University Too Hard...

[num1habsfan]

As all of you know, who have been following my posts in this last year, its been the worst health-wise with my undiagnosed crohn's and my endless tests, trips to ER, and seeing specialists. I knew school would be hard, and you all know I tried as good as I could.

I finally checked my marks and i BARELY passed. In fact, I made it by only 1% . And I didnt pass math, not even close, which has always been my strongest subject (example: in highschool Math 30 A i had 94% final grade!).

But....you've all helped me realize that my health is always first priority. I still remember what my teacher in Yorkton said: School will always be there, you won't. Even the one in Regina here who was strict about missing class time, said "your health should always come first, don't worry about missing class".

So...I'm not going to let it get to me too upset. School may take me longer than I hoped, but I'll take the class over again. Sure it's expensive, but its only money. It's not whats important in life. Being alive is all that should matter. And I'm not going to give up on any of it, either.

So thank you guys for helping me through this and giving me more strength, I may need you all again this semester.

~ Lisa ~

[jerseyangel]

So...I'm not going to let it get to me too upset. School may take me longer than I hoped, but I'll take the class over again. Sure it's expensive, but its only money. It's not whats important in life. Being alive is all that should matter. And I'm not going to give up on any of it, either.

Lisa--

You have a great attitude about it all. You've been through so much this last year--I guess something had to give.

Considering everything you went through, I think you did well!

You're right to focus on your health first--we'll be here for you

Big warm hug

[~alex~]

I know a number of people in University who took 4 classes instead of 5 each semester so they had more time to focus on each class. It only ends up taking one more year. It's worth taking a look at that. The only caveat being that some professional schools and graduate programs require at least a couple of years with a full time course load. If you have a proven, documented illness you can take a medical leave of absence -- I had a friend who had to that for a year when she was diagnosed with Lymphoma.

[num1habsfan]

Lisa--

You have a great attitude about it all. You've been through so much this last year--I guess something had to give.

Considering everything you went through, I think you did well!

You're right to focus on your health first--we'll be here for you

Big warm hug

Thank you patti **hugs back**. I wish you could come give me a real hug!! I could sure use one of those....

And thanks for saying I have a good attitude. If enough people tell me that, I may be able to maintain it. I'm going to go to the disability office before class today and say I need more letters for my teachers. I wish I had actual PROOF by now so they can update it, and my letters wouldnt say "possible" Celiac, or "possible" IBS, blah blah.

Alex, I am only in 4 classes...because I knew with my health it would be a struggle to keep up with here.

Because of my back pains I didnt go to class this morning, but i'll force myself now. Wish me luck at my first class of the semester...

~ Lisa ~

[Phyllis28]

Lisa,

I don't know if this will help but below are some of the disability accomadations available at my son's Community College if the need is there:

1) Note taking service - Someone takes notes in class and types them up and gives them to you.

2) Have someone record the lecture

3) Arrange to have tests taken in the disabilty office.

4) Allow extra time for tests.

Ask for what you think you need. The worst answer the disablity office can give you is 'No"

His school also has some classes available on the internet. He has taken two of these and it has worked very well. He was able to listen to the lectures online when he wanted too (which was usually the middle of the night) instead of a specifed time.

You are doing a remarkable job considering how sick you have been.

[num1habsfan]

Lisa,

I don't know if this will help but below are some of the disability accomadations available at my son's Community College if the need is there:

1) Note taking service - Someone takes notes in class and types them up and gives them to you.

2) Have someone record the lecture

3) Arrange to have tests taken in the disabilty office.

4) Allow extra time for tests.

Ask for what you think you need. The worst answer the disablity office can give you is 'No"

His school also has some classes available on the internet. He has taken two of these and it has worked very well. He was able to listen to the lectures online when he wanted too (which was usually the middle of the night) instead of a specifed time.

You are doing a remarkable job considering how sick you have been.

I am registered with them. The thing is that the teacher each separately decides on their own what kind of accomodations I got. Some I got basically nothing, one let me take midterms/final to write at home. So it depends on how badly they think you need the extra time or help. I filled in the form this afternoon so now i gotta wait for them to say my letters are ready

~ Lisa ~

[Phyllis28]

I am registered with them. The thing is that the teacher each separately decides on their own what kind of accomodations I got. Some I got basically nothing, one let me take midterms/final to write at home. So it depends on how badly they think you need the extra time or help. I filled in the form this afternoon so now i gotta wait for them to say my letters are ready

~ Lisa ~

This is very different than the way my local communtiy college works. The disability office decides if there is a need and the teachers have to comply. I hope everything is granted.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Lisa, if you haven't already, please check out this thread: Open Original Shared Link

As soon as I saw it, I thought of you. This may have some answers for you (finally).

[num1habsfan]

Lisa, if you haven't already, please check out this thread: Open Original Shared Link

As soon as I saw it, I thought of you. This may have some answers for you (finally).

That's interesting. I will do my research online and look into it, for sure...

Btw, I talked to 2 of my instructors (briefly) and told them I'm still waiting for the letter and so one already said leaving to the washroom is fine, the other said I can likely have the extra time on exams and write them separately from everyone else and can reschedule if necessary. But it wont be really until I give them all the letters that i know just how much help I'll be getting this semester. I'll take anything I can get...

