Hello, there! I’m very anxious understandably about starting college this Monday, even though it’s community college. I’m in three classes, and one is online. I have bipolar, PTSD, anxiety disorders and a few others, although I don’t have anything to give to the disability office.
I’ve been working 20 hours a week since this June and I’ll be continuing to work while in school. I don’t have a car, so I’ll be Ubering, I graduated from high school last summer and I’m hoping to at least maintain a 2.0 GPA.
Are there any other college students who also have mental illnesses? I’d really like to do well, especially since I don’t want to have to repay for the FASFA money & the money I’ve spent already.
I’m going to two classes a week and taking one online, I’ll aim to study at least three and a half hours a day, and I’ve been reading up on articles and tips though I feel like I’m gonna fail. I really want to do well, and I really hope I could make some friends, since I could really use some. I try to tell myself I’ll do well, though I’m really afraid.
Thank you so much for reading & your time & I am wishing you well !! <3
You’re not alone. College can be an emotional rollercoaster and you’ll need to make sure you’re being properly treated for these conditions. Make sure your health is stable. I think you’ll do fine. A good goal would be to try to go for a 3.0. This will give you the option of getting into a respectable university if you so desire. If you’re afraid to fail, that’s actually a good thing, in a way.
Plan each week study/complete assignment schedule, stick to it, keep up. Also try to change your mindset from feeling like you are going to fail, to I am going to try my best, I can do this.
There are many college students who enter college with mental health conditions, and many others who have conditions that are triggered by the stress and changes of college life. You’re going in aware and in control - it’s important you stay that way. Continue to check in with your medical provider, as it’s possible all the changes might mean some change in your treatment regimen.
Also continue to take care of yourself - eat well, get sleep, exercise, get fresh air, make sure you have some time, no matter how small, to do something you enjoy.
Don’t get caught up in the all-night cramming mode. As said above, have a plan and that plan includes sleep. No one can function optimally without enough sleep!
One of the biggest mistakes students make is to wait too long to ask for help. If you feel you’re struggling or falling behind, meet with the professor, find a tutor, see if there are classmates you can study with. If your courseload is too heavy along with work, it’s better to drop one class than fail all of them.
Good luck to you - you’ve got this!