I feel like I struggled the same way my last semester of college (after I was diagnosed). It was hard and I had to drop out of some of the more difficult courses. I only needed a few to graduate. So I told myself, I would stay in college and see it through to the end. And that's what I did. Like you, I knew I needed to take strides to get better from my bipolar. My only two goals were: finish school, and get better. That's all. When you simplify your life like that (throw out extracurriculars, too many relationships (keep the most important ones, the rest can wait around for a while)), then it is a manageable goal to work your way through school.

Just remember the feeling that tells you "you can't do it" is the voice of the disease. YOU CAN DO IT!!! You don't need to take a year off to heal. You can do that while you are in school, so long as you focus only those two things.

God bless you. If you have any questions please let me know. I was diagnosed with bp1 2 years ago while in college, and now I am a straight-A student in medical school. It can be done. When I thought I couldn't do it, I simplified my priorities, curled my toes into the mud, and go down to it. It is hard, but once the depression or mania lifts, everything in life will be easier again.