This study aims to improve our understanding of the effects of specific learning disabilities (SLD) in adulthood and improve work adjustment by comparing the time and risk preferences of 72 college students with SLD and 75 college students without SLD. Participants answered questionnaires about their time and risk preferences, made bids for two lottery tickets, and took the Cognitive Reflection Test (CRT). The results revealed that the subjective time discount rates of college students with SLD were significantly lower and more realistic, and their CRT scores were significantly higher. No significant difference in risk aversion was found between the two groups of participants. Finally, we discuss the effort exerted by students with SLD and their tendency to use System 2 processes as possible mechanisms for compensating for their cognitive deficits, and the implications of these results for work adjustment.