Top Law Schools

1L here with a bit of a problem. Over the past three weeks or so, I've been having some pretty major health problems. Thus far, I have had a bunch of tests run, but everything has come back normal. Despite this, I'm still going to the bathroom every hour or less (and I constantly feel like I have to "go"), I'm lethargic, I've lost weight, and I simply cannot focus. Doctors have given a range of hypotheses ranging from kidneys shutting down to prostate problems to diabetes, but no one has been able to pin anything down.

I've e-mailed my school's Dean of Students to see what I can do about my final exams. I don't feel like I can take them now, especially since it's become impossible to focus longer than 15 minutes. I'm hoping I can get some type of extension. (Tangentially, anyone have experience with this? I'm somewhat worried the school is going to say sorry, you're SOL).

So my problem essentially comes in about what to do about my summer jobs. I'm scheduled to split my summer, but with the writing competition and probably having to take my exams sometime over the summer, I don't know what I should tell my employers (a judge and a corporation). I would still like to work for both if at all feasible, but they obviously need to know about this situation soon in order to prepare/not prepare for me. Any ideas on what I should do?

School might let you drop your classes this semester and continue next Fall or Spring. That way you can focus on your health now and worry about school next year. Health is more important than a missed semester of school or work over the summer. Plus if you re-enroll next Spring you can still do your "1L" summer job next summer.

random5483 wrote:School might let you drop your classes this semester and continue next Fall or Spring. That way you can focus on your health now and worry about school next year. Health is more important than a missed semester of school or work over the summer. Plus if you re-enroll next Spring you can still do your "1L" summer job next summer.

This. I know someone who got an extension for the summer for a class that was based on a paper. It was a 2L class, and not a class with a final, but still curved, so it's possible it can be done.

But get your health in order, that is way more important.

If you're up front with both employers, I would imagine that they'll be understanding and try to help in any way that they can. I would call your HR point person at the corporation and the clerk that you've been dealing with for the judicial externship, then explain the situation (though you do not have to go into detail about the nature of the health problems if you don't want to). I would emphasize that you want to stick with your commitment as much as possible, but I would ask if there are flexible work arrangements possible (e.g., flexibility re: hours, working from home some days, etc).

Feel better.

OP here.

Thanks, guys. I don't think this is serious enough for me to have to take a semester off, assuming my school will allow me to take my exams sometime over the summer (and assuming the specialist I'm going to see can pin down an answer). If they won't let me do it, though, I'm good as screwed.

Pending what my school allows me to do with my exams, I'm probably going to have to drop one of my summer jobs, which is going to be really awkward since I just e-mailed one of them to confirm the times. Sigh, I know this is a valid reason, but awkward nonetheless.

Anonymous User wrote:OP here.

Thanks, guys. I don't think this is serious enough for me to have to take a semester off, assuming my school will allow me to take my exams sometime over the summer (and assuming the specialist I'm going to see can pin down an answer). If they won't let me do it, though, I'm good as screwed.

Pending what my school allows me to do with my exams, I'm probably going to have to drop one of my summer jobs, which is going to be really awkward since I just e-mailed one of them to confirm the times. Sigh, I know this is a valid reason, but awkward nonetheless.

I can't imagine anyone holding it against you. I mean medical reasons are a solid excuse. I don't think the school will let you take exams in the summer for Spring classes. They will let you delay a week or so till the make-up exams if you have a valid medical reason. However, prior to the date of the exams schools will usually let you drop out of your classes for a valid medical reason. Meaning, you can get out of the exams and not get bad grades, but you will be on the hook for the cost of the classes.

Still, it is much better to lose the money and repay for the classes than get bad grades due to medical problems, or worse, let your health suffer due to the additional stress of finals.

You have anxiety.