470: Tips for Neurodivergent Law Students (w/Heather Varanini and Rebecca Petrilli)

The Law School Toolbox Podcast: Tools for Law Students from 1L to the Bar Exam, and Beyond

Welcome back to the Law School Toolbox podcast! We have two special guests today, talking about how neurodivergent students can reach their full potential in law school. We're speaking with Heather Varanini, Director of Academic Achievement and Adjunct Professor at Golden Gate University School of Law in San Francisco, and Rebecca Petrilli, Director of Marketing Content Strategy at Themis Bar Review.

Note: This episode is sponsored by Themis Bar Review – the gold standard in bar exam preparation. Right now, Themis has a special offer for Law School Toolbox podcast listeners. Any Themis course, whether you're sitting for the bar in 2025, 2026, or 2027, is at the cost of $1,695 with the promo code LAWSCHOOLTB1200. (This offer is valid until December 1, 2024.)

In this episode we discuss:

• An introduction to our guests and why the topic of neurodiversity is important to them
• Common challenges for neurodivergent students in law school
• How to stay focused during long lectures
• Handling the stress of being cold called in class
• The debate on laptop bans in the classroom
• Resources and support for neurodivergent law students

Resources:

• Themis Bar Review (https://www.themisbar.com/)
• The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt (https://www.amazon.com/Anxious-Generation-Rewiring-Childhood-Epidemic/dp/0593655036)
• Examples & Explanations series (https://aspenpublishing.com/collections/examples-explanations)
• Podcast Episode 112: Managing Distractions in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-112-managing-distractions-in-law-school/)
• Podcast Episode 427: A Discussion with Author Jessica Elefante on the Power of Influence in the Digital Age (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-427-a-discussion-with-author-jessica-elefante-on-the-power-of-influence-in-the-digital-age/)
• Podcast Episode 437: Quick Tips – Succeeding in Law School with ADHD (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-437-quick-tips-succeeding-in-law-school-with-adhd/)
• Podcast Episode 439: Keys to Law School Success with Themis (w/Michele Cooley) (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-439-keys-to-law-school-success-with-themis-w-michele-cooley/)
• Podcast Episode 445: Best Practices for Getting Accommodations in Law School (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/podcast-episode-445-best-practices-for-getting-accommodations-in-law-school/)

Download the Transcript (https://lawschooltoolbox.com/episode-470-tips-for-neurodivergent-law-students-w-heather-varanini-and-rebecca-petrilli/)

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Thanks for listening!

Alison & Lee