<p>Okay, so, I'm currently in my third year of college, my second in pursuit of an architecture major. However, while my first year in the architecture program I did well, my second year has been a complete and utter disaster. </p>
<p>I have a health condition called Crohn's Disease, which has put me out of action for all of last semester and most of the current semester. It got so bad, with hospital visits, endless complications and even a major surgery, that I had to withdraw from classes to drop down to part time last fall, despite paying full-time tuition. </p>
<p>Anyways, this semester, I'm still having health issues and it's gotten to the point where I'm SO overwhelmed that I'm months behind, I don't know what to do, don't even know where to start... I've even still got make up work from LAST SEMESTER to do. I feel like I'm at a total disadvantage because I've missed so much in prerequisite classes that I just plain don't understand anything we discuss in class. I haven't learned any of the basic stuff, yet I'm trying to apply it all along with advanced stuff we're currently learning all while dealing with a debilitating illness. </p>
<p>I really just want to start over, you know? Then maybe I wouldn't be struggling to stay afloat GPA wise, or had the chance to make friends in my major, or been able to participate in the architecture clubs on campus, or succeed as an architect like I know I can. </p>
<p>Before these health problems I was doing great in school... I transferred to my current school with a 4.0 GPA in my first year of college and then got a 3.2ish the first half of my second year. But as soon as the health problems hit, my GPA started to die. I got a D and a handful of Cs as well as some withdrawals. </p>
<p>I guess that the gist of this article is this: I now realize that it's near impossible for me to keep up with my schoolwork while learning to deal with a debilitating chronic illness that doesn't seem to go away. I can't keep up while preserving my mental status and good health. I feel like I'm at a huge disadvantage and that I'm not learning enough to succeed because I'm preoccupied with health concerns. Has anyone dealt with something similar to this? And is there any way that I can just start this year over and potentially get my tuition money back? Any help would be great. thanks.</p>
<p>Sorry to hear it’s such a struggle now. Architecture is challenging enough without health problems. Given your prior success and your illness, i think you should contact the dean’s office about getting a late drop for your current classes and extension if possible for last term. If you have financial aid, make sure to talk to that office before dropping any. </p>
<p>It’s not unheard of to be granted ‘retroactive withdrawal’ or get tuition refunded, but you need to talk to admins ASAP and probably bring your medical record. It sounds though like you may need to reconsider college for the time being. I think that if it’s so overwhelming you should also ask someone who knows you for help with all this.</p>
<p>I have Crohn’s as well, and it flared up my first semester. So bad, in fact, that I had to have surgery and medically withdraw from the semester. I know how terribly debilitating Crohn’s can be, it actually cost me my chance to go to the Naval Academy.</p>
<p>Have you gotten accommodation from your school? That goes a long way in getting tuition refunded and it helps with maintaining classes. It isn’t always enough, but any help is good help.</p>
<p>Next question, how is your GI doctor/are you near him or her? A great doctor can make a huge difference and having them close is a definite positive. Also, if you don’t mind me asking, what, if any, meds are you on right now? It sounds like you need something else.</p>
<p>Feel free to message me at any time, I know how hard it can be to deal with Crohn’s.</p>
<p>Theyve been very understanding so far, but I’m worrying that they’ve just about had it with my health. In the past I was able to do a couple of retroactive withdrawals so that I could get my courseload to a place where I was able to keep up and deal with my health. But this semester I thought I’d be a lot better because I had a surgery over break that was supposed to really help. It was a small bowel resection and it took all of my Christmas break away, now I feel like that surgery did nothing for me. </p>
<p>In response to theTMart: My gastroenterologist works a short distance from my apartment and I’ve been in constant contact with him and I also have my disease documented through the University’s Disabled Student Services and they gave me a couple of accommodations, like extra time on schoolwork if I need it and having my absences excused if I miss class… so I think my professors should know that I might have to skip class, but it’s come to the point where Im so far behind that I dont know what to do to start catching up. Its really overwhelming. Also, I’m on prednisone off and on, remicade treatments once every two months, and a whole bunch of symptom killing drugs like anti-nausea and something to help with cramping…</p>