Cherise left a commnent on the blog a few days ago about going to school when you have bipolar disorder. Many people have trouble with bipolar and school! I know I did. It took me eight years to get a degree- it doesn’t matter how we go to school or how long it takes to reach our goals- it just matters that we keep going. Here is Lisa’s excellent advice:
Hi Cherise,
Hang in there with school. I know it is tough. I went to university to become a teacher, and some years were definitely harder than others. I ended up having to drop some courses sometimes, and it took me a couple extra years, but looking back it was worth it.
I think if you can find a balance for yourself that is managable…even if it takes longer, don’t give up. See if there is help from a disability advisor…something I never looked into, but wished I had. I know at many universities here you can get extensions, extra help or have your course load spread over a longer time. I had to take one year off, which the university generally frowns on, but with a doctor’s note that I needed a medical leave it was no problem to drop all my courses and restart the following term. You might have to dig a bit to find what resources are available to you as you have a legitimate medical condition..not “just” a mental illness, and should be able to find help on campus…it just might not be listed in plain sight on their website.
Hope this helps…I wish I could go back in time and follow some of my own advise sometimes…make my university years a lot less stressful than they were.
Lisa
Cherise,
I agree with Lisa. Take your time. I had to take a couple of years off here and there due illness as well as anorexia, but there are not too many prouder moments in my life then walking across the stage to get my college diploma. My whole family was there and it is a moment I cherish. Do what you have to do for yourself at your own pace. There is no special prize for graduating college in four years than in ten years.
Good luck! I know you can do it.
Terri
Lisa is sooo right. My youngest daughter has been diagnosed with mild bipolar disorder/personality disorder.She is 26 now, been in uni. 5yrs.
She will be in university for another two years to get her Masters in Pharmacology, after she completes her bio-medical science degree this year.
Her father was bipolar disorder type II. He was a qualified doctor.
He was the classical case for bipolar disorder type II, formally diagnosed in 1984/85; 7 years after completing his degree.
Well done “Teach”