<p>Hi,<br>
I just recently found out early this year that I have bipolar 2. We are still working on my meds and it is affecting my grades. Talked to family about taking a break from school to recover. If I transfer to a different school, will I be allowed to start fresh and repeat grade? How would it look on my transcript. Appreciate any help. Thank you.</p>
<p>Good for you for thinking of alternatives! The most important thing is to take the time you need to heal and recover and learn the coping skills you will need to succeed academically in the future. Plowing ahead if you’re struggling is only going to show on your grades, whereas if you take time to heal, you will hopefully be able to resume school with full capacity.</p>
<p>However, have you considered a partial break to allow you to continue in the same grade (if you even want to)? My D was dx major depression in the middle of her junior year. She needed time to focus on healing but didn’t want to repeat a year. She worked with her guidance counselor to create a do-able schedule: She kept her 3 favorite classes (all in the morning) and dropped everything else. In order to make sure she met the graduation requirements, she took two online (Virtual High School) classes from home. This meant she was only actually IN SCHOOL for about 2 hours a day, and was able to use the time for therapist meetings and healing.</p>
<p>Either way, you will need to explain your odd transcript, as my D did. Schools show things differently, but on my D’s transcript it does show the grades she received prior to dropping the classes, as well as a W for withdrawn. Make sure that your guidance counselor understands your situation and can address it in his/her statement. You can also use the “Additional Information” section of the Common App to explain.</p>
<p>Good luck and best wishes for your recovery :)</p>