Learning shouldn’t feel like an uphill battle, yet I know for many of you, that’s exactly what it is. You’ve probably been told to memorise more, stick to a schedule, and just focus harder—as if those things were that simple. But here’s the thing: those methods weren’t designed for your brain.
If you’re autistic, ADHD, or both, traditional learning techniques might be working against you rather than for you.
So let’s talk about why they fail—and more importantly, what actually works for you.
Why Traditional Learning Methods Don’t Work for Your Brain
1. Rote Memorisation: The Fast Track to Forgetting
You’ve been told that repeating information over and over again will make it stick. But if you’re anything like me, you know that memorisation without meaning is like trying to hold water in a sieve—it slips away before you can grasp it.
ADHD brains thrive on context and connection—you need to see how pieces fit together to truly understand them. The ADHD brain also struggles with repetition because it’s boring (and let’s be real, if it’s boring, it’s not sticking).
Have you ever tried these:
Storytelling & Analogies – Make information personal. Connect it to real-life experiences or turn it into a story.
Mind Maps & Visuals – Your brain thrives on connections, so create a web of information that actually makes sense to you.
Teach It to Someone Else – Explaining things in your own words forces your brain to process it more deeply.
2. Rigid Learning Schedules: A One-Way Ticket to Burnout
You’ve probably tried the whole “study from 4–6 PM every day” routine. And if that worked, you wouldn’t be here. Neurodivergent brains don’t work on demand—we work in waves of energy, interest, and focus.
If you’re autistic, you might struggle with interruptions that break your focus, making it harder to get back into the flow. If you’re ADHD, trying to focus when your brain isn’t ready is like trying to push a boulder uphill with a spoon.
What about testing these:
Task-Based Learning Sessions – Instead of forcing yourself to sit down for two hours, set a goal like “Write one paragraph” or “Summarise this chapter in five bullet points.” This makes learning feel achievable instead of overwhelming.
Body Doubling – Study alongside someone (even virtually) to help with accountability and motivation.
Flexible Study Windows – Instead of setting a fixed study time, give yourself a window (e.g., “Sometime between 2 PM and 6 PM”), so you can start when your brain is actually ready.
3. Build a Study Routine That Works for YOU
Forget what everyone else is doing. You need to learn in a way that makes sense for your brain.
Try these approaches:
Define a Routine That Fits Your Brain – Maybe you work best at night. Maybe you need music in the background. Maybe you need to switch topics frequently to stay engaged. Figure out what works for you and own it.
Use Movement to Tap into Your Kinaesthetic Memory – If you remember things better when you’re moving, lean into that. Walk around while reading, use hand gestures, or even bounce a ball while recalling key concepts.
Make Your Sensory System Work for You – If silence is overstimulating, try white noise or instrumental music. If bright lights drain you, adjust your study space. The more comfortable your environment, the more your brain will cooperate.
How to Make Learning Actually Work for You
Now that we’ve debunked what doesn’t work, let’s talk about what actually helps you learn in a way that doesn’t drain you.
1. Set Up a Sensory-Friendly Learning Space
Your learning space needs to work for you—not for some outdated idea of what ‘productive’ should look like. Try:
Use noise-cancelling headphones or background sounds (white noise, music, nature sounds).
Have fidget tools nearby to help with focus.
Sit in a way that feels comfortable—even if that means working on the floor or using a standing desk.
2. Take Notes in a Way That Works for Your Brain
Writing pages of notes? Exhausting. Instead, make your notes engaging and personalised so they actually help you retain information. Try:
Colour-Coded Notes – Helps with organisation and visual recall.
Audio Notes & Speech-to-Text – If writing feels too slow, record yourself or use dictation tools.
Doodle Notes & Sketchnotes – Engage both your attention and memory by making notes more visual.
Learning Shouldn’t Feel Like a Fight
The problem isn’t that you’re bad at learning—it’s that you’ve been taught to learn in ways that don’t work for your brain.
It’s time to ditch the guilt, drop the outdated methods, and build a system that works for YOU. You don’t need to ‘just focus harder’ or force yourself into a schedule that feels unnatural. You need tools that support the way your brain actually functions.
So, what’s the first habit you’re going to change? Drop a comment or let me know—I’d love to hear how you’re making learning work for you!
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