[joshlikesblue]

So I'm currently a senior in high school getting ready to go off to college soon! I've never really been worried about going off to college but lately it seems everyone is kinda referring to me as a ticking time bomb as a newly diagnosed individual about to head off on my own. I assure everyone I'll be fine but I have to admit I do have my doubts. Even now I forget to get my prescriptions refilled and am just a very scattered, indecisive person. I have no illusions about my self restraint, I am certain once I go off to college I will be binge drinking, doing drugs, and having terrible sleep patterns once again. This honestly just seems so inevitable to me. I'd like to tell myself I'll obtain from those things but I know that once I'm on a high with nobody to hold me back, I'm going to crash pretty hard. Any tips on going off to college?

Currently I'm supposed to attend University of Arkansas which is roughly 6 hours away which to me sounds great but my parents are really pushing for me to go to the local state university about 2 hours away. Would the latter be a better idea? I'm just not quite sure. Last night I was deadset on Arkansas, but this morning I was leaning towards the local university, come lunch I had decided to take a gap year in Australia, and now I'm thinking going to the coast for a few years sounds nice.

I'm just not really sure what is best for me at the moment. I also fear that I'll end up switching majors/schools 1000 times and it'll take me eons to actually graduate!!! Argh. Any advice?

[CozyMellie]

For me I went to college knowing what I wanted to get out of it. I didn't want to waste my parents money so I just plowed through. If you don't know what to do, I always suggest going to community college and take various classes. I just think it's stupid to spend a fortune to just f*** around being wasted and wasting time.

However, with that said if I had a second chance I wouldn't have jumped on the career track right away. I would've taken time to travel internationally. Going to countries different than your own makes you grow up quick. Also it changes your perspective on the world. I think it helped me get out of my self-centeredness. Who knows, you might just return with a greater idea of who you are and what you want to do.

[Justugh]

ok man the normal college thing is not the best idea for u ...........being bi polar the party will never stop until u hit that wall and crash hard

i know this is going to suck hearing but if u go away to the one u need a baby sitter a friend that u will listen too so if u are getting wild and crazy to much they can smack yah tell u calm down before something happends

once u turned 18 everything u do is on a record so if u do something crazy it fallows u around for a good 20 30 years (this can cause u not te get hired at that job u want)

so if u do not have a buddy that is going that way i would go to the closer one that way if u do go wild and crazy parents can bail out of jail or the jam u are in with less troubles

if u are not going to listen then listen to this
1 have a credit card with at least 8000 dollars on u never never use unless it is for bail of yourself
2 drugs and drinking make sure u know basic rules have a sober person drive and stay around .........my area they are called a anchor keep u from floating off into the world
3 keep a list of phone numbers in your wallet bails bond .....home...lawyer.....doctors
4 if u are going to mix the drugs have a list of what u take so if u have a bad reaction they can drop u off with it pined to chest saying u took what ever and that
5 rem to drink a lot of water/tea something to keep flushing the system
6 hang overs .....pedalite that children's apple juice is your best friend
7 every 2nd saturday or sunday u sleep in 10 /12 hours sanity reasons

good stuff
1 rem to set your caladener on your phone to refill pills 5 days before they are out amke it a repeating thing ............share this with the parents so they know can call make sure /feel good about u going
2 set the phone up to remind u to call your parents ...talk to them for 10 /20 mins every week at least and they can tell u if sound manic or hyper or stressing
3 when u get in school use this ( i have a sick friend from where i live ) this way if u need a break to recover/ get normal u can say he died and head home for a week do what u need to come back no one knows crap (no turning this into any pity sex or stuff it is just away to save face with white lie)
4 set limits for yourself ..........if u know u have something important to do put the bong down until it is done then u can smoke again ........u fail u are ****ed school work first party second (just cover your *** and know all the ways to run our of some place if u ever need too)

[Victoria'smom]

Well first. What is your Major? What is the price difference? What school has the most assistance?

Who has trio? School counceling center willing to work with bipolar? Who has a near by walk in assesment/crisis Center? Can the disability office put in that you can not change major but you can add miniors? So you just get a general BA/BS and whatever you want your major to be becomes a minor. I'm on my phone I can help you with that later, if you want.

Which meds are you on? Can you find ones with longer half lives? What keeps you not partying now? And sleeping properly?

[Crazy Hitch]

Oh I had a "wonderful" time in first and second year university. Did some wild and crazy things, before diagnosis or being on meds.

Took me failing one of my modules in my 2nd year that my priorities changed and I realised I really want my degree above all else so I knew my behavior had to change. And change it did, for the better, because I came out with flying colors at the end of it. I would NOT have achieved that if I continued with the same lifestyle as I had in my first and second year.

My worry is you have this preconceived idea and only if you act on it, it could become a self fulfilling prophecy. Do you really know what you want to achieve out of going to college and are you prepared to make the commitment right now because it can't just be all about the drugs alcohol and partying.

You've nentioned a few options and I think you have been given some good advice from the posters above.

You need to sit down and weigh up all the pros and cons for each scenario, and answer all your "what if" questions.

Only you can make that decision, but once it is made, go forth in confidence and conquer knowing that you have made the right decision for yourself at the time.

Be well.

[cupcakesncrossbones]

PLEASE go to a community college...that was my BIGGEST regret...you save money, you have family support...you don't hafta live on campus and thus are not as likely to be pulled into situations where you will be exposed to drugs/alcohol/etc. And if you're not 100% on a major...just take general ed classes...they transfer anywhere...find out what you like...what you're passionate about...no matter how long it takes...THEN consider transferring to a school in which you know you will thrive