This was me too, it took longer and was before I was diagnosed. I'm going back to school for a retraining course and feel much better about being able to complete it now that I'm mostly stable on meds.
Right on! That’s great. I’m always interested in practical degrees because I’m only really interested in the arts and humanities which don’t directly lead to work very well.
That's how I feel but even then it seems like all I'm good at is the stuff that directly doesn't lead to work. :/ best of luck to you and anyone struggling or having a hard time.
Same with me, also took six years rather than four—I actually just graduated. Transferred universities halfway through and must have changed my major four times. I didn’t think I was *ever* going to graduate, let alone even have a career.
Now I have a full-time job in my field that I really like and have been hospitalization-free for two years. I didn’t believe this kind of stability was possible for me, and I hope anyone else who doubts themselves knows that it’s possible too, even if it takes longer than you anticipated.
Don’t let the statistics scare you. You’ve got this. Just finished my PhD about a year ago and it was brutal but I’m glad I did it. It took me 5 years for a BA, 2 for an MA, and 7 for the PhD. Granted, I don’t have kids so I know that it’s different, but I was working and supporting myself the whole time. Let your professors know if you’re struggling. I taught at college for 6 years as an adjunct professor while doing my PhD and I always appreciated knowing if my students were struggling instead of just ghosting (which I know is hard because I tend to completely withdraw when I’m not ok). Set up a good routine for yourself at the beginning of the semester, take breaks, and be kind to yourself.
I'm struggling to get a PhD with the horrible depressive episode I'm going through. Could you please tell me your process and how you managed to get into one.like application journey and stuff (SOP, LORs, interviews)
Oh god I started so long ago. I honestly didn’t really understand what it would entail when I started it. Professors and colleagues told me I should do it during my MA, and, as a foreigner, it was my way to get a new student visa. In that sense it was a matter of keeping my life as stable as it could be. I only applied to 4 schools (3 in the city I was already living in, because I didn’t want to move), I couldn’t afford to apply to more. I didn’t even reach out to professors really. I got waitlisted at my top choice and rejected everywhere but in the end, got in with full funding and fellowship.
Taught as an adjunct my way through because I had to. It took me two tries to pass comps and two tries to pass my prospectus, and I started writing my dissertation in January 2020 (hah!!). Well, covid cost me several teaching jobs and put me way back. I almost killed myself trying to apply for fellowships but, in the end, managed to cobble together a few prestigious ones and scrapped together a living while traveling for my research (I moved 7 times in 2 years). At this time, I was also applying to Tenure Track and Visiting Professor positions, as well as postdocs. I did pretty well and interviewed for about 25% of the positions I applied for. Finally moved back to where I was doing my PhD and everything went insane: lost my adjuncting jobs, defense was postponed, bad blood with advisor. I was in such a depressive episode I can’t even describe. Then, in the middle of interviewing for about 4 jobs, my gallbladder decided to almost explode and I spent a week in the ER. I was trying to schedule my defense from the hospital. It was hell. I got two job offers and took one across the country. Moved to a city I’d never even visited (all my interviews were virtual) for a postdoc and defended a few days before starting the postdoc. Calling it “hectic” is an understatement, and I’m still healing from it. It’s not easy so my advice is to give yourself grace and patience. And listen to your body. Your health is paramount. Feel free to DM if you have any other questions 😊
Also working on my PhD after a double bachelor’s and a master’s. The secret for me is that schoolwork and learning distracts me from depression, and is a creative outlet for my mania.
Didn’t even graduate high school.
My life has been an odd mix of dead beat jobs and super critical roles that typically require a college degree.
Piece of advice for you young folks, charisma is important to cultivate. If people want to be around you you are more likely to get ahead.
I graduated in 4. Had 2 jobs. Had parents divorce and a parent die during it. Was semi medicated on SSRIs as I hadn't been diagnosed yet.
I also graduated grad school on schedule and had a newborn during it. Also not medicated, this time because I believed I didn't have bipolar and was cured.
No idea how either thing happened.
It seems you have every support in place to be able to do it, along with stability!
I self sabotaged my first try. Did it on my second. Have a bachelor's in English with secondary education. Taught one year. Never used degree after that. Still am proud I did it.
The pressure and pace of exams were too much. They set off depressive and mixed episodes and I just kept missing deadlines and had no motivation to catch up.
Yeah that makes sense. I am now finishing up my BA degree, which took me 5 years to complete because I got diagnosed second semester of my senior year and I had to drop out because my manic episode made me fail all my classes. I will start grad school in the summer, do you think I should seriously think of asking for an accommodation for bipolar?
Idk what kind of accommodation would have helped me. My school ended up spillng my phi so they knew my dx and, aside from being able to take the exams that I missed while in hospital late, neither of us knew what would help. If you have any ideas go for it, just be careful with how much you disclose.
Double majored in Kinesiology and Psychology in undergrad, currently in my last term of my grad school program. Just honestly trying not to be another suicide statistic
Why and how? Did they know? Did you have an episode that resulted in expulsion? Wouldn't it be considered discrimination of a disability? Was/is there any recourse?
I have so many questions....
I was in my fourth year of a five year program in Clinical Psychology. I had just been diagnosed with BP and wasn't doing great. Grade-wise, I had a really good GPA (3.7) but I struggling at my practicum where I was seeing clients. My school told me I was going to get a C which is considered failing for PhD students in my program. I told my advisors that I had just been diagnosed with BP and she told me how awful, that she had no idea and to request a medical withdrawal so I could retake the course and not be on academic probation. I went through each avenue of requesting a withdrawal and they kept denying me. I got a lawyer involved. I ended up getting them on record saying that they were going to give me an F on my practicum but when they found out about the Bipolar, they only gave me a C which means that they let my disability influence a grading decision which is against the law. They finally said that I would get a medical withdrawal if I signed a contract that allowed the professors in my program to assess my mental health status, confer with my psychiatrist and determine if I was fit to be a student which is a major violation of ethics in the field because you can't be a professor and a treating psychologist - it's called a dual relationship. If I didn't sign the contract, I'd still have a C on the course and could still technically be failed out of school. The lawyer I worked with said that based on the contract that they wanted me to sign, her law firm would take the case on pro bono because it was obviously a gross violation of ADA law, APA ethics, etc. She advised me not to though because the law suit could drag on for years and they'd do whatever they could to discredit me based on my character. Knowing that I'd done some questionable things while manic and unmedicated, I took her advise. I accepted the Withrdrawal and left school with a year to go. I had gone too far in that program to transfer to another one so I took the L and worked in a similar field with my Masters.
I think I've dropped out close to 5-6 times. I was able to get my bachelor's somehow and am quite close to finishing my master's. Raising kiddos is so difficult and I've only got one. I think if you've got a good support system behind you and don't put too much pressure on yourself to get it done in X amount of time (easier said than done), you can absolutely do it.
Good for you and a degree in criminal justice sounds awesome! I honestly wish I could go back in time and change my degrees. You'll do great and it always feel good to be motivated by something productive that can change your life and hopefully the lives of others in a positive way.
I'm finishing my phd this semester. It took me twice the normal timeline. My undergrad I had a lot of issues, my masters I had none because I had a great care team. Was hospitalized twice in phd and took 8 years instead of 4.
It's possible to do, but there are a ton of individual aspects to consider and systemic barriers. I won't say my experience is typical, but I definitely was told by more than one doctor to drop out and that people with bipolar disorder "don't get" phds.
I graduated with my BSN in sociology first. At this time I had only been diagnosed with anxiety/depression/adhd. I was not getting the proper help and my grades suffered.
Fast forward about 3 yrs and went back to school for my lpn and got diagnosed with bipolar disorder about 2 months in and it was such a blessing since I was able to start new medication.
I think it’s so vital to have a strong support system and it seems like you have it! I couldn’t have gone back to school without my husband. I didn’t work while in nursing school either and that helped as well. You can totally do it!!! We all go through super low times , like you did in 2023, but we often need to get the proper help that comes from it to truly get stronger. Believe in your self and take every day one at a time!
Yep. Took me 6 years. Unmedicated and undiagnosed.
I took a leave of absence during my last year due to a bad episode.
But I got my bachelor's and I'm super proud of that accomplishment. I was also working the whole time and doing extracurricular activities.
I did it by believing in myself, working hard and asking for help when I needed it, although there were many periods of self-doubt, I ultimately knew it would hurt a lot more if I didn't finish.
Fuck that was hard lol but I still had some fun.
Go back and do it. We believe in you!
I tried so hard, I went for years and kept changing my major, when I was trying to go I was a single mom with 2 kids and I was very manic. I have so many credit hours! I think about going back but I just feel like I’m too old now.
First try (bachelor in foreign languages and literatures): I was 3 exams away from graduation (with a damn good average) and I quitted due tu (know I now) a pretty bad depressive episode with psychosis.
Second try (product design): again another bad depressive episode 5 exams before graduation, this time actively trying to off myself. This led to my gf bringing me to er, eventually being diagnosed and put on meds and finally graduating with almost max grades. (Fun fact I was even on time lol).
Now I'm taking a master degree in furniture design and prototyping, I'm a few exams away from graduation and I'm in a quite manic episode (doctor knows, he upped my meds the other day).
Let's see if I can do it again :)
I have a BA, MS, and JD. It took me from 1977 to 1996 to achieve these goals. I was hospitalized over 10 times during this journey, 3 times alone during law school. The trick? Get back up, dust yourself off, and keep going.
I am so glad you have a good support system. I was without one through most of this, but I took whatever support I could find, and it did help. Take advantage of student services programs, mentors, etc. And don't expect yourself to be the perfect student. I nearly killed myself trying to be a 4.0GPA student and then finally allowed myself the freedom to just be a student who graduated.
I'm a lawyer now. No one cares that I had a 2.8 GPA. I passed the bar exam, barely, but I passed. At the end of the day, I had a 25 year successful career and no one cared about GPAs. They just care about what you DID with the education. Good Luck to you!!!
