powerful study strategies.

The all-nighter? It doesn’t boost performance. It erases memory. Students actually learn and retain more when they prioritize rest.

Here’s what I recommend:
✨ Aim for 7–8 hours of sleep, especially during exam week.
✨ In the final 12 hours before a test, focus on practice problems, not cramming new material.
✨ Sleep helps the brain consolidate what has already been rehearsed, turning effort into lasting memory.

When students view sleep as part of their study plan, they not only perform better but also feel calmer and more confident walking into exams.

Hi, I’m Dr. Olga Duncan. I help students succeed by building habits and strategies that actually work with their brain.

✨ Download my free guide Is My Child Ready for College? and get a roadmap to help your student build the skills they need to thrive. Link in bio.

Focus doesn’t happen by accident, it happens by design.

Here’s a simple trick I teach my students: make focus the default.
✨ Put the phone across the room.
✨ Turn on “Do Not Disturb.”
✨ Run a timer on the laptop.

When distractions are out of reach, it’s easier for students to stay present and actually finish their work. This small change helps build the habit of intentional focus, without relying on constant willpower.

Hi, I’m Dr. Olga Duncan. I help students create systems that make success feel possible, not overwhelming.

✨ Want more tools that work in real life? Download my free guide Is My Child Ready for College? and give your student the roadmap they need to thrive. Link in bio.