[JustJace2u]

Well, I start back to school in about 3 weeks and I'm already dreading it. I usually take a class during the summer, but with everything that's been happening with my mental status I decided it was best to take a break. Now that it's almost time for fall semester to start I'm beginning to freak out a little. Part of me knows that I should inquire about getting special accommodations for things like test taking, but I'm embarrassed at the same time. All my life I went through school just coasting by, never seeking accommodations for anything (even though I have a legit disability that I was born with). I guess my pride and ego got in the way, hence my grades suffered drastically in high school and I barely graduated. Up until about a year and a half ago I was doing pretty well and then all of a sudden the s*** hit the fan as it were and my grades drastically dropped and I even failed a few classes. I just don't know what to do.

I did my degree ages ago but i had to seek accomodations for my last semester. I got a medical note and deferred the final exam for my core course for a few months. It was sad not to graduate with my class. All my friends were partying and i had the spectre of the exam hanging over my head. But i did graduate and by then i had met my future husband and he attended my convocation, so that was nice.

[Unrigged64072835]

I don't see an issue with asking for accommodations. My daughter is going to this next term because she has memory issues (and possibly test anxiety) and she failed a class because of it. It may seem embarrassing but it's still worth it if you want to keep pursuing our goals.

I would ask. I didn't and I regret it. It's not just about the test-taking accommodations etc., its sort of a mental cushion in case things do go south. I didn't do this for myself so when I was having a really hard time I felt like I just had to white knuckle it. No one knew I was struggling with BP, so I had no support. Instead my professors assumed I was unfocused or lazy or unmotivated etc., which caused even more stress. Set yourself up for success!! You might not even need any special accommodations, but they will be there for you just in case. It's absolutely nothing to be ashamed of

[hopeless2015]

I agree ask for it, it gives you a safety net. I'm totally rooting for you!!!

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[Kuras]

I let my college know about my condition almost from the start. It's just additional insurance for success. No need to feel embarrassed about it or anything.

[jpb4815]

Totally ask, if you broke your arm and could not write wouldn't you ask for accommodations? This is not different. I did not ask for any help my first two semesters back in school and I just barely made it. I then got the support that I needed and just about got a 4.0 from then on. Just knowing that you have a support system is priceless.

[JustJace2u]

I will definitely talk to my pdoc when I see him next. Thankfully my next appointment is before the semester begins. I know I have memory issues and test anxiety, so that's what I'm most concerned with.

[annielovesbacon]

I totally feel you, I'm heading back to college next week with BP2. I usually wait to tell my professors about BP until I'm more comfortable with them, usually I say things like "I have bipolar disorder and sometimes it will cause me to miss class or not fully participate or do poorly on tests. I just want to let you know, because it's important to me that you don't think I am lazy or that I don't care about your class. Sometimes I just have to prioritize my health over school, and sometimes my disorder causes me to mess up."
Also, I have horrible test anxiety, so I tell all my profs this and they have always been understanding, if I freak out in the middle of the test they will always let me leave the room and take a breather. I had one professor who even let me turn in my test when I was having an anxiety attack and come back and finish it the next day.
I also see a therapist through my school's counseling center. The cost is absorbed mostly by my tuition so each session is only $10. Seeing a therapist has helped me sooo much so if you are able to and aren't already seeing one, I recommend it
Good luck! I know you can do it!

[Miswimmy1]

Originally Posted by JustJace2u

Well, I start back to school in about 3 weeks and I'm already dreading it. I usually take a class during the summer, but with everything that's been happening with my mental status I decided it was best to take a break. Now that it's almost time for fall semester to start I'm beginning to freak out a little. Part of me knows that I should inquire about getting special accommodations for things like test taking, but I'm embarrassed at the same time. All my life I went through school just coasting by, never seeking accommodations for anything (even though I have a legit disability that I was born with). I guess my pride and ego got in the way, hence my grades suffered drastically in high school and I barely graduated. Up until about a year and a half ago I was doing pretty well and then all of a sudden the s*** hit the fan as it were and my grades drastically dropped and I even failed a few classes. I just don't know what to do.

I feel ya with not wanting to go back to school. I'm starting to anticipate it a little bit as well.

I definitely urge you to seek out accommodations. Don't be embarrassed. Mental health and/or learning disabilities is a legit reason. If you had a physical disability, and needed accommodations to help you get to and from class, you wouldn't have any hesitation to get the modifications that you need. Think of your mental health in the same way.

I am a college student who recently received a bipolar II diagnosis. Prior to that, I was receiving accommodations already for ADHD. I wasn't sure if I was going to want or need accommodations but thought it would be best to get established with the disabilities center in the case that I needed them. You can always opt not to use them - in most colleges, you disclose to your professors what you want them to know. If you don't say anything, the center isn't going to tell them so no will ever know. But having accommodations approved and in place if you need them might give you a little bit of room to breathe.