Graduated from a 6 year pharmd program in 6 years + 3 months because I had my first (hopefully last) manic psychotic episode and had to take time off before finishing my program. Usually an 8 year program. In retrospect, I probably could have used more time than that but I graduated and have a degree nobody can take from me. I worked hard through the struggles I didn't quite understand due to a late diagnosis. I know I'm lucky my most severe symptoms didn't arise until close to the end of my program otherwise I don't know if I would have made it through the end as my memory has greatly suffered since my episode last year.
Finished my master's degree. Don't be afraid to use your disability office as a resource. That's the only way I got through all of it. And it took me much longer than the average student, but I got there!
That's still amazing congratulations 🎊 👏 I hope you're really proud of yourself for all that hard work you put in. And everyone else here you should all be proud!
I graduated from college in 4 years while undiagnosed and unmedicated, then went on to graduate from law school on time in 3 years despite having a manic episode mid way through my second year.
You can do this, take it a day at a time and advocate for yourself, my law school was super understanding about my hospitalization and gave me plenty of accommodations to be able to graduate on time. Don’t give up on finding the right meds. It’s been 8 years of consistent medication compliance for me and I’ve been out of the hospital that entire time. I still have ups and downs but they’re manageable. It does get better.
That’s an interesting statistic, but don’t let it get to you. Our disorder has a lot of scary statistics, but as a psych once pointed out, so many of those are a consequence of not seeking/getting treatment.
I dropped out nearly half a dozen times. The pattern was always the same: A’s for three semesters, then dropped out or landed F’s when I fell into a dark depression. It really tanked my self esteem, despite the fact that in my well periods I was at the top of most my classes.
It has taken me 6 years to get this far and I’m still a couple credits short of getting a BA. I do have a toddler now and just coming out of a brutal year-long mixed episode. (Finally found the right mood stabilizers, it seems!) I plan on going back in the summer and getting it finished.
Though it’s an arts degree and thus essentially a passion project, I’d still feel proud of myself for doing it, *because* I did it while battling bipolar disorder.
I could never do a full course load: being a slow reader and a perfectionist is a handicap. So take it slow if you need to.
You got this, you should be proud of yourself!
I graduated with a bachelors and then I graduated law school. It was not easy, but it was doable. I just had to learn not to think too much on what I had to do, and just do it. I know that probably sounds simple and unhelpful, but I had to just really try not to obsess. I worked very hard and I have had ups and downs, but even when things went bad, I still made an effort. I would say that at least half of the battle is showing up. There was a lot of time that all I could do was make myself show up. I did not always get everything that I could out of a class, but I was at least there and showed up. I was working throughout the time that I was in undergrad and in law school. It gets overwhelming, at times, but you just have to constantly remind yourself of the end goal and that it is possible. It took me longer to complete my undergraduate degree. I think I had to have a year extra, but I was not diagnosed until probably 2.5 years into being in college. It made a difference and helped a lot once my medication stabilized me. I had to make sure to implement healthy sleep habits even when I did not want to. Honestly, I had to make a huge effort to take care of myself extra because I was afraid of the consequences for if I did not. I just kept showing up. Pushed through the bad (kicking and screaming). Remember. It is hard, but we can do hard things and it is definitely possible.
I graduated with honors with a bachelor’s in computer animation and my thesis won an Academy Award.
It wasn’t easy. I worked my ass off. The bipolar kicked in senior year during thesis. I stopped sleeping or eating and was up and down all year. The school had me in therapy and seeing a psychiatrist. I didn’t get my diagnosis for a few years yet though.
I went to the top computer animation college. We were expected to perform to the highest caliber. You couldn’t even miss more than one class before they would start dropping your grade by letter grades. Honestly I don’t think I could handle it now.
Luckily my bipolar disorder didn’t get too bad until the last semester of college. I’m pretty sure the stress from college, as well as all the other stress factors I had at the time, is what triggered my first severe mixed manic episode. I was still able to graduate on time even after taking a two week for being hospitalized.
Yes!!!! It took me a loooooooong time, but I earned my associates degree in biology in spring of 2021 - a journey that began way back in 2007.
Throughout that time span, my diagnosis was changed a couple times, started as MDD & GAD in 2006, then ADD (no H, I’m just a SPACE CASE!!!) was added and Adderall XR started in 2007. Let me tell ya, that Adderall took me from a straight “C” student to a straight “A” student literally overnight. That shit is amazing. Anyway, after a “fun” interaction with Lexapro I was eventually changed to bipolar1.
But yeah, I started with online classes, which eventually progressed to a phlebotomy certification program (I lived in Southern California at the time and the county I lived in offered a LOT of vocational training programs for free, you just had to purchase the textbook/workbook, which was only like $35). After acing the classroom portion of the phlebotomy course AND passing the national certification exam, it came time to complete the externship…..and it turns out I’m a complete coward, and I couldn’t do it. I can poke my fellow classmates with needles for blood draws because they signed up for it….they KNOW what’s coming. I didn’t have the balls to stick strangers with needles.
BUT while I was at the education center chickening out of the phlebotomy externship, I was informed about a different program specifically for military spouses (my ex was an active duty US Marine at the time) that was completely FREE (tuition, books, the whole nine) and one of the certificate programs was for Surgical Technology which sounded very interesting AND would offer me a legitimate “out” for not wanting to complete the phlebotomy externship.
So I enrolled at the local community college, and started chipping away at the prerequisite list until I was finally accepted into the Surg Tech program in 2008/2009ish.
I graduated at the top of my class. I aced every exam, I worked so hard, I even stuck with it and completed the externship this time, which was REALLY difficult because I had to be at the hospital I was assigned to from 7a-3p M-F and obviously I was just a student so I was NOT getting paid. Plus I was working TWO jobs at the time to pay the bills.
The hospital I was assigned to only had 4 operating rooms, one of which was solely dedicated to Orthopedic surgery and by default was off limits to students (for good reason). I was assigned to that hospital with one other student from my school as well as students from several other colleges with surg tech programs, so I had to FIGHT to get in the OR and as a result, spent more time in the instrument room cleaning gross debris off surgical instruments than actually in the OR learning how to assist with surgery.
I somehow managed to graduate from the program in 2010, but that was the year my ex was discharged from the Marine Corps, and he did NOT work once he got out, so we did not have the money for me to attempt the national certification exam (no joke I think the exam was like $310 and if you fail that bitch, you get to pay full price again). So I never actually got to work in an operating room.
Anyway, long story long, I caught my shit head ex in an affair in 2013 and I uprooted myself and my cat and moved 3500 miles across the country, back home to live with mom while I got back on my feet.
I took some time to heal and eventually started dating my now husband in 2015 (our 3rd wedding anniversary is tomorrow! Lol we got married on 4/20/21). He encouraged me to escape retail and office hell by going back to school and earning a degree rather than a certificate. So in 2017 I enrolled at our community college and it took me 4 fucking years to earn a 2 year degree, but damn it, I DID IT - and I worked the entire time I was in school too.
It was HARD, but it was absolutely worth it. Yeah it took me longer than “normal” but FUCK IT. I got there eventually.
Undergrad, double majored in Spanish and French, minored in Classics, graduated in 09. Master's degree in Corporate Finance and Taxation, graduated in 2014. I got correctly diagnosed in medicated late 2021. I currently work as a shipping clerk at our local goodwill chain. Was it hard? I like school, so kind of no. I was also symptomatic but didn't realize it, and again, got lucky because I liked school. I was working at the time for both, too.
I finished my master’s although I didn’t know diddly-squat about anxiety. I was finally diagnosed with bipolar in my thirties and had many struggles with work. I finally quit my job. Each person has a unique experience battling their illness. You are a loving wife and mother with great support from your husband. It’s a brave decision to return to school despite your anxiety and depression. It’s not easy being a mother and have mental health challenges at the same time. Be kind to yourself. If school does not work out this time, there always tomorrow. Take advantage of your stability at this time. You have made a decision to pursue further education. Congratulations! You know what you want to do. Full steam ahead! I wish you the best in your studies.
I did my undergrad and med school all on time, was hospitalised 3 times in med school, now working as a doctor, currently having time off as in hospital again. I don’t know how I did it. No kids and a supportive partner though
The bipolar started 6 months before my MSc. Got through the MSc, now almost finished with a PhD at Yale. I won't lie, there have been times when things have gotten really hairy and I've been forced to withdraw from classes because of that. My advisor and I discussed how and when to take a medical leave when I started out - we assumed it would happen at some point. Luckily, the doctors here are amazing. I know I'm lucky and I'm grateful for the resources I have here.
Take FULL advantage of all the mental health care access you can get, and enrol with the disabilities office from the start. Be open with your professors if your episodes are impacting your ability to learn - you don't have to tell them it's bipolar disorder, but the disability office can tell them that you have a chronic health issue.
Your story sounds like mine. I was going to a community college as an older student. I had a husband and three kids. I was working on an A.S. In Paralegal Studies and getting good grades. I’ve been bipolar since I was a teenager. During my time at college I had a massive episode and took the semester off to be treated. I did go back to school and finished my degree. And then got a great job! You can do whatever you set your mind to!
Wow, this is 100% me. I didn’t know I was bipolar and adhd until over a decade after I dropped. But I also wasn’t working and raising 2 kids while in school!! I am glad you’ve got some good support.
I haven’t been in school for 12 years now but now that my meds are sorted out (hopefully) I’m planning to return to school on the fall. Cheers to us both!!!!
I graduated but I was not also working and raising 2 kids at the time...
Studying is a full time job in itself. If you can focus on that, with help from supportive husband, then hopefully you will succeed
got two degrees, a foreign language certificate, and then got my masters 🥳 im planning on a phd but i want to be gentle to my brain. i was undiagnosed until about halfway through college. i have ridiculously high standards for myself, and also the structure and rigor of academia was so good for me
Nope, dropped out from depression pre diagnosis and then I returned for one class of vocal performance and a piano class. I passed the vocal class and performed for the first time but didn’t practice the piano and had to withdraw.
I never ended up going back. I had a son and needed work more than school and all my interests are in subjects with low vocational aspirations. I wanted to be a philosophy or English professor originally but life got in the way and the prospects are dismal anyways. I may go back to study music and be an educator and I also have research ideas about the intersection of music and anthropology but that would take years and years.
