Chronic Invisible Illness
Tips from a student with a chronic invisible illness
Being a student is hard, learning to look after your finances, how to cook, getting to classes on time and meeting deadlines can be quite overwhelming for most people. But having a chronic invisible illness can make the transition that much harder. Exams, essays and attending lectures is that much harder when you’re fighting against the pain and fatigue. When your dreaded alarm goes off you fight the urge to just turn it off and get a few more hours sleep. You then attend your lectures still ‘hungover’ from last night’s cocktail of prescription drugs, constantly trying to stifle a yawn and focus through the thick cloud of fog, all while weighing up the pros and cons of having a double shot of expresso just to get you through the day. Having being a fulltime student for the better part of three years, I have learnt some essential life hacks.
Pace yourself
In your first few weeks of university you will have met hundreds of new students, been approached by groups, such as societies, asking you to join, as well as all the events put on in fresher’s week creating a buzz of socialising. Soon the fun starts to catch up to you and before you know it, you’re in the middle of a major flare up. It’s hard to say no, some people will complain but from my experience, most people will understand. University is not a race; it doesn’t matter that your classmate finished their essay before you. Take regular breaks always, even when you’re typing up notes and essays.
Be honest
Opening up about your illness can be really hard, but the sooner your flatmates and classmates are aware the more they can help you. Sometimes you may be too fatigued to wash your dishes or even cook or need someone to stand with you if you need to leave a lecture for a little while. There have been plenty of times that my flatmates helped me cook or even popped to the chip shop for me as a quick and easy meal.
Plan ahead
When you get your deadlines map out a plan of action, what needs to be done, when it needs to be done. Make sure you give yourself a realisticamount of time. You never know when you will get caught up in a major flare. If you’re having a good day prepare meals to freeze for those rough days, you will thank yourself later!
Know your limits
There’s nothing wrong with getting an early night in order to function like a ‘normal’ person. I know for a fact that I need a solid 9 hours sleep to function. Its not lazy. Its ok to cancel last minute plans, you’re more disappointed than they are and more often than not, your friends will understand.
Student Services
It’s difficult to ask for help at the best of times, but I wish I had approached student services much sooner. Through them, my lecturers were made aware of my condition and I had reasonable adjustments put in place, such as the use of a laptop and regular rest breaks during exams. They exist to help you, and they want to- so reach out.
Communication
If you are struggling to make it to class, notify your lectures. You will find that most lecturers are empathetic and compassionate, after all they were once a student themselves, and regular communication with them helps them to understand rather than pass you off as lazy or unreliable and they may even be happy to catch you up with extra tutorials.
Attend Lectures as Much as Possible
I have missed lectures due to my chronic illness, promising myself that I will catch up on the recommended reading and look over the lecture slides. I quickly found out that attending lectures can help you understand the concepts more than just reading them. You will quickly find yourself overwhelmed with playing catch up. So, force yourself to go, even if you only pick up a few things, it’s better than nothing.
Medication
Before coming to university I would strongly advise getting a couple of months’ worth of medication. It can take some time to set up at a new GP and get all your meds in order. And make sure you take to your medication on time. I even had to change the time of my medication, so I wasn’t groggy for my classes the next day.
Eat Healthy
Seems simple enough, but you will find that as the semester goes on and your deadlines are creeping up fast, it’s easy to just grab a bar of chocolate, order a pizza, or throw a ready meal in the microwave. Eating a healthy diet can help replenish your body and give you more energy. Trust me, your body will thank you!
Give yourself a break
Be kind to yourself, it’s easy to go in a downward spiral of self-loathing or feel frustrated when you’re in the midst of a major flare up. Take some time out and relax, practice mindfulness or simply do something you enjoy like reading a book, listening to music or playing computer games.