Why consider college or university?
People decide to go to college or university for many reasons.
For some people, a certificate, diploma or degree is a stepping stone to a job or career. In fact,
post-secondary education is a basic requirement for many careers and professions.
Other people consider an education an important part of their personal growth. Going to college or
university is a chance to learn new things, meet new people, and challenge yourself with new
experiences and ideas.
If you are living with a mental illness, going to school can also be an important part of your
recovery process. It can provide you with a focus and an opportunity to be out in the world, doing
something that isn't about your illness. However, it's important to remember that school is very
demanding. You will want to consider whether you are ready to take on this challenge. You can figure
that out by asking yourself some basic questions.
Is college or university right for you?
College or university is a whole different ballgame than high school. Expectations are higher.
Pressures are greater. You are considered an adult, and held responsible for your own success or
failure. Going to university or college may also coincide with your first time living on your own
and/or away from home.
If you've been out of school for a long time, you may be worried about whether you can keep up. Everyone
else may seem a lot younger than you - and a lot more confident!
You'll probably go through a major adjustment period. But you're not alone. It's the same for everyone -
with or without a psychiatric disability. And people do adjust, are successful - and enjoy it!
Mental illness doesn't equal lack of ability
You already know that you can have a mental illness and be smart. Ludwig van Beethoven, Vincent Van Gogh,
Winston Churchill, Virginia Woolf and Nobel Prize-winning mathematician John Nash are just some of the
people whose mental illness didn't limit their brilliance or their contributions to society.
Students with a psychiatric disability can, and do, excel in school. But your illness may require you to
make some adjustments. For example, you may need to consider going to school part-time to help you manage
the course workload and the stress of deadlines. Or you may need to look at options like distance
education to allow you to complete courses without compromising your mental health. Or you may need to
take advantage of certain academic accommodations
to help overcome some of the effects of your illness or the medication you require.
Remember: being successful in school is all about setting reasonable goals for yourself.
When is the best time?
Managing the pressures and demands of school can be challenging for all students. Before you decide to apply
for college or university, you need to be sure that now is a good time for you to take it on.
CHECKLIST: Ask yourself the following questions:
- Why do I want to go to school? What do I hope to accomplish?
- Is education a priority for me? Is there anything else that needs to be a higher priority for me right now?
- Is my illness sufficiently stabilized to allow me to concentrate on my education?
- What was my previous experience with higher education? Do I have any issues I need to resolve from
that experience?
- How much do I know about the demands of academic life, such as registering for classes, navigating
a campus, using a computer, taking notes, reading and writing assignments, or taking exams? Do I need
to find out more?
- What are my strengths? How can I use those to my advantage?
- What are my physical, intellectual, and emotional needs? Do I know how to meet those needs?
- Do I have the persistence and confidence to face frustrations, get the information I need from
school administrators, and advocate for myself if necessary? If not, can I get a support person to
help me?
- Can I stick to my educational goals for at least one semester?
- If my situation changes, will I be able to reassess and adjust it accordingly?
You may want to talk to someone in a college or university
Disability Services Office. They can give you a clear picture of what will be expected of
you in college or university and what supports will be available to you.
You may also want to talk to your doctor to get his/her perspective on whether you are ready to attend
school. (If you decide that you require academic accommodations
to attend school, your doctor will need to write you a letter to document that need.) Keep in mind that
you may need to explain to your doctor why you feel school is a good option for you. Be prepared to
advocate for yourself.
Finding the support you need
The good news is that colleges and universities are ready to help you. Most of them have special
offices or staff members assigned to help students with disabilities. And you can help yourself.
In fact, you need to - by being your own advocate and by figuring out what strategies work for you.
This resource should help you make the most of the supports available from your school and the
community, and give you ideas about what you can do to help yourself.
© 2004 Canadian Mental Health Association. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be copied or reproduced
in any form without written permission of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
|