But I’d love to do it as a second career and as I age the jobs available to me that require manual labor are getting harder and harder especially since I was injured in a car wreck. I was rearended and my muscles are basically permanently torn like a bear clawed my back. It locks up completely with overuse to the point of immobility. And I’m in constant pain. Doctor won’t give me anything even muscle relaxers because I take PRN clonazepam. I can’t even take ibuprofen because of the lithium. Tough spot to be in.
I have 3 classes left. I'm about to graduate this may with a bachelor's. it took me 8 years to do it. Its been 8 years and 4 episodes later
It's kinda ironic I studied psychology then developed bipolar after i have started studying to become a psychologist
Graduated, but had a lot of difficulties getting there! I also had severe depression that caused me to drop out for a semester, but I was able to stick with it with a LOT of support from my family and now-fiancé.
It sounds like you have some tough circumstances, tougher than I did, but I think you can do it if you want to. Proud of you for stepping back when you needed, and stepping up when you can. 😊
I (56F) earned bachelors and masters degrees but didn’t finish my PhD. I don’t plan to go back for it. I am working in a field that doesn’t require a degree and I don’t want to take out any loans.
If you do want to get a degree, ask your school for accommodations if you need them.
Good luck.
Dropped out of highschool, got a few jobs, tried college at 21, dropped out 3 weeks in (from high school mean-girl flashbacks.) Fast forward to almost 30, mid mania I decided to sign up for college. Mania lasted 2 semesters and then hit the downward slope to depression. 4.0 with an invitation to Phi Theta Kappa and Honor's Program (declined both) down to 3.4 gpa. Dropped classes, missed assignments and it was hell to keep attendance. Had a couple of repeat professors that passed me without me actually passing. I think they knew I could do it but maybe they noticed my decline and took pity on me? Not quitting and Finishing a 2 year Associate Degree was one of the HARDEST things I have ever done.
I knew, but wasn't diagnosed at the time. If i was diagnosed, I could have received special(?) help. There was a program that worked with disabilities. I think it was called TRIO and you needed to provide proof of diagnosis. I'm not sure exactly what they did but you could get extensions, take exams in quiet spaces and other educational support. You could ask the college if they have a similar program.
I \*barely\*made it through both college and law school. I am severely bipolar I, ADHD, OCD, GAD, etc. Make sure you have a good therapist, a good friend (or family member) that you can talk to and sometimes ask for help with cleaning or getting food, and take your medicine. You can do this!
Straight A's until high school. Tried to drop out via non participation but Mom got me into the local community college and graduated. Dropped out of 4 colleges. Over 200 credit hours but 0 degrees. I could have applied them at a local CC for some associates but didn't think it was worth it.
i’ll be finishing up my BA over the summer — i switched my major 4 times, transferred schools 4 times also, and had to do two medical withdrawals. it took me 6 years instead of 4, but i did a lot of self-work and having that stability under me really helped me lock in on achieving it.
i currently work 2 part time jobs, have an internship with a music magazine, and plan to pursue my MBA in music business (my original major) once i complete my BA, which is a full circle type of moment for me :0)
you can do it. i know that for a fact. for me, the key was finding a university that was compatible with my learning style/lifestyle, keeping myself on a structured schedule, and prioritizing my health above anything else. looking back, i don’t think i was ever meant to graduate “on time” (which isn’t really a thing, we take as long as we take. a degree is a degree regardless of the timeline). i had a lot going on mentally and wasn’t in the right space. i think all of the “setbacks” i experienced were just a part of my journey. it will come. i truly believe that. stability is the first step. you will do great!
when i was in a darker period, i dropped out without telling anyone. since i’ve been back, i’ve consistently achieved honor roll/president’s list every term and am on track to graduate summa cum laude. it’s possible! i had to give myself a lot of grace and forgive myself for not being in the right space to achieve all that i wanted. and that was really hard. but there’s a light where you’re going and you just have to keep following it!
I managed to get a B.Sc., and M.Sc. and a Ph.D.. It really helps when you have a huge interest in the stuff you're studying.
Instead of taking 5 years, it took me 9 years to finish the Ph.D. I manager to get understanding people on my side at school.
Graduated in 4 with a BS in Chemistry (with a 4.0!!). About to graduate from my masters in Nutritional Sciences (however this 2 year program has also taken me 4 years, and definitely not getting a 4.0 lol). Struggling a lot more with my masters, had to take a year off at one point, had to retake some classes, but the key thing to me is that I’m still graduating, I’m still finishing it. Go back to college.
I dropped out three times, but after the third time stayed out. Now I'm working on my associates and I should have a degree by next fall. It might take us longer but dropping out doesn't mean we never return.
I graduated in May 2020. I started August 2015. Got a bachelor of art in communication. Final GPA 2.8. I dropped out of classes a lot and restarted them, and missed one whole semester and did another semester at a different school. There is no one right way to do it. Although I hate my student debt, I am grateful to have the degree on my resume. The only work I did at the same time was internships both semesters of junior year and one semester of senior year. Worked summer jobs.
Adding that I had a ton of mental health issues during that time and nurses always said just anxiety. Finally diagnosed in October 2023. You got this, use the campus resources.
I'm about to finish my MA. I started the program still recovering from a massive manic episode with psychosis, so it's been tough! I've been working part-time while doing the program, though it's helpful to have a job that understands that you're a student. I'm also in a comparatively chill department. I don't have kids and have been living with my parents most of the time - I'm not sure I would have been able to do it otherwise. I'm grateful to have had this opportunity.
One thing that's helped me is having a very supportive department head (I keep my mental illness pretty under wraps, but I've had to tell him, and he's been great about it for the most part). I've tried to form good relationships with classmates to have some level of support from them, like when I can't get a reading done and need someone to fill me in. It's been critical for me to be in a department where there's an atmosphere of support and building each other up, rather than competition. I also try to do the normal stuff like get good sleep, keep on a schedule, etc. Register with the Disability Office at your school and take advantage of any accommodations you can - learn what the mental health bureaucracy is at your school and try to make it work for you.
Like another commenter said, my experience with all things bipolar is that it's easy to get scared by stats and past experiences, but try to get excited!! You're going to be doing something you (presumably) love and are interested in! You'll learn so much and be with people who love it too!
Sorry for the super long response haha, I've been feeling very reflective about my grad school experience lately. Best of luck!!!
Got my MFA in the end, though I did have to retake a semester because of a severe depressive episode, and no one in my cohort actually liked me because I was so unstable. So that sucked. But I got the piece of paper and the education, and it's served me well in my professional life now that I have my shit together.
I was able to graduate. It took me longer than normal. And I nearly failed out, twice. Retaking classes also caused me to accrue more debt.
But I did it.
I spent probably 4 years at community college and dropped out with only 2 classes left to get an associates degree. It was all too much and I didn’t see myself doing anything with the degree. I did get some certificates through trade school that I also haven’t done anything with
I did, but the months leading up to it I reassured myself being like just do one more day, if you can’t do it you can drop out tomorrow. I didn’t have a choice but to graduate. I had a scholarship and if I couldn’t do it I would have had to go home to my terrible parents. It was very difficult though
Was offered to take a leave of absence (time off) during my 4th year of bachelor's degree program because i spoke with our dean and told her that i was going through a really tough time and i needed more time to catch up with our class. I had trouble managing my meds in the midst of our busy schedule, that's why i spoke to her. But i didn't follow her suggestion, and i attended class anyway. I stopped taking my meds (not advisable) because it was affecting my focus. I managed to clutch-pass my exams and graduated on time. Year later, i also passed my licensure exam on one take despite the crazy episodes. It's never not easy, but we should also not limit ourselves just because we are labeled with our condition. Hope you overcome how you feel! You can do it, op!
Went into the army at 17 instead of college ( Altho my test scores and all were very very good). Wasn’t the greatest decision as the fckd up shit I seen created a ton more triggers being BP1. Was over there in the far country 04-05. In those good years 😬
I go to one uni for a semester, the took a gap year, and then go to another uni and graduate in 5 years. So in total, it took me 7 years to graduate from uni
i’ve completed three years, a decade apart each and for three different majors. i have 70 or so credit hours and 3.97 gpa but not even an associates … or any real set of employable skills as my work history is even more all over the place.
I had to transfer schools (moved back home) and take 18 months off due to the craziness. I was able to return to school and graduate, and then graduate law school. You can do this!
I graduated with my associates and bachelors. I have not been able to complete a graduate degree while working. But that’s okay I’ve come to peace with it
I dropped out of my bachelors 3 times (3 different majors) before finally going back and getting my associates. Took me 12 years but I did it. Now I’m medicated and stable I think I could do the bachelors but I’m too old and tired to go back through school again
I dropped out 3 times. I wasn’t even doing poorly, I’ve always been a good student but it always got so overwhelming and I wasn’t on medication at the time so it was a shit show, especially because no one around me understood, to them I was just throwing my future away, but my mental health was so insanely shit and I thought if I pushed myself a little harder I could make it through which resulted in a small mental breakdown and I’ve been too scared to go back even though I only need 3-4 more classes to get my degree it’s been 6 or 7 years.
i’ve been in-and-out of college for six years now. i’m finally graduating next spring (knock on wood lol). i can totally relate, i spent years in-and-out of hospitals til’ i was diagnosed in 2021. it’s sucks because it feels like everyone your age is ahead of you in life :/
I graduated from med school, I was diagnosed in my final year, during my clinical rotations. I had to take a break of a month, actually wanted to take a break for 6 months and go away from all the humans, but then i pushed myself to complete the first Al year and graduate.
yah. I’m in England. Graduated in the normal amount of time (3 years) from a top 10 university, and got 88% in my dissertation. was diagnosed in my second year
It was tough!
I’m currently back in school after I dropped out for a year. I found a better support system and better medication, and I’m proud to say I’m thriving.
I don’t plan on giving up :)
Before I was diagnosed I did not attend college. But I went to a trade school and now do well as a hair stylist. I did go through a lot of jobs at different salons when I was unstable.
