Hello,

I got an email from another student in my class asking me how I was able to be allowed extra time on my tests, she told me the administrative assistant told her that I get extra time allowed on my tests and that I even come in earlier than the rest of the class for this accomodation. I'm upset because I didn't want the other student's to know this about me at all and up until now I have managed to keep this a secret, only because I don't want to be looked at differently. How should I approach this situation and what should I tell my classmate? I don't want her to know my personal business but now she will know Im lying because they make us test in the same room even though my papers from my psychologist clearly state that I'm to be in a room by myself for tests due to my anxiety.

You said it was an administrative assistant? I'd speak with the prof and the nursing school dean. I'd tell my fellow student to MYOB (perhaps in a nicer but this is the end of the matter type comment) - something like, I'm sorry "fill in the name," I hope you understand that I'd like to keep certain things personal. And then just ignore it.

I have to think that testing in a separate classroom might make you stick out more and perhaps be ostracized though - just a thought.

Or. You can go the other route and just tell people that you have test anxiety and that you have an accommodation and you can act like you don't think there is a thing wrong with that (because there isn't). Maybe your fellow student also has something for which she needs an accommodation and that is why she is asking you.

Either way is fine and is YOUR decision. But either way, you need to ensure that the professor and dean know what the administrative student is up to because confidentiality in nursing is a BIG DEAL. They need to know they have an admn who isn't respecting it.

I think the fact that the student came to you directly indicates that she may need help with the same thing. If all she wanted to do was gossip, she would have told all of your classmates not email you. I might tell her exactly what you said here. You did not want the class to know. You will appreciate her discretion in this matter. If she wants to know more about what services the school offers for testing accommodation she should contact student services.

about the confidentiality issue, i would think hard before making a fuss about it. It could have been as simple as she saw you going into the testing center, asked some hypothetical questions about the services they offered and came to the conclusion that that is what you are using it for. I have found that Admin personelle can and will be your best resource. Just keep that in mind considering you were not present when this conversation happened and you do not know what was really said.

Thanks, I don't want to rock the boat but at the same time I'm just upset and didn't want to tell anyone because I already feel like an outcast because of having to take the test seperately but I have to because I can't focus and my panic goes through the roof.

I think the fact that the student came to you directly indicates that she may need help with the same thing. If all she wanted to do was gossip, she would have told all of your classmates not email you. I might tell her exactly what you said here. You did not want the class to know. You will appreciate her discretion in this matter. If she wants to know more about what services the school offers for testing accommodation she should contact student services.

about the confidentiality issue, i would think hard before making a fuss about it. It could have been as simple as she saw you going into the testing center, asked some hypothetical questions about the services they offered and came to the conclusion that that is what you are using it for. I have found that Admin personelle can and will be your best resource. Just keep that in mind considering you were not present when this conversation happened and you do not know what was really said.

I just saw your post and I was thinking the same thing because when she comes in the room to test I'm already in there and I think this may have sparked her curiousity. Thanks

I just wanted to add one more thing. There is a student in my class that uses the testing center for exams. I can honestly say that after a year and a half in class with her not a single student has mentioned it. The only reason I know is because she announced it one day. I know that this is significant for you, but no one in your class is going to waste more than a minute on it.

Good luck with whatever you decide to do:)