Why This Season Feels Like a Mental Marathon and 7 Strategies to Survive It
Download MP3The back-to-school season is here, and if you have ADHD (or love someone who does), you might already feel that familiar cocktail of excitement, dread, and complete mental overload. This isn’t just about buying supplies or setting the alarm earlier — for ADHD brains, this transition is a full-on neurobiological workout.
In this bonus episode of Authentically ADHD, I’m breaking down exactly why the shift from summer to school hits us so hard and how you can navigate it without completely burning out.
Why Back-to-School is Hard for ADHD Brains
Research shows that ADHD impacts the brain’s executive function systems — the skills that help us plan, prioritize, and transition between tasks. Back-to-school season cranks up the demand on those systems and throws in:
- New schedules that disrupt routines and sleep cycles
- Sensory overload from noisy classrooms, bright lights, and bustling hallways
- Social energy drain from navigating new people and group settings
- Working memory strain from keeping track of deadlines, materials, and daily logistics
Add in performance pressure and the emotional load of change, and no wonder we end up mentally fried before the first bell rings.
The 7 Strategies to Survive (and Even Thrive)
In this episode, I share seven ADHD-friendly, research-backed strategies that help ease the transition:
- Front-Load Familiarity – Give your brain a preview to reduce uncertainty.
- Build Transition Buffers – Allow downtime between tasks to recharge.
- Externalize Everything – Use tools and visuals so your working memory doesn’t have to hold it all.
- Prioritize Regulation Before Learning – Calm the nervous system first for better focus.
- Pre-Pack and Stage – Reduce morning decision fatigue.
- Use Environmental Cues – Let your surroundings help prompt action.
- Compassion as a Strategy – Give yourself grace; the adjustment takes time.
Key Takeaway
Back-to-school isn’t just a change in location — it’s a neurological event for ADHD brains. The goal isn’t perfection; it’s creating systems and supports that work with your brain’s wiring, not against it.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the shift, this episode is your permiss
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