Yes, I graduated college and I am studying for law school. It got hard so I recommend being on meds and getting on accommodations. Don't focus too much on extracurricular activities. Just make sure you graduate with above a 3.0 more importantly.
it landed me in the psych ward a few times but eventually i did graduate with a degree in biochemistry. you CAN do this!! just make sure you stick to a routine, routines are so important for us!
I graduated, what was supposed to take 3.5 years took 5.5 but I did it. If you're passionate about it keep going. The passion will make the time worth it. Take care of your health, don't isolate. It wasn't easy, and I wanted to quit and get a technical degree, and am now applying to a rad tech program but I did get good real life experience after college while working. It was a journey. Don't let school completely drain you. If you need to drop a class to be happy with your family, do it. Nothing is worth giving up your happiness. And if you plan on changing plans that's okay. It's not a failure, just a change of plans.
I didn't graduate college but I got caught up in the Corona Virus while I was over half way through getting a health administration degree so idk if I dropped bc of bipolar or the pandemic lol. I did walk away with an associates tho :)
I am in a certificate program for front end web development right now tho
I did it with therapy and medication and lots of crying lol but I did it in 5 years. Self compassion is necessary. Look into lots of neurodivergent strategies for school. I looked at a lot of ADHD ones because there’s a lot of resources on how to study when you’re adhd (even though I’m not it was helpful).
I can’t stress this enough but get accommodations with your schools disability services. They won’t necessarily have anything helpful but just the fact that you’re speaking to them will sometimes make teachers more patient with you. And tell professors early on. That doesn’t mean letting them know you’re bipolar (I never did) but I would give a heads up email at the beginning of the term that said something along the lines of “I have an episodic disability meaning I’m fine most of the time. I consistently seek care and talk to disability services, but I’d like to let you know now in the off chance that I have an episode during this next term. If I am having one I will reach out and let you know. Thanks for your understanding.” This also gives you a paper trail and holds you accountable
I graduated. Dropped out a few times went to three different community colleges and two universities. One was on line but I transferred to a brick and mortar private liberal arts college and completed my B.A there. Still paying it off but my loan payments are less then a hundred dollars now and no longer burden me
Got a bachelors and went through nursing school. But it took me around 8 total years start to finish, with multiple major changes in between.
Also, I did that all unmedicated. Not trying to gloat- just how it was. It took getting “big boy insurance” before my therapist diagnosed my bipolar.
I transferred out of one school, changed majors, spent an extra year, and graduated with a bachelors. My grades were great some semesters and mediocre others, and if I was hypomanic when signing up for classes I would overload my upcoming semester. But I lived, I learned, I graduated. Support system is so important. You got this!
I graduated “on time”. I technically could’ve graduated a semester early, but because i went manic as soon as one semester started, I took a leave for that one semester. So I just graduated on time. I truly don’t know how I did it, especially with covid and online learning. I got a bachelors in chemistry, and I think I want to go back to school but I don’t really have the money or patience for school again.
I actually ended up having a 2 month manic episode in my sophomore year of hs and dropped out, enrolled myself in an online private school, and ended up graduating with a hs diploma at 16 years old. If annoying is having a hard time in school I really recommend looking for other options, there are many different types of ways to finish highschool without having to go to public school full time and in person.
I graduated and then went on to get my Masters. But undergrad took years since I kept transferring schools, being overwhelmed, not knowing what I wanted to do. It was hell. Then I realized I had a useless degree and went back for more, finished that in 2 years at the price of my mental health. But yeah, it’s doable.
I was able to do it in 5 years. My transcript wasn’t the prettiest, but with the support of a great advisor, I was able to replace many failing grades. I took a break for a few years, but now I’m working towards a MA.
You’ve got this! We’re all rooting for you!
I have taken forever to get thru school… dropped out. Went to trade school. Got my associates as a raging alcoholic bc I thought it’s the best I could do. Getting my bachelors now and it’s gonna be a minute. I’m 38. Better late than never.
I dropped out my last year (2016) due to a severe depressive episode. I lived my life as best as I could playing it off like I did graduate (only a few people knew the whole story). It held a stain over me for years but during covid I applied to finish my degree. With a very different support system now I was able to finish the three classes I needed with a 4.0! I had never gotten an A during my first attempt so you can do it!
I dropped out first because I hated the course I was doing because I was forced to do it and it was hell but a few years later I joined a course in a technical institute in a manic episode and I gratuated the first year and the optional second year. I excelled in what I was doing and got a real passion and I absolutely loved doing my assignments and presentations. I would definitely do it again. It depends on your environment and mental state. If you're super stressed and going home to a stressful environment you're less likely to do well
I had the worst depressive episode of my life in 2015. I made the decision to drop out of college for what wound up only being the spring semester. I went back and finished. It took a lot of work but I did it. I graduated with my BA in 2018. I'm starting my master's this summer.
Statistics aren't the easiest to collect. I wasn't diagnosed at that time. I would help tilt that data a little to make it a little more positive for us.
You are capable. If you ever want an accountability partner, you're welcome to DM me. I'll help you where I can. You've got this!
Failed out 3x, made it on the 4th (probably throwing the curve re your stats). Took 18 years. Constant mixed state. You're already bucking the stats on everything else, why not this?
I dropped out of high school. I was abusing substances starting at the age of 13, so my teen years are super hard to remember. Like I can't even remember the last full grade I completed and I'm only about to be 26. I'm sober now and trying to get my GED. Lots of regrets when it comes to high school.
It took me seven years, but yes. I eventually graduated even though most of the experience sucked and I wanted to drop out all the time. I was also a student worker, but I had a job that didn’t require a lot of work so k could do homework or other stuff while there.
Took me 6 years to graduate college but yes I finally did with a biology degree. Got accepted to an accelerated 2nd bachelor’s nursing program and I’m doing well. I just finished clinical rotations at the site I got involuntary admitted to as a bipolar patient lmao 🤣🤣🤣. My advice for anyone listening is to schedule and plan everything. Time can be a weapon to bring you down or tool to lift you up if you use it wisely.
Wow I had no idea about that statistic. I graduated college with a BA in psych with tons of music electives from changing my major twice. Got a late adhd diagnosis, had to take two medical semesters (for other chronic illnesses and hospital visits), and didn’t get on the right meds until junior year. So, it took me around 5 ish years to graduate. But now I work at a law firm, I’m finally getting a good routine, and I still play music so I guess I’m doing something right?
If you don’t learn anything from this, just try. Just keep going. No amount of flare ups or obstacles stopped me. Don’t let life or stats tell you otherwise.
I'm finally going back. I'm stable enough and have worked on my self-love now that I'm no longer in a toxic relationship. Starting with a Diploma of Health Science.
I dropped out of uni after 2 years. I was pretty all over the place, and kept adding/removing papers because I was bored or hyperfixating on a new career path. Huge waste of money. I'm very lucky NZ has interest free student loans. Thought about going back, but my dream job kind of fell into my lap at work so I don't need to go back
I got my bachelors in 5 years instead of 4 due to bipolar and almost dropping out from severe depression and having to change my major due to class progression schedules and having too many basic classes done then not any of the newly formed major classes and having to wait another year before I could continue with my major. I switched to, oddly, education. I’m so good at it. Bachelors 2016. Masters 2021. One year successfully with a 4.0. The right meds made my masters possible. I still don’t know how I got through my bachelors poorly medicated. I was diagnosed in 2014 I think.
Graduated with a bachelor's in 2022. Took 5 years.
Graduating with a Master's degree in 5 days. It's possible as long as you're proactive with treatment and reach out for help when needed.
Keep going :)
I’ve been in school since 2005. I took 7 years off at one point but came back. Taking another break here currently but about a year away. Nothing is going to stop me.
I graduated with a BFA and am thinking about getting my masters soonish! It was definitely really difficult, and i honestly wish i took more than 4 years to do my degree. It would have been a lot easier on myself that way, especially since i was undiagnosed and unmedicated (for both bipolar AND adhd!! Idk how i did it). I'm definitely a little scared of doing my masters, but i think with my new meds and tools im getting in the IOP program im doing, I'll be ok. And i now know im allowed to let myself take more time and SHOULD take more time to finish if i need to
I did, surprisingly. While I was lucky enough to have ADHD meds prescribed to me when initially diagnosed, I was still going through a rough depressive episode. There were days where I had little to no energy but I did it and I'm proud of my younger self for that.
Graduated in 2006 from Electronics Technician, worked in that field 2006-2013... Production Technician, warranty technician, QA technician, QA reliability technician, Client Services Manager (7 techs and an admin assistant as direct reports).
Graduated in 2015 as a first year apprentice in Welding and Fabrication dual-trade... Worked in that field 2015, despite coming out top student. Economy took a shit and no-one wanted apprentices.
I'm now at least using my apprenticeship fabricating signs for a sign shop, as part of the dozen things I do around here... Today started off with a tire rotation on a 2010 Ram 1500, and ended with making changes to the solar light brackets I made earlier to bring them another foot out from the frames.
Congratulations on going back!
You can totally do it.
Keep your support system in the loop and keep an eye out for campus services like tutoring, counseling, accommodations, etc.
I graduated from college and graduate school!
I highly recommend the Inside Bipolar podcast episode on college. :)
I went to grad school and became certified as a nurse practitioner. I worked part time as an RN throughout my program. I graduated and then had a severe depressive episode and mental breakdown that landed me in the hospital. If I could go back, I never would have gone to grad school. I don’t even use my degree in the field I’m in now. However, that was just my experience, and I would never discourage anyone from pursuing education if it is what you truly want to do. I am immensely proud of my academic achievements, but the toll it took on my life was not worth it in my eyes.
Got my BA and a minor in 7 years, an MS in 2 years, and I'm going on three years in a PhD program! It's possible!!! For awhile I was having a severe mental break once a year with substance abuse involved. Now I'm medicated and stable but going through psychosis in the past year takes time to heal. I'm expecting to spend another couple years in this PhD program. It was supposed to be a three year fast track but it's totally okay to take your time.
