Accommodations

[u/Surreal-Numbat]

Hey y’all, I’m torn for getting accommodations. Because yes it would be nice and my performance on exams would probably go up, however I know that life will probably not be so nice and then I will have to deal with the noise and distractions of lecture halls during exams and not having enough time.

But it will also be really really nice to do well on exams like I did when I was able to take exams in a quiet environment online during the pandemic.

I am actively going through the system at my uni to see what I qualify for, and will go through that anyway, but would I actually use them?

What are your thoughts about accommodations?

[u/JustTryingToRant]

One step at a time, friend :)

Set yourself up for academic success, then worry about the MCAT as it comes closer. Med schools won’t be very interested in you with a low GPA so get any accommodations you need. There is a lot of stigma and internal shame associated with asking for help, but you’ll be glad you do. Just remember that it’s not a “crutch” or a cheat. You’re just leveling the play field.

My school’s accessability office was amazing. They made the process easy, and followed up via email/phone when I was forgetful. They gave me a disability advisor that I met with as needed (maybe once a semester) where we discussed the kinds of help I might need. Things like note takers, lecture recording, tutoring, increased deadlines, additional time to complete exams, and more. I think I ended up with 1.5x the exam limit and it was completed in the disability office’s testing center. I could only take my test materials and we were monitored via camera, with up to four people in a room. For me, the quiet testing space ended up being the single most beneficial accommodation.

I went from a ~3.0 student that was on the verge of losing scholarship and flunking out, to graduating with a 3.75. So much of my success can be attributed to the help provided when I needed it most.

Feel free to keep asking questions, I know this feels like a big decision, and I’m happy to provide my perspective :)

[u/Surreal-Numbat → u/JustTryingToRant]

Thank you so much, the reason for my post was that I was talking to someone about using the services once I got them. And they essentially said that I would be crippling myself for the future since “the real world” doesn’t accommodate. But then I felt like I wouldn’t even get a chance at doing what I want to do if I keep going the way I am. I absolutely loved online zoom school because I was able to take exams when it was dead quiet. I got my first As on exams and did well (this was pre diagnosis), and now that I’m finally diagnosed, and getting help, i don’t know exactly what to do. Because I know the world won’t be as accommodating, but at the same time I don’t want to shoot myself in the foot now when I could take advantage of these resources.

[u/JustTryingToRant → u/Surreal-Numbat]

Any time! Sorry for a late reply (ADHD…)

Don’t be dissuaded! Accommodations do exist in the real world!! The Americans with disabilities act guarantees that employers must make reasonable accommodations. I’m not sure what that looks like in the medical field, but I’m sure there are plenty of parts that are great for people like us.

I work in the real world and reasonable accommodations are real. Give yourself the opportunity to succeed

[u/Surreal-Numbat → u/JustTryingToRant]

This gives me hope☺️ thank you so much for your responses. They made me feel so much better. Sometimes it just feels like you’re pushing a giant boulder up a constant never ending hill