Well I’m doing it

I’m doing it. I posted in another forum but I had to share here too....,.

I start my second try at college in January! I had a very hard time after high school going straight to college...

I am enrolled in the community college (thousands of dollars cheaper!!) for three classes: computer literacy, human services 1 and human anatomy and physiology with lab( worried about this one lol)

I’m hoping I’ll get a PELL grant and not need much if any student loans.

Here’s the best part...ALL of my previous credits transferred and I’m only six classes away from
My associates of arts degree!

Halliebeth that is great! You should be quite proud of yourself

Mazel tov! Your community college should have a disabilities office. If you get into a rough patch, need extra time on an exam, or need a due date changed, they are the ones to set that up. Get to know them before you need them. My daughter is deaf and blind and is the disability office liaison for a large university. It's part of her job to counsel students on their adaptation needs. Every school has a disabilities office. take advantage of them.

That's awesome! I hope it goes well. I'm returning to college as well soon

You will do great! Get accommodations set up now , if you don’t need it that’s fine but at least get them set up anyway.

Halli, anatomy an physiology are really hard!!!!!!!I don't think that should be taken with other classes. It needs to be taken by itself, like a summer course. I am sorry to discourage you. I think it is great that you have enrolled again.
I don't want to see you get stressed.
(((((HUGS)))))
bizi

My chemistry professor in college was Dr. Fuchs. He came into class on Day One and the first thing he said was "Eh, the name is 'Fee-ukes' not 'Fux'. Get it right". Everyone fell off their chairs laughing. All throughout the year, the guy was hysterical, one of the best teachers I had.

What do I tell the disabilities office? That I have schizoaffective and anxiety disorders? Will I need letter from my pdoc?

Yes you need a letter from your Pdoc.

He will know what it needs to say that will allow you to get accommodations.

Ok thanks. Man I wish I thought of this last time
I saw him

It depends. Pay them a visit. Tell them you have a significant mental illness but you are stable. You'd like to know what they might need to allow adaptations should you start having symptoms. They may need an MD's letter. They may take your word for it. Different schools do different things. The university my daughter works at only requires back-up documentation when the adaptation is significant (like a long absence for a hospitalization) or requires expensive adaptive equipment like a braille note or screen reading technology.

Congratulations, HALLIEBETH!!!

I believe in you!!! Regarding the disabilities office, @sheltiemom2007 hit the nail on the head. Also, it's always better to be proactive and visit them BEFORE you start having symptoms.

You may find school to be a stabilizing factor. I know I did. I found college (and my post-graduation jobs) to be much less stressful than entry-level jobs. For example, I am currently holding my own in an academic research setting, but I wouldn't last a day as a waitress.

I wish you the best of luck! I got through a doctoral program despite multiple hospitalizations for psychosis, so it is doable. Believe in yourself - I can tell from what you write that you are highly intelligent!

Ty for all the encouragement

There is no reason to tell them your diagnosis especially since your psychiatrist and your therapist don't agree. Since your psychiatrist is writing the letter if one is needed, I wouldn't mention a diagnosis at all. Simply say "severe mental illness that's stable currently". That'll cover you unless you need an MD letter.

This is great news! I have been thinking of doing the same. However, I have been out of school for many decades. I would just feel intimidated, and stressed. But seeing you do this, I figure it still may be worth a shot. Good luck.

Well I have t been in school
For ten yeare!

If you tell the school one thing and your psychiatrist's letter says something else that's a problem.

This is why daughter got a letter from her Pdoc and THEN went to the disability office to get accommodations in place.

Congratulations! Like what everyone else said, the disabilities office is a great resource! I only found it in my last year of undergrad and it helped out tons! Some disability offices have a computerized document that you fill out asking what accommodations you need such as extra testing taking time, longer deadlines and you can even ask for a tutor which maybe very helpful for A&P. I never took A&P but I took Bio with lab and I found it was pretty doable for me however I was on a Saturday morning for four hours!!! (I still cringe thinking of that class).

Mines on a Friday for four hours eeeeek!!!!! But it’s my only class that day

I completely agree with this. Anatomy and Physiology are a beast all their own. Consider this course to be equal to 3 courses.


I went through community college, and It was an awesome experience.