[krissydear]

How do you manage studying and the workload? I work during the day and I go to Western Governor's which is an online school.

I started out great but now I'm drowning. Any tips?

Be careful. Simultaneous commitments to work and school are a lot to ask of someone suffering from a disabling mental illness that can be triggered or amplified by stress. Examine your expectations in light of your illness.

[franz kafka]

See if you can get disability accomodations. That's been really crucial for me. I get extra time for exams and papers; I also am allowed to miss class with doctor's note.

[gina_re]

I worked full time and went to school. My success was due to time management and self discipline to stick to a schedule.

[krissydear]

It's definitely hard to do both. Right now I am considering going on disability from work because I'm in a down cycle. Sometimes, I feel like I can hardly function.

But I have to work to pay bills. I wish I could focus on one.

[Gs550]

I studied as much as I could during down time that I'd otherwise be wasting on my phone. Reading on the subway, or jotting down notes for a paper while waiting at the doctor's office.

I also used a trick that may or may not be helpful to you: say you've got a long to do list. Homework and cleaning and bills and such. I'd set a timer for anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on what I was doing, and focus exclusively on that one task until time was up. Then, I'd set another timer and work on the next one. And so on, until I got everything on my to do list done. I have trouble focusing but it made it easier to do it knowing I had a limited amount of time. And for homework - reading or writing a paper - only working for an hour at a time forced me to take breaks, which made me more productive when I sat down again.

[Bigmike727]

I fully understand where you are coming from. For me I tried work and uni at the same time, worked great, till I ended up in the hospital, but there were other factors in play there. Tried it again, but had to quit my job for my studies. But I will say this though, if you take on things one thing at a time it may be a bit easier. Overwhelming yourself with all kinds of stresses will only cause a major collapse like what happened in my case. After that hospital visit, I learned how to manage time a bit better and keep my head at the same time. Believe me it is a difficult road, but some of us have no choice, we don't have parents that can afford to send us to uni/college, scholarships don't cover everything either. But I will say this it is possible, I did it, I just got involved with some wrong company is what caused me to collapse really, but the key is time managment really.

PS. Please do not resort to caffeine pills like I did they sent me off the wall, and tasted like crap aswell lol

[st0psign]

I take a severely lightened class load to help with managing the stress that school causes me.

[RomanJames2014]

I am in the same boat. I took very hard classes this fall and it's just going to get tougher. I like to try and make goals as if it's like mania telling me I need to get these goals done. I make a chart and I organize and try to stay organized with my time more than anything.
I had a very important book due and the teacher returned it with an "F. Please see me."

I got freaked out but I had to explain to her and like word vomit injust exploded and broke down crying and explained that I was living with bipolar. I had explained that I accept the grade she was giving me and that the book was a reflection of me not keeping my life together and not taking control of my mental illness.

I know they're is ambit of anymositynwith online programs but it never hurts to keep your instructors or your loved ones aware. Good luck. I'm sure fall will be great.