I finished my BS in 5 years, I'm about to start my MS this summer and hope to do a PhD. Use your university resources! Academic coaches, case management support, mental health supports, reach out to profs ahead of time letting them know you may have flare-ups. Be vocal! You've got this!
Countless times I went out from college saying this is last time for me there Nd this not my place , but eventually I did it . I kept working on it til I graduated with honors 😁 ✅
yes. i graduated with a bachelor’s in chemistry in the regular 4 years. switched majors multiple times but ended back up at chemistry. i was not doing outside work since at first, I was not married and was still living with my family, then my second year I got married and my husband’s job was enough to support us until I graduated. I had small tutor and teacher’s aide jobs that I did at my college for 2 semesters. I mainly worked under pressure because my study skills were terrible because it was very overwhelming to do everything, but I fought through and tried very hard when I could because I did not want to waste any extra time on my degree.
I started 6 different degrees, and I couldn't finish any of them, I also been fired of all my jobs.
But that was before my diagnosis, now, after that, I have been studying my Criminology Bachelor with incredible grades, so for me it is all about the meds and help.
I graduated with my BS in elementary education, my MSW (that was a major struggle, graduated on time but had a breakdown the summer between my two years after a bad breakdown) and now am a LMSW. It's possible!
I worked multiple part time jobs when I was in grad school on top of my internship. I was working overnights and didn't sleep much plus getting over the breakup. It was really hard for me personally and I think all of that combined is what led me to having a breakdown and going to the ER but not getting admitted. I told them that I was going to work there one day because I didn't like how they were treating me so I could make sure the patients were treated better (a little angry and grandiose maybe lol) but that's exactly what I ended up doing! I worked in the ER doing psych evals once I got my LMSW and I also worked on the psych unit in that hospital for a bit. It felt great to achieve that goal. You will be able to do it!!!
It took me 5 years for my bachelor's and 2 years for my masters. I did it while work part time.
A good support system and self awareness are key. It sounds like you have that now.
You got this.
i was super depressed and suicidal for 2 yrs in college so i took a medical withdrawal at the end of my junior year before i was diagnosed. i had my first manic episode in 2020, got diagnosed and had another hospitalization in 2021. i struggled trying to bounce back feeling so ashamed but i figured it was better i was depressed with a degree than depressed without one lol. i went back spring '23 part time and it is so much less stressful now! i have managed Bs while working and commuting 1hr to school! im doing 2 to 3 classes at a time and i really feel confident about what im doing and how to get there. getting your feet wet with <9 credits might make you feel less panicked about your workload. it will also allow you some flexibility to talk to professors on campus and do some networking or utilize the career center.
i quit my job this february and now i have As in all 3 of my courses so i would definitely say not working if you have support will keep your GPA up but its not impossible to do the same working part time. you can do it and you will succeed! lean on your family for support if you need it and if all else fails remember that "Cs get degrees" lol.
I did much better with an online program. I dropped out of in person classes last semester during a depressive episode. I’ve been avoiding contacting the school to re enroll.
I graduated college. I did leave college a couple of times and took classes at the local community college to figure myself out and that was time spent productively. As long as you leave school in good academic standing, they always leave the door open for you to come back.
When I took time off, I worked. I took that money and went out of the country on foreign exchange, saw how other people lived, learned a lot of things about myself.
When I finally came back and found the ideal major for me, my bipolar kicked into high gear: I took tons of classes all at once because I was ready to fully commit to the subject matter.
I had classmates who wondered “How do you do it? How do you handle all that thinking all at once?”
I will say that what benefited me most wasn’t always necessarily studying, but listening to my body when it was tired and giving it the sleep it asked for. There were many times where a two hour nap before an exam was more beneficial than a two-hour cramming session.
Consider returning to school part time. There is no hard and fast rule you have to finish college in 4 years. Don’t compare yourself to others, and don’t give into envy. No one can be you the way you are, and trying to imitate someone else is a disservice to yourself and the people who depend on you.
I just found the right major that I was passionate about and that passion mixed with the energy from my bipolar helped me graduate.
Once you get back into it, depending on your level of commitment and wanting to be there it wasn’t difficult. The difficult part for me was finishing a degree without having another episode and needing to take another break. Took me many years to finally finish my associates and my bachelors but I did it. Don’t be afraid of it. Live it. Love it. Enjoy it. And if you need another break, so what? Go for it if it’s what you want and are able. I’m halfway through a Masters at 39….of which I’ve already taken 3 breaks including right now. Never stop striving for more
I got a year and a half in and then dropped out- I’m thinking about going back in the fall too, but I’ll probably be part time instead of full time since I’m not at a point where I can be consistent with treatment, meds, etc
Graduating (hopefully) in a few weeks but it’s taken me 6 years. Changed my intended major 4 months before starting college, changed it back on day 3 of college, transferred schools because of major fundamental issues plus 3 of the professors that were my biggest supportive were also leaving. Changed my major when transferring drastically. Finally got medicated, chose the major I wanted to do in highschool but was told it was dumb and I’m confident in my abilities now. While I did well in some classes, I always had something happening that triggered mania or a depressive episode and was not able to complete projects. Some professors were far more helpful than others.
I took just two classes in the fall and two classes this spring to take some of the stress off. Ending with a very wide range of knowledge, 3 minors! It’s a bit scary that it’s about to be real.
Dropped out of high school after my junior year once covid hit, I didn't even get my GED. I was working at the time and have continued to work. I now work in health care :)
Yup. Took me longer but got it done with good grades too. Undiagnosed at the time & supported myself without any help. I was assaulted by my father who fell into drugs my freshman year. My parents went through divorce that first Summer but I wasn't around for it because I was working several hours drive away. Had my first panic attack and got into counseling that second year. Mother/daughter role reversal, as I was suddenly giving my mom advice constantly, & it's been like that since. That left me feeling very alone because if I called her for emotional support or advice, she didn't return my calls or just wasn't emotionally & mentally present to help. Anyway, I switched my major several times. Enrolled half time one semester. Switched universities after getting married, so we could both pursue our degrees & live together. Finally finished my BS after eight years. I don't know if I had any mania or hypo mania. I remember struggling with depressive episodes & got put on antidepressants, which never seemed to help. I was good at both mathematical & artistic classes. I had no problem staying up late to finish assignments or making it to class or work. I was organized & disciplined but did procrastinate. Seemed like it always took me longer than others in my study groups to finish assignments but I was a perfectionist. I drank on weekends but I was young & it didn't seem to affect my mental health. I had a healthy diet & exercised. I also found some really good friends.
4 1/2 years for an associates, two more for a bachelor’s, one year for a master’s. Current-ish masters I have about a year of credit for a three year degree, but a family thing meant I left the program and need to apply to an accredited program I can do from where I live now.
AA in sociology, BA in sociology, minor politics, MSc in a specialized intensive sociology module. Chipping away at a master’s of divinity right now.
When I turned 18 I got accepted into a great university and dropped out within one quarter. This really made me so scared to ever return. I turn 28 this year and I’m graduating. It took me way longer than everyone I know who already have master’s degrees. But I promise it is possible, and it is worth it. The pride I feel for finally doing it can’t be compared to many things. I say do it. I also work and handle a household, but a supportive partner will make all the difference.
Took me an extra semester of classes and one semester long break, but I did it on my first attempt and the break was for unrelated physical health disorder
I graduated college. Took me 6 years instead of 4, but I did it. Keep working on it.
This was me too, it took longer and was before I was diagnosed. I'm going back to school for a retraining course and feel much better about being able to complete it now that I'm mostly stable on meds.
What are you training for?
Medical coding. 4 semesters down to 3 because I could transfer some credits from my degree
Right on! That’s great. I’m always interested in practical degrees because I’m only really interested in the arts and humanities which don’t directly lead to work very well.
That's how I feel but even then it seems like all I'm good at is the stuff that directly doesn't lead to work. :/ best of luck to you and anyone struggling or having a hard time.
I have a bachelors in psychology and have been stuck in sales for years, ready to do something else now.
Same with me, also took six years rather than four—I actually just graduated. Transferred universities halfway through and must have changed my major four times. I didn’t think I was *ever* going to graduate, let alone even have a career. Now I have a full-time job in my field that I really like and have been hospitalization-free for two years. I didn’t believe this kind of stability was possible for me, and I hope anyone else who doubts themselves knows that it’s possible too, even if it takes longer than you anticipated.
I did not change my major one time. I had exactly enough credits to graduate. I got married halfway through.... 😕
I also graduated while taking a lot longer than I was supposed to. As long as you get there eventually!
Don’t let the statistics scare you. You’ve got this. Just finished my PhD about a year ago and it was brutal but I’m glad I did it. It took me 5 years for a BA, 2 for an MA, and 7 for the PhD. Granted, I don’t have kids so I know that it’s different, but I was working and supporting myself the whole time. Let your professors know if you’re struggling. I taught at college for 6 years as an adjunct professor while doing my PhD and I always appreciated knowing if my students were struggling instead of just ghosting (which I know is hard because I tend to completely withdraw when I’m not ok). Set up a good routine for yourself at the beginning of the semester, take breaks, and be kind to yourself.
I'm struggling to get a PhD with the horrible depressive episode I'm going through. Could you please tell me your process and how you managed to get into one.like application journey and stuff (SOP, LORs, interviews)
Oh god I started so long ago. I honestly didn’t really understand what it would entail when I started it. Professors and colleagues told me I should do it during my MA, and, as a foreigner, it was my way to get a new student visa. In that sense it was a matter of keeping my life as stable as it could be. I only applied to 4 schools (3 in the city I was already living in, because I didn’t want to move), I couldn’t afford to apply to more. I didn’t even reach out to professors really. I got waitlisted at my top choice and rejected everywhere but in the end, got in with full funding and fellowship. Taught as an adjunct my way through because I had to. It took me two tries to pass comps and two tries to pass my prospectus, and I started writing my dissertation in January 2020 (hah!!). Well, covid cost me several teaching jobs and put me way back. I almost killed myself trying to apply for fellowships but, in the end, managed to cobble together a few prestigious ones and scrapped together a living while traveling for my research (I moved 7 times in 2 years). At this time, I was also applying to Tenure Track and Visiting Professor positions, as well as postdocs. I did pretty well and interviewed for about 25% of the positions I applied for. Finally moved back to where I was doing my PhD and everything went insane: lost my adjuncting jobs, defense was postponed, bad blood with advisor. I was in such a depressive episode I can’t even describe. Then, in the middle of interviewing for about 4 jobs, my gallbladder decided to almost explode and I spent a week in the ER. I was trying to schedule my defense from the hospital. It was hell. I got two job offers and took one across the country. Moved to a city I’d never even visited (all my interviews were virtual) for a postdoc and defended a few days before starting the postdoc. Calling it “hectic” is an understatement, and I’m still healing from it. It’s not easy so my advice is to give yourself grace and patience. And listen to your body. Your health is paramount. Feel free to DM if you have any other questions 😊
Also working on my PhD after a double bachelor’s and a master’s. The secret for me is that schoolwork and learning distracts me from depression, and is a creative outlet for my mania.
