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The start of college is an exciting time for many teens and young adults, but it’s also a major adjustment, especially for people with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or other neurodevelopmental conditions.

“As opposed to high school, university life usually requires a much greater degree of independence and self-reliance, something that individuals with ADHD may struggle with, both in their personal and academic lives,” says Julian Lagoy, MD, a psychiatrist with Mindpath Health in San Jose, California.

It’s true, according to a study published in 2021 in the Journal of Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology, that college students with ADHD are more likely to face significant challenges, such as depression and anxiety, than their peers without ADHD. But it’s also true, according to the same study, that simply receiving academic support can help ensure that college students with ADHD reach their full potential.

Specifically, students with ADHD should be encouraged to advocate for themselves by taking advantage of any academic accommodations and support services offered by their university for students diagnosed with the condition. The fact that these services are offered is proof that the student is not alone, note experts at the nonprofit organization Children and Adults With Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD). There are plenty of other students with ADHD on campus.

What’s more, these accommodations are not a favor — they’re the law. ADHD, like other disabilities, is protected under the Americans With Disabilities Act, which gives people with ADHD (and others with specific needs) the right to receive reasonable accommodations in public spaces, including academic settings.

“Basically, the accommodations are so that you are on a level playing field with your peers,” says Monica Blied, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in ADHD and autism testing and is also an adjunct professor of psychology at Pepperdine University in Malibu, California. A first step, she adds, is to know before arriving on campus whether there are any deadlines you must meet to register for such accommodations.

An added benefit of checking with the school early, Dr. Lagoy notes, is that “students can reach out for secure support in advance, instead of reacting under pressure and perhaps not completing tasks or schoolwork.”