5 Tips for Law Students with ADHD
Law school can be daunting to even the best students. For law students with ADHD, the pressure can be debilitating. Law school is structured differently than most other graduate programs. Students are expected to self motivate to read dense caselaw, identify the meaning, and apply the arguments and logical reasoning to a single end-of-semester exam. Law school grades are very high stakes and form the basis of many law firms’ hiring decisions. The unique demands of this high-pressure environment create the need for a skill set that poses a particular challenge to those with ADHD.
But there is hope. Students with ADHD must understand their strengths and weaknesses, develop a plan, and seek out support. Below are five tips that will benefit the typical ADHD profile and enable any student to thrive.
1. Know Thyself
ADHD is a self-regulation difference that can get in the way of appropriate self-care. The only way to be a top student is to stay on top of yourself. The key to thriving with ADHD is understanding what you need to reach peak emotional, physical, and psychological health. This means understanding your strengths and weaknesses and knowing when to ask for help.
Many people with ADHD will allow poor boundaries to cause guilt, shame, resentment, and overwhelm. This can lead to poor self-confidence and self-respect and lower productivity, energy, and overall happiness. Prioritizing good sleep, healthy food, movement, and activities that bring joy may be important for anyone, but it is essential for those with ADHD.
Poor self-regulation can mean ignoring the signs of burnout until it is too late and there is very little room for error in the legal field. Asking yourself important questions such as how much sleep do I need and what brings me joy will enable you to regulate your needs and stay in the healthiest place possible to maximize success.
2. Think Beyond Medication
Medication is an invaluable tool for managing ADHD, but it doesn’t always solve every problem. While medication can help control many ADHD symptoms, it still might be necessary to get specific instruction and guidance around prioritizing and planning. An ADHD coach can teach you executive functioning skills and provide personalized support navigating law school.
Law school helps you consider your priorities and make a plan. Law school is a marathon, not a sprint, and requires methodically keeping up with the reading for the semester. Cramming during finals just won't work, especially for someone with ADHD who struggles with working memory.
A therapist can also help with stress management and the emotional toll that law school can take.