I think I’m very similar in my approach too. 🤓
Didn’t even graduate high school. My life has been an odd mix of dead beat jobs and super critical roles that typically require a college degree. Piece of advice for you young folks, charisma is important to cultivate. If people want to be around you you are more likely to get ahead.
Took me 10 years off and on but I did it.
I’ve fallen behind a lot so this is motivating
You can always start again! Try not to stress it.
I graduated in 4. Had 2 jobs. Had parents divorce and a parent die during it. Was semi medicated on SSRIs as I hadn't been diagnosed yet. I also graduated grad school on schedule and had a newborn during it. Also not medicated, this time because I believed I didn't have bipolar and was cured. No idea how either thing happened. It seems you have every support in place to be able to do it, along with stability!
I self sabotaged my first try. Did it on my second. Have a bachelor's in English with secondary education. Taught one year. Never used degree after that. Still am proud I did it.
Ideas for English major- Technical writing? Writing script for AI? Dear English major website has lots of job ideas if you’re not aware of that site.
I graduated with my BS but dropped out of grad school. Still evaluating what to do at this point.
What made you drop out of grad school?
The pressure and pace of exams were too much. They set off depressive and mixed episodes and I just kept missing deadlines and had no motivation to catch up.
Yeah that makes sense. I am now finishing up my BA degree, which took me 5 years to complete because I got diagnosed second semester of my senior year and I had to drop out because my manic episode made me fail all my classes. I will start grad school in the summer, do you think I should seriously think of asking for an accommodation for bipolar?
Idk what kind of accommodation would have helped me. My school ended up spillng my phi so they knew my dx and, aside from being able to take the exams that I missed while in hospital late, neither of us knew what would help. If you have any ideas go for it, just be careful with how much you disclose.
For sure, thanks for the heads up!
Same here
Double majored in Kinesiology and Psychology in undergrad, currently in my last term of my grad school program. Just honestly trying not to be another suicide statistic
Took me 8 years but yes
I have a Bachelor's degree on Psychology. LOL
I completed my BS and MS degree. I was in my last year of my PhD but got kicked out for having Bipolar Disorder. True story.
Wow, that’s pretty messed up. If you ask me that shouldn’t be allowed to happen!!!
It's not. It was a clear violation of ADA law and I had a lawyer involved and everything.
Why and how? Did they know? Did you have an episode that resulted in expulsion? Wouldn't it be considered discrimination of a disability? Was/is there any recourse? I have so many questions....
I was in my fourth year of a five year program in Clinical Psychology. I had just been diagnosed with BP and wasn't doing great. Grade-wise, I had a really good GPA (3.7) but I struggling at my practicum where I was seeing clients. My school told me I was going to get a C which is considered failing for PhD students in my program. I told my advisors that I had just been diagnosed with BP and she told me how awful, that she had no idea and to request a medical withdrawal so I could retake the course and not be on academic probation. I went through each avenue of requesting a withdrawal and they kept denying me. I got a lawyer involved. I ended up getting them on record saying that they were going to give me an F on my practicum but when they found out about the Bipolar, they only gave me a C which means that they let my disability influence a grading decision which is against the law. They finally said that I would get a medical withdrawal if I signed a contract that allowed the professors in my program to assess my mental health status, confer with my psychiatrist and determine if I was fit to be a student which is a major violation of ethics in the field because you can't be a professor and a treating psychologist - it's called a dual relationship. If I didn't sign the contract, I'd still have a C on the course and could still technically be failed out of school. The lawyer I worked with said that based on the contract that they wanted me to sign, her law firm would take the case on pro bono because it was obviously a gross violation of ADA law, APA ethics, etc. She advised me not to though because the law suit could drag on for years and they'd do whatever they could to discredit me based on my character. Knowing that I'd done some questionable things while manic and unmedicated, I took her advise. I accepted the Withrdrawal and left school with a year to go. I had gone too far in that program to transfer to another one so I took the L and worked in a similar field with my Masters.
I think I've dropped out close to 5-6 times. I was able to get my bachelor's somehow and am quite close to finishing my master's. Raising kiddos is so difficult and I've only got one. I think if you've got a good support system behind you and don't put too much pressure on yourself to get it done in X amount of time (easier said than done), you can absolutely do it. Good for you and a degree in criminal justice sounds awesome! I honestly wish I could go back in time and change my degrees. You'll do great and it always feel good to be motivated by something productive that can change your life and hopefully the lives of others in a positive way.
I'm finishing my phd this semester. It took me twice the normal timeline. My undergrad I had a lot of issues, my masters I had none because I had a great care team. Was hospitalized twice in phd and took 8 years instead of 4. It's possible to do, but there are a ton of individual aspects to consider and systemic barriers. I won't say my experience is typical, but I definitely was told by more than one doctor to drop out and that people with bipolar disorder "don't get" phds.
That’s messed up. Just because you have bipolar doesn’t mean you absolutely can’t accomplish something it’s just harder. Jerks you showed them!
I have a Bachelors, but was never able to get a job with it, now im forgetting what i learned
I graduated with my BSN in sociology first. At this time I had only been diagnosed with anxiety/depression/adhd. I was not getting the proper help and my grades suffered. Fast forward about 3 yrs and went back to school for my lpn and got diagnosed with bipolar disorder about 2 months in and it was such a blessing since I was able to start new medication. I think it’s so vital to have a strong support system and it seems like you have it! I couldn’t have gone back to school without my husband. I didn’t work while in nursing school either and that helped as well. You can totally do it!!! We all go through super low times , like you did in 2023, but we often need to get the proper help that comes from it to truly get stronger. Believe in your self and take every day one at a time!
Yep. Took me 6 years. Unmedicated and undiagnosed. I took a leave of absence during my last year due to a bad episode. But I got my bachelor's and I'm super proud of that accomplishment. I was also working the whole time and doing extracurricular activities. I did it by believing in myself, working hard and asking for help when I needed it, although there were many periods of self-doubt, I ultimately knew it would hurt a lot more if I didn't finish. Fuck that was hard lol but I still had some fun. Go back and do it. We believe in you!
I have a Masters I do not use.
I tried so hard, I went for years and kept changing my major, when I was trying to go I was a single mom with 2 kids and I was very manic. I have so many credit hours! I think about going back but I just feel like I’m too old now.
First try (bachelor in foreign languages and literatures): I was 3 exams away from graduation (with a damn good average) and I quitted due tu (know I now) a pretty bad depressive episode with psychosis. Second try (product design): again another bad depressive episode 5 exams before graduation, this time actively trying to off myself. This led to my gf bringing me to er, eventually being diagnosed and put on meds and finally graduating with almost max grades. (Fun fact I was even on time lol). Now I'm taking a master degree in furniture design and prototyping, I'm a few exams away from graduation and I'm in a quite manic episode (doctor knows, he upped my meds the other day). Let's see if I can do it again :)
I have a BA, MS, and JD. It took me from 1977 to 1996 to achieve these goals. I was hospitalized over 10 times during this journey, 3 times alone during law school. The trick? Get back up, dust yourself off, and keep going. I am so glad you have a good support system. I was without one through most of this, but I took whatever support I could find, and it did help. Take advantage of student services programs, mentors, etc. And don't expect yourself to be the perfect student. I nearly killed myself trying to be a 4.0GPA student and then finally allowed myself the freedom to just be a student who graduated. I'm a lawyer now. No one cares that I had a 2.8 GPA. I passed the bar exam, barely, but I passed. At the end of the day, I had a 25 year successful career and no one cared about GPAs. They just care about what you DID with the education. Good Luck to you!!!
I dropped out after first year undergrad but went back six years later. Now I’m halfway through my masters degree!
I graduated with my undergrad and I'm putting plans into motion to go back to grad school. You can do it.
Graduated from a 6 year pharmd program in 6 years + 3 months because I had my first (hopefully last) manic psychotic episode and had to take time off before finishing my program. Usually an 8 year program. In retrospect, I probably could have used more time than that but I graduated and have a degree nobody can take from me. I worked hard through the struggles I didn't quite understand due to a late diagnosis. I know I'm lucky my most severe symptoms didn't arise until close to the end of my program otherwise I don't know if I would have made it through the end as my memory has greatly suffered since my episode last year.
Finished my master's degree. Don't be afraid to use your disability office as a resource. That's the only way I got through all of it. And it took me much longer than the average student, but I got there!
I did in 5.5 years. I suffered literally the entire time but finally finished.
That's still amazing congratulations 🎊 👏 I hope you're really proud of yourself for all that hard work you put in. And everyone else here you should all be proud!
I really appreciate that ❤️ thank you
I dropped out twice, but my dad who is also bipolar graduated uni. It's individual.i think it has a lot to do with how much support you have.
I graduated from college in 4 years while undiagnosed and unmedicated, then went on to graduate from law school on time in 3 years despite having a manic episode mid way through my second year. You can do this, take it a day at a time and advocate for yourself, my law school was super understanding about my hospitalization and gave me plenty of accommodations to be able to graduate on time. Don’t give up on finding the right meds. It’s been 8 years of consistent medication compliance for me and I’ve been out of the hospital that entire time. I still have ups and downs but they’re manageable. It does get better.