~ Lisa ~

[Helena]

I didn't look through all the replies on this thread, so some of this may be repetitive, but I'm pretty sure that the disability office is supposed to set some guidelines for the profs----it shouldn't be totally up to the individual profs. I'd suggest scheduling an appointment with the office to see if there is some way you can make the office work better for you.

A reduced course load is a good idea.

Also, in some universities i think you can retake courses which are pulling down your average . . .the grade on the transcript will be the new one. You might discuss options with an academic advisor as well. Good luck with all of this!

[num1habsfan]

I didn't look through all the replies on this thread, so some of this may be repetitive, but I'm pretty sure that the disability office is supposed to set some guidelines for the profs----it shouldn't be totally up to the individual profs. I'd suggest scheduling an appointment with the office to see if there is some way you can make the office work better for you.

A reduced course load is a good idea.

Also, in some universities i think you can retake courses which are pulling down your average . . .the grade on the transcript will be the new one. You might discuss options with an academic advisor as well. Good luck with all of this!

When i went in there to tell what was register the first time and tell my story i had to ask for some of the things i wanted. I was supposed to get a doctor to say all of them but he didn't...so it was the lady who used to work in the disability office (whos now retired) was the one that made the list up. There's i think 1 1/2 pages and the instructors have to write yes or no in the column and then give me a copy.

Yeah I will be taking Math again in the fall time. I guess in a way its not a bad thing really, because right now I would have only been taking 2 classes in the fall (to finish my arts/science useless stuff).

~ Lisa ~

[Helena]

Wow--that sounds like a bad system. The instructor of the course doesn't have the expertise to know what accomodations are needed . . . that should be the job of the disability office! It's good, though, that you can retake that math class.

[num1habsfan]

Wow--that sounds like a bad system. The instructor of the course doesn't have the expertise to know what accomodations are needed . . . that should be the job of the disability office! It's good, though, that you can retake that math class.

Yeah i know. And anyone I had left semester doesnt allow tape recorders or anything. The one person had someone taking notes but so far in whatever classes I'm in theres no luck with that!! (as in the note taking). They alls ay you have to get to know somebody in your class and get anything you missed from them.

Its not fair...if theres over 150 in a couple of them and most are from this area how can someone who doesnt know anyone here expect to catch up, especially when they have very valid medical reason??

~ Lisa ~

[Helena]

So the disability office will provide a note taker for the days that you have to miss, but the prof. won't let the notetaker in the room?? That really isn't fair. Seriously, in the universities I'm familiar with, the profs *have* to provide whatever accomodations the disability office deems necessary.

[Robyn G]

Hi Lisa,

If it's any consolation, many years ago, I ended up leaving university due to complications with bowel disorders. I have never actually returned but my life has taken me to new places that I would not be if I had stayed at university. I am glad I left when I did because i needed to put my heath first. I still have the credits and can pick them up anytime but I'm onto otherthings now and really enjoying them. I briefly read your story and if you have Chrones do you know about Garden of Life products called Primal Defense and also Dr Mark Hyman's diet process called Ultra Simple Diet? Both may be worth looking into. You probably know about them already.

Take it easy...education is useless if you are too sick to use it. Health first.

Robyn Grant

[num1habsfan]

Hi Lisa,

If it's any consolation, many years ago, I ended up leaving university due to complications with bowel disorders. I have never actually returned but my life has taken me to new places that I would not be if I had stayed at university. I am glad I left when I did because i needed to put my heath first. I still have the credits and can pick them up anytime but I'm onto otherthings now and really enjoying them. I briefly read your story and if you have Chrones do you know about Garden of Life products called Primal Defense and also Dr Mark Hyman's diet process called Ultra Simple Diet? Both may be worth looking into. You probably know about them already.

Take it easy...education is useless if you are too sick to use it. Health first.

Robyn Grant

Thanks, Robyn!! As much as I would like to quit, I'm almost done...only 3 semesters to go (including this one). For this career anyways haha. The computer one would be a lot more work, but less years!

Just an update, I finally had my 4th out of the 5 classes I have and this 4th teacher is AMAZING. She's officially my favourite ever. It's unfortunately that I only have her class once a week, seriously. I gave her a heads up about what the letter will say, and she said one of her good friends struggled for many years of losing weight, and either throwing up or having extreme diarrhea from eating anything, until they actually found it was Crohn's. She also said she herself had to go through the whole "it's all in your head" thing for a lot of years too and go tested endless amounts and by the time they found out what it was too late to turn around the long term affects. So she said to TRY give her a heads up if I'm gonna miss class for health related reasons. And if I have to miss an exam I can make up for it at another time (like maybe write it sooner).

Alsooo we have a do a 10 page report on a social issue in Canada (this is Sociology class) that started off as just a personal problems but has turned into a public issue. So I want to do it on the limitations of gluten-free foods and tie in long waiting lists as the reasons for why so many people suffer for many years with Celiac and without it being diagnosed they delevop more food intollerences. This isnt due until March 13th but I want to get started on it like NOW just in case I do get work sick before it is due....If you guys (from Canada) have any good sources, PLEASE try to help me out!!

~ Lisa ~