Hi everyone,

I just started a new grad program. I should clarify that I usually don't have a problem with the academics as long as I pace myself and am aware of sleep patterns (finished a PhD earlier this year, and am now doing another, more clinical degree) so that part should be OK. We have other requirements that involve more "community service" type experiences which I actually really enjoy. However, one of the events coming up is a fundraiser that involves moving for 10 hours straight without sitting, and it's during the night time. I know we are supposed to participate, but I'm not clear yet on what capacity we will be helping out in.

Either way, I don't think I can physically handle standing up for that long (I have a lot of issues with fatigue, especially with all the meds I take), and I'm also not sure if I should mess with my sleep schedule like that. (The best I've been able to do is optimize it so that I go through cycles of a few weeks sleeping 8+ hours a night and a few weeks sleeping 3-4 hours a night. I try to limit caffeine but need 1-2 coffees a day to make sure I stay awake driving to school, which is an hour away, and my classes are clustered together a few days a week.)

I am open about my bipolar disorder (the program is very small, with 12 students total; the co-director already knows as do 3/5 of my classmates, and I'm happy to let the others know as needed). They've been very supportive so far. I'm in a very small counseling-related field so empathy is really considered important and so people have reacted well. I am stable with meds and weekly therapy.

I would really like your opinion as to how I should handle this. The field I am in is competitive in terms of getting into schools and I don't want to seem like I can't take part in things (as a side note, I'm one of the stronger students so far), but I also need to make sure I don't crash and burn. One option I thought of is having my psychiatrist write a letter to take to Disability Services so I can things formalized, but I'm not sure what accommodations to ask for. If anyone here has been through such a process and would be willing to share your experiences, I would really appreciate it.