Tips for Dyslexics

Hi!

Firstly, yes, long time no see. I've been so busy with university that I couldn't stand to read or write. I’ve just finished though, so I'm excited to start this up again!

Since my most popular blog post was on dyslexia, I thought I would elaborate. If you have not read that post, do go and check that out. In basic terms, I will be addressing some solutions for dyslexics. These tips are, of course, transferrable to everybody, but will be aimed at difficulties of dyslexics. I discovered these mainly throughout university, but all these tips are totally applicable throughout all studies and, for some, in work life. I hope this helps.

Organisation:

Monthly planner

I used to have a weekly and daily planner. However, both planners didn’t work for me because suddenly, my university deadlines would creep up because I never anticipated my deadlines. So, I invested in a monthly planner. With this, I could visually see upcoming deadlines and anticipate my daily tasks.

Colour code

I would colour code my entire planner for basically everything. I took three modules as part of my university degree, which was sometimes difficult to manage because they were separate in content and deadlines. To solve this problem, I would use a different colour for each subject. You could do the same for each module if you would like to. I used different colours for work dates. Make sure to schedule personal times into your diary in order to keep a balance of working and having a life.

To-do lists

This is for the smaller daily tasks. Making to-do lists can stress some people out, but if you break the tasks into small and manageable chunks, it should not. I would typically add this to the monthly notes section in my monthly planner. Try and buy a planner that has this, or a to-do section. If not, you can buy this separately or compile this digitally via an app.

Readings:

Do your readings

Many people do not do their readings and just wait for their assignments or exams for the first read. I would firmly say not to do this. Some works can be complex and must be broken down; otherwise, you risk misunderstanding the readings. So, even though it takes time, do your reading. It’s a necessary process.

Try and do your readings before the module starts

Sometimes the module does not give out the reading lists before the course starts because the time restraints are part of the challenge of your degree. This happened a lot during my university degree, but sometimes they give the lists out before the module begins. If so, do your readings before; it will save you loads of time during the semester.

Mind-maps

Instead of standard bullet-pointed notes, I create a digital mind-map. This helps because everything is on one page. You can branch the mind-map directly using the headings and sub-headings used from the readings. This will help if you need to cite the work in the future. I used the software Mindmanager, which I hugely recommend.

Essays:

Plan

Again, I used the software Mindmanager to do this. I would break down the question and create a detailed structure for the essay. When done, you can import this as notes or in the mind-map format onto a Microsoft document. From here, you can begin elaborating on your planned sections.

Again, colour code

When you begin writing your essay, the division of sections can become confusing. The solution for this is colour coding. Use a different colour for each section.

Topic sentences

Make sure you have a topic sentence that explains that paragraph. Put this in bold to help you with the development of the section.

References

Make sure you keep track of all the sources you have used. I used the software Zotero. This is a plugin that attaches to your web browser. Every time you read a source, you can save it to your folder in Zotero. You can later import this into your bibliography in your chosen citation style. Embedded citations also work with Zotero. This helps with finding your references and imputing every reference in yourself.

I’m going to leave it here. I hope this helps!

Love,

Shanaz Xx