Study tips

This page is aimed at teenagers with dyslexia, who face particular problems when studying, whether at school or college.

If you have any tips or advice, for other teens, then please email them to us below.

Here are just a few tips that we have been given or collected so far. With many thanks to Emily who has been of great help. We have placed them under headings to try and make it easier to follow.

School work

• When you have loads of stuff to read for a class, try going over it with your friends. Discuss it together - you may find that you don't really need to read everything and they can point out the important parts.

• When writing an essay - forget about getting your spellings right in the first draft. Do the creative part first and then read it through and check your spellings. Try using a spellchecker - you can buy hand-held ones that look just like calculators.

• For English set texts - try to get them on an audio tape - it's really helpful. Also try to borrow a video tape (try the local library) as it really helps with both the memory and the understanding.

• Buy some coloured folders in which you can organise your school work eg. biology - red, maths - green.

  Have a wipe-clean board / notice board in your bedroom or downstairs. Use it to remind yourself of homework, clubs, exams, important facts for school etc.

  Equipment

• Laptop computers can be really useful if you are lucky enough to have access to one. Try to remember to always save your work onto a floppy disk. Keep a spare disc handy.

• Make use of computers at school. It will be really helpful for you, in the future, if you are confident in using them. There are also loads of great software and CD roms available. Try out some voice recognition software.

• Irlen filters help some people when reading. There are different colours and you would need to try them all to find out which, if any, would help you. Check out the Irlen website from our links page.

• Use a spellchecker

• Clubs, interests and hobbies

• If you play an instrument in an orchestra and find reading music difficult try listening to the piece first, especially your part. It should make it easier.

• Join lots of clubs and societies, both at school and college and outside. Dyslexics have many different strengths - try and find what your particular skills and strengths are. There are many successful dyslexics especially in the fields of acting, art, sport and music - even politics!

  Memory

• Learn how to make the best use of your memory. There are several books and tapes on this subject. They teach you how to use pictures to remember lists, facts or anything. Great for tests and exams!

  Self

• If people laugh at you because you make mistakes with reading or spelling then try laughing with them - otherwise, you can get really fed up.

• Find someone to talk to. Whether it's a friend, a teacher, a relative or your dog! Talking about the things you find difficult may help you to find ways to cope and as the saying goes 'it's good to talk!' (sorry!).