I cycled a lot in college and into my grad work. And most of it was not too severe. And fortunately my worst mania brought out this academic ferocity in me because I wanted to finish faster to get this job I thought I really wanted (and later wished I hadn't). So I took a ton of credits over the summer and was kinda nuts. And in general I was fortunate that my hypo brilliance periods sort of made up for my lazy low periods and it all sort of evened itself out. I think I probably would have done better if not for the Bipolar or maybe it would have just turned out the same in the end. I pulled off the BS and the Masters though. As it is it doesn't really matter because I am a stay at home mom (which was my dream anyway ) and I probably will never go to anymore school BECAUSE of the BIpolar. The Bipolar now is too much for anymore school. I do not see it going well at all. I have also pretty much lost that desire. I now have no greater goal than my health and my presence with my family. There is no greater gift than just not being in pain in my life now. I am not sure this is a bad thing. It is what it is.