intelligent....bipolar, troubles graduating college :( - Bipolar Disorder Message Board

becksA · 10-30-2005, 08:40 AM

I've known my whole life I'm a very intelligent person, but academically I have always underachieved. REcently I was diagnosed with BP II, but now we think it may be Cyclothemia. I also have ADHD. I can't seem to finish school! I am constantly dropping classes because I hate the professor, or because my grades are too low, I struggle terribly through long readings....the list goes on.
Has anybody struggled through college like this, but found a way to graduate? What worked best for you?
I know once I graduate I'll do great, working in afield that greatly interests me, but right now it feels like it will never happen.

Thanks

Ruth6:11 · 10-30-2005, 09:09 AM

I am also an intelligent person whose Bipolar Disorder made it impossible for me to attend college and get a degree in the same way as everyone else.
Are you on any medication? I was not diagnosed until I was 30 - so i was trying to do things that my chemical imbalance made impossible for me.

It's hard for me to factor in the ADHD because that can have a tremendous effect on your learning curve but I don't have any clue what ADHD & Bipolar will do to the whole situation.

It may be that you would be able to work and take a few classes a semester rather than do the traditional 4-6 yr college schedule. Are you at a spot in life where you could have cheap housing (home still?) and just take longer to graduate?

In my book it is just pushing it too far to try to do things in a normal fashion with a disorder like Bipolar. I'll be interested in how others did.
By the way I'm Type I Bipolar so I was at the severe end of the Bipolar landscape...

LLC15 · 10-30-2005, 09:14 AM

I am not bp, but I did all of what you described above. What I did not do was drop courses despite a lower grade or a prof I hated, I showed up to class when I could take it and struggled through it. It is hard, but you need to keep your mind focused on the ultimate goal, your graduating. I too did not have any attention to sit and read, so I took notes after I read a section. It helped me to retain what I read b/c I am not the type to sit for a long time without doing something active. I then was forced to slow down and think about how to apply what I read. It is time consuming, but you need to just read what is assigned to you and try not to get overwhelmed. Take it one class at a time. As far as the prof's, I had some that needed shot for imposing their beliefs and views on me in their negative ways, but you must put that aside for your own benefit. Do not let THEM ruin your chance of graduating, then they have got you and you do not want that. Just remember you want to graduate, then do what you need to do to get there. Good luck.

LLC15 · 10-30-2005, 09:21 AM

By the way, what Ruth6:11 said about taking it slow is also good. Do not stress yourself out about it or rush yourself. It is not worth it, you do what you need to do to get through. Do not concern yourself with what people tell you or what people around you are doing, you know your timing and stress tolerance. Graduating is a wonderful acheivement, so do it in your own pace and be proud of what you have already accomplished

!! It is not easy, but you are already doing it so you know you can finish it, just go at your own pace.

becksA · 10-30-2005, 09:41 AM

Thanks guys, those are good points....Actually that is what I've been doing....one or 2 classes a semester, but at 23, seeing all my peers already with desk jobs, and my younger sister about to graduate very quickly, it's very frustrating. I feel like I should be done with all that right now, finally fulfilling my potential, rather than being an underpaid shoe salesman paying my cellphone and school bills!

To answer your other question, yeah I am fortunate to have supportive parents, whom I live with (no rent to pay), The biggest enemy for now is time I guess. That's what has me the mnost frustrated,.