[NuckingFutz]

I am 2 weeks away from finishing my first semister of school. I started well, and then my mania kicked in about 2 weeks ago. This mania did not allow me to sleep. I mean I've been up for days at a time only to sleep a few hours and stay up more days at a time.

My grades were okay, but school takes off 10 points of any assignment as well as an attendance grade for any days missed.

My body and my mind really can't take another day of school. I have thought long and hard about it and it is already affecting my health in a major way, that and my grades have gone down.

So I decided to take a leave of absence and start the semester over when I am good and stable. I'm just really upset because I worked so hard this semester.

Has anyone else had a similar experience to share with me or have any info on re-entering school and what that is like?

I also need words of encouragement...I'm really bummed about this but I can't go on without ending up in the hospital with the next week.

[kaliope]

I havent had to drop out of school but i have had to use the disability program to be late with my assignments and not be docked credit because it was too much pressure for me in my manic state to complete all the work on time. i think you are making a good decision. I know it is disappointing after working so hard to get through the sememster but ultimately your health has to come first and you know you best. if you are going to end up in the hospital, it just isnt worth it. take care.

[Kate King]

I am sorry that you have to go through this. Living with a disability is not easy, but I think you are wise with taking care of yourself as a whole person above all else. That takes a lot of guts to do, so props for that. Also, some schools have a mentoring program/counseling/therapy programs. I have found them helpful because they are in a school setting so they understand how school dynamics play into a disability and vice versa. Keep taking care of yourself in big and small ways. I know that it seems overwhelming, but if you take small steps to care for yourself every day, you will pull through and get back to school or whatever else is on your to do list. If you are not healthy mentally/emotionally/physically, you will not be able to preform up to par, so, take care of yourself first, as it sounds like you are doing. Keep plugging away. I've been there, and it does get easier, although it seems to be overwhelming, you will get through. Keep up the good work!

[NuckingFutz]

Well, I got some good rest finally and I decided to at least finish the semester (1 Week). Aside from medical math, I'm not doing too badly. I have a chance to retake the worst test I ever took which really brought my grade down below a C.

You know, I re-read the beginning of one of my text books, it recommended that I study 2-3 hours for every hour I'm in class. I am in class 4 hours a day, so that's 2x4=8+4 hours class time. That's 12 hours of school stuff every day. It's also an excellerated program...learn about the human body in 6 weeks! No wonder I could not keep up.

When I get to the end of the semester, I'm told the vet tech instructor is really nice and works with you. I sure hope so. I really want to stick with this after all, but I am taking it one day at a time as I stabilize on my meds from the heat.

[Travelinglady]

I am glad you can hang in there. But as was said, if you ever do see a choice between needing to drop out for a bit and just crashing, then please look after yourself.

Congratulations, by the way, for doing so well in such a tough program!

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by NuckingFutz

You know, I re-read the beginning of one of my text books, it recommended that I study 2-3 hours for every hour I'm in class. I am in class 4 hours a day, so that's 2x4=8+4 hours class time. That's 12 hours of school stuff every day. It's also an excellerated program...learn about the human body in 6 weeks! No wonder I could not keep up.

That's a lot of time for schooling. I never took any summer classes because of how you have to cram a whole semester into just a few weeks.

Glad you are feeling better now. You should reward yourself.

[NuckingFutz]

Thanks for the support. I am going to do this. I know this sounds terribly wrong, but once I get some money for living expenses (it will be about $2,500), I'm going to go ahead and terminate my program, otherwise, I will not have any money until my disability is approved (yes, it will actually look better if I don't do too well even if I am trying my little heart out). Hopefully this will be the last all-night study session I have to do. At the end of the month I should get my money.