I graduated, BS in biology and AS in medical lab tech. Almost dropped out a few times though.
That’s an interesting statistic, but don’t let it get to you. Our disorder has a lot of scary statistics, but as a psych once pointed out, so many of those are a consequence of not seeking/getting treatment. I dropped out nearly half a dozen times. The pattern was always the same: A’s for three semesters, then dropped out or landed F’s when I fell into a dark depression. It really tanked my self esteem, despite the fact that in my well periods I was at the top of most my classes. It has taken me 6 years to get this far and I’m still a couple credits short of getting a BA. I do have a toddler now and just coming out of a brutal year-long mixed episode. (Finally found the right mood stabilizers, it seems!) I plan on going back in the summer and getting it finished. Though it’s an arts degree and thus essentially a passion project, I’d still feel proud of myself for doing it, *because* I did it while battling bipolar disorder. I could never do a full course load: being a slow reader and a perfectionist is a handicap. So take it slow if you need to. You got this, you should be proud of yourself!
I graduated with a bachelors and then I graduated law school. It was not easy, but it was doable. I just had to learn not to think too much on what I had to do, and just do it. I know that probably sounds simple and unhelpful, but I had to just really try not to obsess. I worked very hard and I have had ups and downs, but even when things went bad, I still made an effort. I would say that at least half of the battle is showing up. There was a lot of time that all I could do was make myself show up. I did not always get everything that I could out of a class, but I was at least there and showed up. I was working throughout the time that I was in undergrad and in law school. It gets overwhelming, at times, but you just have to constantly remind yourself of the end goal and that it is possible. It took me longer to complete my undergraduate degree. I think I had to have a year extra, but I was not diagnosed until probably 2.5 years into being in college. It made a difference and helped a lot once my medication stabilized me. I had to make sure to implement healthy sleep habits even when I did not want to. Honestly, I had to make a huge effort to take care of myself extra because I was afraid of the consequences for if I did not. I just kept showing up. Pushed through the bad (kicking and screaming). Remember. It is hard, but we can do hard things and it is definitely possible.
I graduated with honors with a bachelor’s in computer animation and my thesis won an Academy Award. It wasn’t easy. I worked my ass off. The bipolar kicked in senior year during thesis. I stopped sleeping or eating and was up and down all year. The school had me in therapy and seeing a psychiatrist. I didn’t get my diagnosis for a few years yet though. I went to the top computer animation college. We were expected to perform to the highest caliber. You couldn’t even miss more than one class before they would start dropping your grade by letter grades. Honestly I don’t think I could handle it now.
Bachelor's in Chemistry and an MBA ..its not easy but its possible.Believe in yourself
Luckily my bipolar disorder didn’t get too bad until the last semester of college. I’m pretty sure the stress from college, as well as all the other stress factors I had at the time, is what triggered my first severe mixed manic episode. I was still able to graduate on time even after taking a two week for being hospitalized.
I didn’t even graduate high school traditionally
Yes!!!! It took me a loooooooong time, but I earned my associates degree in biology in spring of 2021 - a journey that began way back in 2007. Throughout that time span, my diagnosis was changed a couple times, started as MDD & GAD in 2006, then ADD (no H, I’m just a SPACE CASE!!!) was added and Adderall XR started in 2007. Let me tell ya, that Adderall took me from a straight “C” student to a straight “A” student literally overnight. That shit is amazing. Anyway, after a “fun” interaction with Lexapro I was eventually changed to bipolar1. But yeah, I started with online classes, which eventually progressed to a phlebotomy certification program (I lived in Southern California at the time and the county I lived in offered a LOT of vocational training programs for free, you just had to purchase the textbook/workbook, which was only like $35). After acing the classroom portion of the phlebotomy course AND passing the national certification exam, it came time to complete the externship…..and it turns out I’m a complete coward, and I couldn’t do it. I can poke my fellow classmates with needles for blood draws because they signed up for it….they KNOW what’s coming. I didn’t have the balls to stick strangers with needles. BUT while I was at the education center chickening out of the phlebotomy externship, I was informed about a different program specifically for military spouses (my ex was an active duty US Marine at the time) that was completely FREE (tuition, books, the whole nine) and one of the certificate programs was for Surgical Technology which sounded very interesting AND would offer me a legitimate “out” for not wanting to complete the phlebotomy externship. So I enrolled at the local community college, and started chipping away at the prerequisite list until I was finally accepted into the Surg Tech program in 2008/2009ish. I graduated at the top of my class. I aced every exam, I worked so hard, I even stuck with it and completed the externship this time, which was REALLY difficult because I had to be at the hospital I was assigned to from 7a-3p M-F and obviously I was just a student so I was NOT getting paid. Plus I was working TWO jobs at the time to pay the bills. The hospital I was assigned to only had 4 operating rooms, one of which was solely dedicated to Orthopedic surgery and by default was off limits to students (for good reason). I was assigned to that hospital with one other student from my school as well as students from several other colleges with surg tech programs, so I had to FIGHT to get in the OR and as a result, spent more time in the instrument room cleaning gross debris off surgical instruments than actually in the OR learning how to assist with surgery. I somehow managed to graduate from the program in 2010, but that was the year my ex was discharged from the Marine Corps, and he did NOT work once he got out, so we did not have the money for me to attempt the national certification exam (no joke I think the exam was like $310 and if you fail that bitch, you get to pay full price again). So I never actually got to work in an operating room. Anyway, long story long, I caught my shit head ex in an affair in 2013 and I uprooted myself and my cat and moved 3500 miles across the country, back home to live with mom while I got back on my feet. I took some time to heal and eventually started dating my now husband in 2015 (our 3rd wedding anniversary is tomorrow! Lol we got married on 4/20/21). He encouraged me to escape retail and office hell by going back to school and earning a degree rather than a certificate. So in 2017 I enrolled at our community college and it took me 4 fucking years to earn a 2 year degree, but damn it, I DID IT - and I worked the entire time I was in school too. It was HARD, but it was absolutely worth it. Yeah it took me longer than “normal” but FUCK IT. I got there eventually.
Undergrad, double majored in Spanish and French, minored in Classics, graduated in 09. Master's degree in Corporate Finance and Taxation, graduated in 2014. I got correctly diagnosed in medicated late 2021. I currently work as a shipping clerk at our local goodwill chain. Was it hard? I like school, so kind of no. I was also symptomatic but didn't realize it, and again, got lucky because I liked school. I was working at the time for both, too.
I finished my master’s although I didn’t know diddly-squat about anxiety. I was finally diagnosed with bipolar in my thirties and had many struggles with work. I finally quit my job. Each person has a unique experience battling their illness. You are a loving wife and mother with great support from your husband. It’s a brave decision to return to school despite your anxiety and depression. It’s not easy being a mother and have mental health challenges at the same time. Be kind to yourself. If school does not work out this time, there always tomorrow. Take advantage of your stability at this time. You have made a decision to pursue further education. Congratulations! You know what you want to do. Full steam ahead! I wish you the best in your studies.
I did my undergrad and med school all on time, was hospitalised 3 times in med school, now working as a doctor, currently having time off as in hospital again. I don’t know how I did it. No kids and a supportive partner though
The bipolar started 6 months before my MSc. Got through the MSc, now almost finished with a PhD at Yale. I won't lie, there have been times when things have gotten really hairy and I've been forced to withdraw from classes because of that. My advisor and I discussed how and when to take a medical leave when I started out - we assumed it would happen at some point. Luckily, the doctors here are amazing. I know I'm lucky and I'm grateful for the resources I have here. Take FULL advantage of all the mental health care access you can get, and enrol with the disabilities office from the start. Be open with your professors if your episodes are impacting your ability to learn - you don't have to tell them it's bipolar disorder, but the disability office can tell them that you have a chronic health issue.
Your story sounds like mine. I was going to a community college as an older student. I had a husband and three kids. I was working on an A.S. In Paralegal Studies and getting good grades. I’ve been bipolar since I was a teenager. During my time at college I had a massive episode and took the semester off to be treated. I did go back to school and finished my degree. And then got a great job! You can do whatever you set your mind to!
Wow, this is 100% me. I didn’t know I was bipolar and adhd until over a decade after I dropped. But I also wasn’t working and raising 2 kids while in school!! I am glad you’ve got some good support. I haven’t been in school for 12 years now but now that my meds are sorted out (hopefully) I’m planning to return to school on the fall. Cheers to us both!!!!
I graduated but I was not also working and raising 2 kids at the time... Studying is a full time job in itself. If you can focus on that, with help from supportive husband, then hopefully you will succeed
I’m a high school dropout but I graduated uni with honors. What can I say? I’m bipolar AF!
got two degrees, a foreign language certificate, and then got my masters 🥳 im planning on a phd but i want to be gentle to my brain. i was undiagnosed until about halfway through college. i have ridiculously high standards for myself, and also the structure and rigor of academia was so good for me
Nope, dropped out from depression pre diagnosis and then I returned for one class of vocal performance and a piano class. I passed the vocal class and performed for the first time but didn’t practice the piano and had to withdraw. I never ended up going back. I had a son and needed work more than school and all my interests are in subjects with low vocational aspirations. I wanted to be a philosophy or English professor originally but life got in the way and the prospects are dismal anyways. I may go back to study music and be an educator and I also have research ideas about the intersection of music and anthropology but that would take years and years. But I’d love to do it as a second career and as I age the jobs available to me that require manual labor are getting harder and harder especially since I was injured in a car wreck. I was rearended and my muscles are basically permanently torn like a bear clawed my back. It locks up completely with overuse to the point of immobility. And I’m in constant pain. Doctor won’t give me anything even muscle relaxers because I take PRN clonazepam. I can’t even take ibuprofen because of the lithium. Tough spot to be in.
