With it being the end of finals and a new semester approaching soon, I have gotten a few questions about accommodations. Generally, people who ask about accommodations are genuinely asking in good faith and I’m more than willing to answer any questions you may have, so please keep reaching out!!
Also, here is the link to a previous post I wrote specifically for people trying to receive accommodations.
However, sometimes, I have gone through experiences like this one I had during undergrad: someone who was in my Orgo class was always complaining about how hard it was and how there was never enough time to finish the exam. Because of her future plans, she kept saying how she could not get less than a B, but how that seemed impossible. And I completely understood where she was coming from—certain classes just don’t come as easily to some people as they do to others.
But one day, she told me about how she went to one of the school therapists, got really emotional and talked about how there was a lot of stuff affecting school. This is a legitimate concern, but not when it’s based on a lie to get accommodations. She told me that she just cried so the therapist would be able to help her get more time on the Orgo exam. As she was finishing her story, she told me that she found out people are able to get more time on their exams through accommodations, so she wanted to try it out.
At that moment, I told her, “I know, I get accommodations too.” She asked how I got them and I told her it’s because of my long-term mental health conditions. She was taken aback and said something like, “Oh, well I think I may have anxiety too, so I’m not really faking it.”
I completely get it, Orgo is hard. So are many other courses in school. And everyone (most people) get nervous before exams and freak out while taking exams. Some people may even get panic or anxiety attacks when it comes to being evaluated on their performance in school. And for some of those individuals, it may be the best path to seek help. For most of those students, therapy is always a good option, because I believe anyone can benefit from even a session or two. In addition to therapy, meditating and relaxing techniques can calm some students’ nerves.
Playing sports, going for a run, writing, or any other hobby can help people bring focus and perspective into balancing their lives. This balance, if sought and maintained, should generally clear a student’s mind. It’s unfortunate, but the educational system here leads many students towards having to find ways to 
balance school with the rest of their lives without getting too overwhelmed. Preparing for and taking exams is a hurdle most students have to jump over.
However, there are some students who have an additional hurdle—a physical, visual, or mental disability. I sometimes hate using that word because of the negative connotation it has been given in our world today. It makes it seem like a disability disables someone from achieving their true potential. In some cases, that may be true. However, in the majority of cases, if these individuals are given a level playing field, they are no less capable of achieving what they set out to do. They prove that they can continue shining with their unique abilities.
For students with [dis]abilities, that level playing field is sometimes given through accommodations. When people hear about accommodations, I get responses like “oh that’s so cool” or “I wish I got that.”
However, it’s not what we want—it’s what we need. I am so scared to disclose my depression or anxiety on applications, pick and choose who I talk to about it because of varying reactions, and have read about some state bars not being too fond of licensing new attorneys who have a history of mental health conditions. I can never lie about it, because (1) it’s just who I am and (2) it’s in my medical & school records. So, it’s not really “cool” or something people should “wish for.” It’s terrifying sometimes, but it’s a necessity.
We don’t ask for these accommodations because we’re nervous about an exam or because we freak out about not having enough time to finish. If everyone who had anxious thoughts about school requested accommodations, I feel like the entire school would have accommodations! I think in my class of about 200, there are less than 8 students who receive accommodations. I believe that says a lot about who truly needs them.
We receive accommodations because we (most) were born this way. There is some part of our bodies that doesn’t allow us—physically or mentally—to perform to the best of our abilities in a standardized testing environment.
I’m not saying that school anxiety is something that is small or should be ignored. Situational anxiety and situational depression of any kind is very common and very real. Whatever the case may be, seeking help or treatment is key to potentially curing that episode.
However, when I was diagnosed, I was told that I would need long-term therapy, medication, or another treatment plan to properly maintain this lifelong condition.
Accommodations can be really hard to obtain. For visual and physical conditions, there are strict requirements that need to be met. The same can be said about emotional and mental conditions. However, there is a higher chance that fraudulent claims are made with mental health because sometimes there aren’t physical symptoms that manifest.
People who need accommodations may not know they exist, so I love talking about resources that may be unknown to them. However, at the same time, it scares me knowing that there are people taking advantage of such resources. If you are struggling in school, definitely reach out for help—talk to professors, faculty, other students, friends, and family. Do things that give you a nice balance—in your daily life and in your mind.
If something still feels wrong, go to a therapist! But please don’t go to a therapist for the sole reason of receiving accommodations, if you know for a fact you don’t need them. Go to a therapist to help clear your mind, to find new paths, or to determine what you may need in life. And maybe accommodations will be suggested for you!
It may be easy for some people to fake things and receive accommodations based on where they are and how strict the requirements are. However, people who may actually need them may give up along the way because the process can be so long and excruciating.
I didn’t start going to a doctor because I was struggling in school or to get accommodations. I learned about them a year after my appointments started through a friend. And it took multiple phone calls, appointments, and paperwork to receive something that I was told was needed for me to be at the same level playing field as the rest of my classmates. I was so ready to give up because the process was so frustrating.
And it shocked me that the girl from undergrad was able to cry to a therapist and receive accommodations from one appointment (even though I think it was only for that semester, not long-term. And that is definitely a great option for anyone going through anything! Many schools help provide short-term accommodations or other resources for students who may be going through personal or health things, so reach out if you ever have a lot going on!).
I don’t talk about it as much, but when I do tell people, it’s hard to explain in person. Sometimes I’m ashamed, it makes me feel like I’m dumb or it gets frustrating when people don’t understand. However, I’m slowly learning how to embrace it and accept that I am bright, in my own way. I don’t take medicine or continuously go to therapy/appointments, but this is one of the things that has become a part of my longterm treatment plan. What I want is for others who have other lifelong conditions to be able to have access to these resources so they can show their true potential, without it being snatched away from people 
who may just want better grades.
Please don’t take advantage of the resources that others may need to simply live a normal life. They need to know these resources exist, but it shouldn’t be as hard for them to obtain as it is easy for others to fake. Just continue being kind and respectful of what people deserve! And if you truly think accommodations may be something you need, please reach out—to me or to anyone who you think may be able to help guide you to the right resources!!
