Introduction

We all have learning strengths and areas that make study more challenging. Reflecting on the kinds of difficulties that might interfere with your progress is a great first step to improving your university experience.

Learning difficulties or differences may be identified and ongoing, or temporary, following an event, an illness, a course of medication or other such setbacks.

You may be part of the neurodivergent community, with neurodevelopmental differences such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) or Autism Spectrum Disorder. You may have been given a diagnosis of anxiety or depression, or have an acquired brain injury. Or, since starting university, you may have noticed that you seem to have neurological differences, learning differences or learning difficulties that are affecting your study.

Wherever you are in your journey, this resource is designed to give you strategies to help.

These are the most common learning differences that have an impact on studies.

Concentration

Concentration difficulties can arise from different causes and have different effects on your study. You may have temporary difficulty concentrating due to recent experiences or anxiety, or it may be part of a lifelong condition.

Memory and recall

Difficulties with memory and recall can vary. You may have difficulty creating new memories, difficulty recalling specific information or past events, or difficulty learning or retrieving new words.

Reading

Reading at university is complex and challenging and many students feel overwhelmed initially.

But there are many tools available to help and ways to tailor study strategies to your own needs.

Confidence

Lack of confidence can affect how you feel about attending and speaking up in class, as well as how you feel about yourself and your abilities.

Interpersonal skills

Difficulty relating to others can impact the way you participate in group work or in class, but you may have other strengths you can contribute, like memory skills, visual and spatial skills, creativity and great knowledge on topics of interest.

Managing stress

Small amounts of stress can help you focus; however, when stress makes you feel overwhelmed and unable to concentrate or be productive, it’s important to seek help.