PMDD vs. University

The 1 in 20 invisible illness, and how to cope during your studies.

Congratulations..

A fifteen letter word I never thought would be exciting in an email. Yet, there it was, staring back at me as I read onward. So was my PMDD..

I started to feel a bit nervous inside, but why? Isn’t this what I’ve been waiting for?

I realized my fear of failure had heightened. Yet, much to my surprise the determination to be the best university student I could be, also heightened. There’s no turning back now. The world of Social Work is in my grasp (Well, in five years time give or take). I finally get to fulfill my dreams and do something meaningful, important and bold. This September will mark my very first year at the University, and I couldn’t be more ready despite the nerves. Like anything, nerves are only temporary.. But knowledge lasts forever.

Here’s the thing.. When you have PMDD, your symptoms can appear when you’re feeling your best. It’s easy for me to feel unstable or make rash decisions during a PMDD cycle, and one thing I don’t want during university is to have a complete breakdown and make rash choices. No, I so badly want to prove my disorder wrong and overcome the storm. I’d be damned if I let my PMDD get the best of me.

We all have our ways of coping, and when you’re living with an invisible illness, life does throw you some serious lemons too sour to make lemonade. This will happen when you least expect especially at university or post secondary. But, let me give you my five cents on that. I’ve found if you build yourself a guide you’ll find yourself less overwhelmed. Let’s save that overwhelment for those good grades you’re going to achieve!

If you find yourself a bit stuck on create some helpful tips, i’ve made a helpful guide that so far has proven wonders to me and my friends. My only hope is help you too, so read on gilded warrior!

What advice can I give you to help during your studies?

First, remember to be easy on yourself and take study breaks. Take classes that actually interest you or lead you in the right direction. When you have any chance to revise, go for it. Try to create study habits that fit into your lifestyle.

Secondly, get to know your professors and their office hours. Use office hours to ask any questions, especially with assignments. Let them know of any obstacles ahead of time! You’ll be very surprised at how helpful your professors can be if you show them that you are serious in your studies.

Thirdly, but most important, attend ALL your classes and do the readings. Lot’s of professors give extra marks for participation!

Find someone in your classes that can mentor you!

Although I have only entered my first year of university, I must give a lot of credit to my partner. He makes going to university look like a piece of cake. Despite being in his mid-thirties and battling ADD, he’s able to maintain time with his daughter while studying for the law program. I watch in awe. He found out everything he could to make university an amazing experience. He showed me that it’s possible to achieve good grades, stay focused and embrace the bad days. After all, they are only temporary, right?

SJx

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