ADHD in Law School? Forum

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lmitchell11

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ADHD in Law School?

Post by lmitchell11 » Thu Dec 19, 2013 5:36 pm

I have ADHD (which is managed by medication) however I am worried about how it will work out if I choose to go to law school? My medication can typically carry me from about 7 am to 4 or 5 pm and then I am a mess. My medication not only quits working, it leaves me irritated and exhausted because it is a stimulant. Most of the time with homework and readings I can keep up but it takes a lot of willpower. I know that in law school the reading load will be a lot greater (maybe? I'm a philosophy major.) I can read for 4 hours straight if I am interested in the material (a common ADHD trait) but if I hate it there are times when I won't last a single paragraph without medication. Does anyone else have experience managing ADHD in law school? How did it work out for you?

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Black Hat

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Re: ADHD in Law School?

Post by Black Hat » Thu Dec 26, 2013 7:22 pm

.
Last edited by Black Hat on Thu Jan 23, 2014 5:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Nova

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Re: ADHD in Law School?

Post by Nova » Thu Dec 26, 2013 7:24 pm

OP wrote: My medication can typically carry me from about 7 am to 4 or 5 pm


If you can spend 8 solid hours a day on school, youll be fine

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Black Hat

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Re: ADHD in Law School?

Post by Black Hat » Thu Dec 26, 2013 7:27 pm

Nova wrote:If you can spend 8 solid hours a day on school, youll be fine

Nova, I am dying to know. What LS do you attend?

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Nova

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Re: ADHD in Law School?

Post by Nova » Thu Dec 26, 2013 7:33 pm

Minnesota

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sinfiery

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Re: ADHD in Law School?

Post by sinfiery » Fri Dec 27, 2013 12:24 am

Nova wrote:
OP wrote: My medication can typically carry me from about 7 am to 4 or 5 pm


If you can spend 85 solid hours a day on school, youll be fine



except finals

are you able to study more during finals? like 12-15 hours/day?

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samcro_op

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Re: ADHD in Law School?

Post by samcro_op » Fri Dec 27, 2013 12:37 am

I would also recommend talking to your dean of students about this as far as scheduling goes. Since you don't get to pick you could have a schedule that makes it hard to manage. My next semester I have 90+% of my in class hours on MTW. I am a 1L so I didn't get to have almost any say in this. However if I had a reason like you for this to change I am sure my Dean would accommodate me.

UnderrateOverachieve

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Re: ADHD in Law School?

Post by UnderrateOverachieve » Fri Dec 27, 2013 12:54 am

Very doable. Check with your school for available accommodation.

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Black Hat

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Re: ADHD in Law School?

Post by Black Hat » Fri Dec 27, 2013 1:39 am

sinfiery wrote:
Nova wrote:
OP wrote: My medication can typically carry me from about 7 am to 4 or 5 pm


If you can spend 85 solid hours a day on school, youll be fine



are you able to study more during finals? like 12-15 hours/day?
Wow, that is a bit of over kill, even during exams. IMO.

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UnderrateOverachieve

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Re: ADHD in Law School?

Post by UnderrateOverachieve » Fri Dec 27, 2013 1:42 am

Cyclopsmotown18592 wrote:
sinfiery wrote:
Nova wrote:
OP wrote: My medication can typically carry me from about 7 am to 4 or 5 pm


If you can spend 85 solid hours a day on school, youll be fine



are you able to study more during finals? like 12-15 hours/day?
Wow, that is a bit of over kill, even during exams. IMO.
I do exactly 12 hours of studying a day during finals. As long as I eat, take some 5-10 minute breaks, and try and spend at least a couple hours with someone else, it works out fine. Helps to have ADHD medication.

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Black Hat

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Re: ADHD in Law School?

Post by Black Hat » Fri Dec 27, 2013 2:16 am

!

keviiiiiiiiiiiin

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Re: ADHD in Law School?

Post by keviiiiiiiiiiiin » Fri Feb 21, 2014 7:31 pm

lmitchell11 wrote:I have ADHD (which is managed by medication) however I am worried about how it will work out if I choose to go to law school? My medication can typically carry me from about 7 am to 4 or 5 pm and then I am a mess. My medication not only quits working, it leaves me irritated and exhausted because it is a stimulant. Most of the time with homework and readings I can keep up but it takes a lot of willpower. I know that in law school the reading load will be a lot greater (maybe? I'm a philosophy major.) I can read for 4 hours straight if I am interested in the material (a common ADHD trait) but if I hate it there are times when I won't last a single paragraph without medication. Does anyone else have experience managing ADHD in law school? How did it work out for you?
If it only helps you for 9 hours a day, why take it at all?

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Nova

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Re: ADHD in Law School?

Post by Nova » Fri Feb 21, 2014 10:08 pm

probably cause 9 is better than 0

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Jchance

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Re: ADHD in Law School?

Post by Jchance » Fri Feb 21, 2014 10:13 pm

lmitchell11 wrote:I have ADHD (which is managed by medication) however I am worried about how it will work out if I choose to go to law school? My medication can typically carry me from about 7 am to 4 or 5 pm and then I am a mess. My medication not only quits working, it leaves me irritated and exhausted because it is a stimulant. Most of the time with homework and readings I can keep up but it takes a lot of willpower. I know that in law school the reading load will be a lot greater (maybe? I'm a philosophy major.) I can read for 4 hours straight if I am interested in the material (a common ADHD trait) but if I hate it there are times when I won't last a single paragraph without medication. Does anyone else have experience managing ADHD in law school? How did it work out for you?
take reduced workload, like part-time, and ask for extra-time on exam (which you should qualify for). Then rock all exams.

AnnafutureJDstudent

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Re: ADHD in Law School?

Post by AnnafutureJDstudent » Tue Feb 25, 2014 9:29 pm

Black Hat wrote:.
I believe you should do what ever you want. I have cerebral palsy and I won't let it stop me. Have faith in yourself

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