Also - if you are in a decent sized school, no one is going to even recognize that you have accommodations. Most of my classes last year had hundreds of people in those lectures. When I would take my exams separately, no one would even notice I wasn't present, except friends that I had in the class. And I felt comfortable telling those friends about where I was. On the whole, professors were more than willing to arrange the necessary accommodations. I was granted extra time on exams and tests and a private testing space. As for in class accommodations, I was allowed to use/was provided with note-taking aids such as a Smart Pen that allowed me to record lectures and sync the audio to my handwritten notes, a transcript of which could be uploaded as a typed copy that could then be annotated/printed/rearranged/etc. I was also allowed priority class registration (meaning that I had first dibs of signing up for my classes). And in one instance last year, was able to get a waiver that allowed me to take a class on a pass/no pass basis. Little things like this were helpful in cases that I was having an "off" day, or especially when I was changing my medication regimen and was feeling very out of sorts.

I really urge you to seek out whatever help you need. I think you will be happy that you did - even if you don't end up needing/using whatever you are given permission for.

[RomanJames2014]

School is the worst for me. My bipolar really does affect it.

There's days where I'm too tired or depressed to get out of bed and there are days where I'm too manic to stay in school and pay attention.

I also get uber creative and talk a lot in depth about everything I know during class discussions and I get a little cranky and irritable with people.

The stress of school though definitely impacts my bipolar.

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[Wild Coyote]

Great thread!

Accommodations are there for the asking!

Why not?


WC

[JustJace2u]

Originally Posted by annielovesbacon

I totally feel you, I'm heading back to college next week with BP2. I usually wait to tell my professors about BP until I'm more comfortable with them, usually I say things like "I have bipolar disorder and sometimes it will cause me to miss class or not fully participate or do poorly on tests. I just want to let you know, because it's important to me that you don't think I am lazy or that I don't care about your class. Sometimes I just have to prioritize my health over school, and sometimes my disorder causes me to mess up."
Also, I have horrible test anxiety, so I tell all my profs this and they have always been understanding, if I freak out in the middle of the test they will always let me leave the room and take a breather. I had one professor who even let me turn in my test when I was having an anxiety attack and come back and finish it the next day.
I also see a therapist through my school's counseling center. The cost is absorbed mostly by my tuition so each session is only $10. Seeing a therapist has helped me sooo much so if you are able to and aren't already seeing one, I recommend it
Good luck! I know you can do it!

Thanks for sharing your experience. The interesting thing with me is that my diagnosis became a reality just shortly after the last semester had ended. I was taking Abnormal Psych and it really got me thinking about things and that's when I decided it was time again to seek help.

[JustJace2u]

Originally Posted by Miswimmy1

I feel ya with not wanting to go back to school. I'm starting to anticipate it a little bit as well.

I definitely urge you to seek out accommodations. Don't be embarrassed. Mental health and/or learning disabilities is a legit reason. If you had a physical disability, and needed accommodations to help you get to and from class, you wouldn't have any hesitation to get the modifications that you need. Think of your mental health in the same way.

I am a college student who recently received a bipolar II diagnosis. Prior to that, I was receiving accommodations already for ADHD. I wasn't sure if I was going to want or need accommodations but thought it would be best to get established with the disabilities center in the case that I needed them. You can always opt not to use them - in most colleges, you disclose to your professors what you want them to know. If you don't say anything, the center isn't going to tell them so no will ever know. But having accommodations approved and in place if you need them might give you a little bit of room to breathe.

Also - if you are in a decent sized school, no one is going to even recognize that you have accommodations. Most of my classes last year had hundreds of people in those lectures. When I would take my exams separately, no one would even notice I wasn't present, except friends that I had in the class. And I felt comfortable telling those friends about where I was. On the whole, professors were more than willing to arrange the necessary accommodations. I was granted extra time on exams and tests and a private testing space. As for in class accommodations, I was allowed to use/was provided with note-taking aids such as a Smart Pen that allowed me to record lectures and sync the audio to my handwritten notes, a transcript of which could be uploaded as a typed copy that could then be annotated/printed/rearranged/etc. I was also allowed priority class registration (meaning that I had first dibs of signing up for my classes). And in one instance last year, was able to get a waiver that allowed me to take a class on a pass/no pass basis. Little things like this were helpful in cases that I was having an "off" day, or especially when I was changing my medication regimen and was feeling very out of sorts.

I really urge you to seek out whatever help you need. I think you will be happy that you did - even if you don't end up needing/using whatever you are given permission for.

The funny thing is I actually do have a disability that I was born with, although no one would really know unless I told them. I was born with a birth defect known as Spina Bifida. Growing up I was always too ashamed so I never sought special accommodations while going through school. If I wasn't planning to get into a Masters program eventually I wouldn't care as much about the grades. The way I look at it is...you can only learn so much from a textbook.