Exams have always been a pain, as someone with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). For the most part, I am like every other neurotypical person when it comes to preparation; I study the material and try everything I can to be ready. When it comes to taking the tests, however, that’s where things are different. Focus is something I inherently struggle with, and it takes me longer than the average person to complete assignments.

Thankfully, I receive accommodations, where I am placed in a quieter environment and provided the extra time I need. However, that is not always what I need, and sometimes it is more of a detriment. If I am in the testing room around the time a lot of classes start, then I hear the shuffling around of 20 students coming in to take their own tests. I understand that’s just how things go, and that it is nobody’s fault, but that doesn’t change the fact that I lost 10 minutes that could have been spent focusing. That is not even accounting for the people who make no effort to at least whisper when talking to the proctor.

To be fair, it is a reduced-distractions environment that is being offered, but I truly do wish it could be a no-distractions environment. It is even worse during finals. Everyone is stuck in the big multipurpose rooms by the main entrance of the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center.

But the thing is, there is no easy solution to this. It is impossible to have a way to satisfy every person’s needs, at least not practically or efficiently. Do not get me wrong, I truly do appreciate what is able to be implemented for accommodations, but it is hard not to wish for truly ideal circumstance