melissa

What kind of housing do they have where you are going? Do they have rooms that have private bathrooms. At my university, we have rooms where we share a bathroom with only one other person. This allows me the opportunity to shower with my side of the door open (and helps with getting rid of the room being too steamy). I would also request a room on the first floor for sure. I know it is very difficult to do stairs when symptoms are bad, and much of campus housing does not have elevators. My first year of school I lived on the second floor and often times I was unable to get to my room, so I was sort of stuck. I think that the accommodations really depend on your level of symptoms. I would certainly make the university or the RA aware of any symptoms you may experience in case of an emergency, etc. I don't know if this is any help, but let me know if you have any questions.

I go to college full time and work part time. Most semesters I have not had many problems attending school full time and working part time. I do have disability accommodations at my university. My doctor just filled out the paperwork requested by the disabilities office. I get extended testing time and a letter for my professors about being allowed make-up work for absences and extended time for assignments if needed. The most difficult part for me with attending school is not knowing how I am going to feel when I wake up each morning. So, I have to plan way ahead of deadlines and try to do a little bit at a time. Most of the times, this helps but occasionally I still fall behind. If online classes are offered at the university you want to attend, I would definetely recommend them. Some semesters I have taken half of my classes online and half of them in person. This has saved me a lot of stress and worry about having to make it to class when I am not feeling well. I can just work at home in my pajamas a little at a time.

Hello everyone. My name is Melissa and I have been lurking around the forums for awhile but have been too shy to post. I appreciate all the work that the moderators do on this forum, because it is truly helpful to know I am not alone. I am in my senior year of college and have been dealing with the symptoms of POTS since my freshman year of university. I am just trying to get through my last year of school, but I have fainting without warning most of the time, so it puts me in a rather akward postition in some classes. It always seems to occur at the worst possible time (like in the middle of the street) and most attempts by doctors to control them have been unsuccessful thus far. There are periods of lessening of spells when they start a new med, but usually it fizzles out after a while. I am majoring in education hoping to teach middle school science. I am doing a practicum this semester and have not had any problems with symptoms in the practicum or in any of my education classes. However, I met with the dean of the college today and he is trying to get me to change my major when I am one semester from graduation. I have worked extremely hard to get where I am currently and this statement was a major blow to me. I have no trouble completing the classwork and have very good grades, but the college still feels that this may not be the right career choice. However, when I had this discussion with the college when I first started college, they felt that it was a good choice and that they would be willing to work with me to the end. I am registered with the disabilities office at school and have accommodations for medically necessary absences, etc. I am sorry this post is so long. I am just trying to vent my frustrations at possibly wasting three years of my life, not to mention lots of money. I am now at a loss of what to do because I really would just like to get a degree. They are trying to offer me the option of completing a bachelor's in individualized studies but it would take several more years and I have no idea what kind of job I can get with it. I know there are many others on the board who attend school, so I am interested to hear what you think, because I know you guys understand what this is like. Thanks for listening.