Studying while neurodivergent

It’s important to consider how you learn best before beginning a CIH qualification. If you’re neurodivergent, you might feel like traditional study advice doesn’t fit your needs. We know there’s no single solution for everyone, so we’ve posed some questions to ask yourself below to lead you in the right direction. 

Why am I doing this? 

Before you get started on studying, make a list of the reasons you’ve decided to undertake a housing qualification. Are you trying to boost your industry knowledge so you can apply for a role in the sector? Do you want to learn how to better support the communities you work with? Are you upskilling to meet company or regulatory requirements? Whatever your reason for studying, you need to be clear on it. 

You shouldn’t force yourself to study if you’re not in the right headspace, but it can be motivational to remind yourself of the passion you feel for housing. If symptoms like executive dysfunction or low mood prevent you from learning sometimes, it’s not the end of the world. Both neurodivergent and neurotypical people experience days where things just don’t get done, and you shouldn’t be hard on yourself for it. 

What works for others? 

If you’ve got neurodivergent family, friends, or colleagues, ask them how they approach studying or focussing on work. Every brain is different, so these might not work for you, but it’s good to have an ideas bank that you can go back to if needed. 

If how you’re studying isn’t clicking for you, don’t be afraid to switch things up. If you can’t focus on reading long paragraphs, try turning them into flashcards; if flashcards aren’t your thing, try reading the text aloud to someone else.  

It’s also worth looking into common tools that other neurodivergent people use for support, such as clearer fonts for dyslexic learners, or text-to-speech software for those with dyspraxia. Your employer might offer support if you’re studying while working, and don’t forget that the My Housing Academy website has a built-in accessibility tool that allows you to tailor the site to your needs. 

What’s my plan? 

How did you study when you were last in education? What subjects did you enjoy, and how did you revise for them? Try these methods first when starting your CIH qualification, then move onto others if they aren’t the right fit. 

We know routine can be helpful, especially for autistic and ADHD individuals. We suggest splitting your syllabus into manageable chunks and assigning a realistic amount of time to each of them. If you’ve chosen an Online Plus course with the Housing Academy, you could even structure your study around your tutor support time. 

Highlight modules that particularly interest you, so you can look forward to studying them. Doing extra research like watching videos about the topic or applying it in your day-to-day work can help you to feel more invested in your learning. 

Where will I study? 

Setting up a space for studying is a great way to get into the right headspace to learn, especially if your neurodivergence means you feel more comfortable with a routine. If having a specific study area isn’t possible for you, assigning certain notebooks, pens, or headphones to use while working can be part of your routine instead. Making learning a sensory experience means it can be more engaging, so make sure your work area is an enjoyable place to be.  

Whether you study on your own is up to you. If you’ve got ADHD you might find it helpful to sit with someone while you work to keep concentration, but if you’ve got Tourette’s you may prefer to study in a private space where you don’t feel pressure to suppress tics. Whichever works best for you is okay. 

What am I good at? 

As a neurodivergent person, it can be easy to get so caught up in things you struggle with that you forget everything you excel at. Nobody can be good at everything, and most people go through an adjustment period when starting a new qualification.  

List out your strengths and use them to your advantage. Do you care a lot about getting things right in your housing job? Do you become invested in certain topics and research them thoroughly? Do you solve problems in creative ways that others might not think of? These are all things that will help you not only while studying, but in general as a housing professional.  

We hope this blog has been helpful, and that you feel ready to study a CIH qualification with us. Please reach out to the Housing Academy and our Learner Support team will be happy to discuss the support available to you.