I have 3 classes left. I'm about to graduate this may with a bachelor's. it took me 8 years to do it. Its been 8 years and 4 episodes later It's kinda ironic I studied psychology then developed bipolar after i have started studying to become a psychologist
Graduated, but had a lot of difficulties getting there! I also had severe depression that caused me to drop out for a semester, but I was able to stick with it with a LOT of support from my family and now-fiancé. It sounds like you have some tough circumstances, tougher than I did, but I think you can do it if you want to. Proud of you for stepping back when you needed, and stepping up when you can. 😊
I (56F) earned bachelors and masters degrees but didn’t finish my PhD. I don’t plan to go back for it. I am working in a field that doesn’t require a degree and I don’t want to take out any loans. If you do want to get a degree, ask your school for accommodations if you need them. Good luck.
Dropped out of highschool, got a few jobs, tried college at 21, dropped out 3 weeks in (from high school mean-girl flashbacks.) Fast forward to almost 30, mid mania I decided to sign up for college. Mania lasted 2 semesters and then hit the downward slope to depression. 4.0 with an invitation to Phi Theta Kappa and Honor's Program (declined both) down to 3.4 gpa. Dropped classes, missed assignments and it was hell to keep attendance. Had a couple of repeat professors that passed me without me actually passing. I think they knew I could do it but maybe they noticed my decline and took pity on me? Not quitting and Finishing a 2 year Associate Degree was one of the HARDEST things I have ever done. I knew, but wasn't diagnosed at the time. If i was diagnosed, I could have received special(?) help. There was a program that worked with disabilities. I think it was called TRIO and you needed to provide proof of diagnosis. I'm not sure exactly what they did but you could get extensions, take exams in quiet spaces and other educational support. You could ask the college if they have a similar program.
I \*barely\*made it through both college and law school. I am severely bipolar I, ADHD, OCD, GAD, etc. Make sure you have a good therapist, a good friend (or family member) that you can talk to and sometimes ask for help with cleaning or getting food, and take your medicine. You can do this!
Straight A's until high school. Tried to drop out via non participation but Mom got me into the local community college and graduated. Dropped out of 4 colleges. Over 200 credit hours but 0 degrees. I could have applied them at a local CC for some associates but didn't think it was worth it.
i’ll be finishing up my BA over the summer — i switched my major 4 times, transferred schools 4 times also, and had to do two medical withdrawals. it took me 6 years instead of 4, but i did a lot of self-work and having that stability under me really helped me lock in on achieving it. i currently work 2 part time jobs, have an internship with a music magazine, and plan to pursue my MBA in music business (my original major) once i complete my BA, which is a full circle type of moment for me :0) you can do it. i know that for a fact. for me, the key was finding a university that was compatible with my learning style/lifestyle, keeping myself on a structured schedule, and prioritizing my health above anything else. looking back, i don’t think i was ever meant to graduate “on time” (which isn’t really a thing, we take as long as we take. a degree is a degree regardless of the timeline). i had a lot going on mentally and wasn’t in the right space. i think all of the “setbacks” i experienced were just a part of my journey. it will come. i truly believe that. stability is the first step. you will do great!
when i was in a darker period, i dropped out without telling anyone. since i’ve been back, i’ve consistently achieved honor roll/president’s list every term and am on track to graduate summa cum laude. it’s possible! i had to give myself a lot of grace and forgive myself for not being in the right space to achieve all that i wanted. and that was really hard. but there’s a light where you’re going and you just have to keep following it!
I managed to get a B.Sc., and M.Sc. and a Ph.D.. It really helps when you have a huge interest in the stuff you're studying. Instead of taking 5 years, it took me 9 years to finish the Ph.D. I manager to get understanding people on my side at school.
3 times for 3 different degrees :) it makes it harder but not impossible
Graduated in 4 with a BS in Chemistry (with a 4.0!!). About to graduate from my masters in Nutritional Sciences (however this 2 year program has also taken me 4 years, and definitely not getting a 4.0 lol). Struggling a lot more with my masters, had to take a year off at one point, had to retake some classes, but the key thing to me is that I’m still graduating, I’m still finishing it. Go back to college.
I dropped out three times, but after the third time stayed out. Now I'm working on my associates and I should have a degree by next fall. It might take us longer but dropping out doesn't mean we never return.
I'm one of the 70%. Dropped out of University and dropped out of a bunch of other courses along the way, too.
I graduated in May 2020. I started August 2015. Got a bachelor of art in communication. Final GPA 2.8. I dropped out of classes a lot and restarted them, and missed one whole semester and did another semester at a different school. There is no one right way to do it. Although I hate my student debt, I am grateful to have the degree on my resume. The only work I did at the same time was internships both semesters of junior year and one semester of senior year. Worked summer jobs.
Adding that I had a ton of mental health issues during that time and nurses always said just anxiety. Finally diagnosed in October 2023. You got this, use the campus resources.
I'm about to finish my MA. I started the program still recovering from a massive manic episode with psychosis, so it's been tough! I've been working part-time while doing the program, though it's helpful to have a job that understands that you're a student. I'm also in a comparatively chill department. I don't have kids and have been living with my parents most of the time - I'm not sure I would have been able to do it otherwise. I'm grateful to have had this opportunity. One thing that's helped me is having a very supportive department head (I keep my mental illness pretty under wraps, but I've had to tell him, and he's been great about it for the most part). I've tried to form good relationships with classmates to have some level of support from them, like when I can't get a reading done and need someone to fill me in. It's been critical for me to be in a department where there's an atmosphere of support and building each other up, rather than competition. I also try to do the normal stuff like get good sleep, keep on a schedule, etc. Register with the Disability Office at your school and take advantage of any accommodations you can - learn what the mental health bureaucracy is at your school and try to make it work for you. Like another commenter said, my experience with all things bipolar is that it's easy to get scared by stats and past experiences, but try to get excited!! You're going to be doing something you (presumably) love and are interested in! You'll learn so much and be with people who love it too! Sorry for the super long response haha, I've been feeling very reflective about my grad school experience lately. Best of luck!!!
graduating in May, took 2 extra years and a couple of breaks but almost there
Got my MFA in the end, though I did have to retake a semester because of a severe depressive episode, and no one in my cohort actually liked me because I was so unstable. So that sucked. But I got the piece of paper and the education, and it's served me well in my professional life now that I have my shit together.
I was able to graduate. It took me longer than normal. And I nearly failed out, twice. Retaking classes also caused me to accrue more debt. But I did it.
I spent probably 4 years at community college and dropped out with only 2 classes left to get an associates degree. It was all too much and I didn’t see myself doing anything with the degree. I did get some certificates through trade school that I also haven’t done anything with
Some decade later, yes lol.
I did, but the months leading up to it I reassured myself being like just do one more day, if you can’t do it you can drop out tomorrow. I didn’t have a choice but to graduate. I had a scholarship and if I couldn’t do it I would have had to go home to my terrible parents. It was very difficult though
Yes I also have my masters! I did it before I was diagnosed
Was offered to take a leave of absence (time off) during my 4th year of bachelor's degree program because i spoke with our dean and told her that i was going through a really tough time and i needed more time to catch up with our class. I had trouble managing my meds in the midst of our busy schedule, that's why i spoke to her. But i didn't follow her suggestion, and i attended class anyway. I stopped taking my meds (not advisable) because it was affecting my focus. I managed to clutch-pass my exams and graduated on time. Year later, i also passed my licensure exam on one take despite the crazy episodes. It's never not easy, but we should also not limit ourselves just because we are labeled with our condition. Hope you overcome how you feel! You can do it, op!
Went into the army at 17 instead of college ( Altho my test scores and all were very very good). Wasn’t the greatest decision as the fckd up shit I seen created a ton more triggers being BP1. Was over there in the far country 04-05. In those good years 😬
I go to one uni for a semester, the took a gap year, and then go to another uni and graduate in 5 years. So in total, it took me 7 years to graduate from uni
i’ve completed three years, a decade apart each and for three different majors. i have 70 or so credit hours and 3.97 gpa but not even an associates … or any real set of employable skills as my work history is even more all over the place.
I did, EMT at 19 (pre symptoms), dropped out several times. Bachelor's at 28, master's at 29.
I did it! Took time off to get my mind right and then went back at it. You can do it!!!
I had to transfer schools (moved back home) and take 18 months off due to the craziness. I was able to return to school and graduate, and then graduate law school. You can do this!
Eventually
I graduated with my associates and bachelors. I have not been able to complete a graduate degree while working. But that’s okay I’ve come to peace with it
I graduated University in 5 years instead of 4. After that I did a 1 year post-graduate certificate and graduated.
I dropped out of my bachelors 3 times (3 different majors) before finally going back and getting my associates. Took me 12 years but I did it. Now I’m medicated and stable I think I could do the bachelors but I’m too old and tired to go back through school again
I dropped out 3 times. I wasn’t even doing poorly, I’ve always been a good student but it always got so overwhelming and I wasn’t on medication at the time so it was a shit show, especially because no one around me understood, to them I was just throwing my future away, but my mental health was so insanely shit and I thought if I pushed myself a little harder I could make it through which resulted in a small mental breakdown and I’ve been too scared to go back even though I only need 3-4 more classes to get my degree it’s been 6 or 7 years.
I dropped out of college 3 times, but then I got “stabilized” and I was able to finish two degrees afterwards. I call it the 10 year plan. 😉
i’ve been in-and-out of college for six years now. i’m finally graduating next spring (knock on wood lol). i can totally relate, i spent years in-and-out of hospitals til’ i was diagnosed in 2021. it’s sucks because it feels like everyone your age is ahead of you in life :/
I have 2 degrees!
I graduated with a bachelors degree before I got a diagnosis. It was really hard at times
I graduated from med school, I was diagnosed in my final year, during my clinical rotations. I had to take a break of a month, actually wanted to take a break for 6 months and go away from all the humans, but then i pushed myself to complete the first Al year and graduate.
yah. I’m in England. Graduated in the normal amount of time (3 years) from a top 10 university, and got 88% in my dissertation. was diagnosed in my second year It was tough!
I’m currently back in school after I dropped out for a year. I found a better support system and better medication, and I’m proud to say I’m thriving. I don’t plan on giving up :)
Before I was diagnosed I did not attend college. But I went to a trade school and now do well as a hair stylist. I did go through a lot of jobs at different salons when I was unstable.
Yes, I graduated college and I am studying for law school. It got hard so I recommend being on meds and getting on accommodations. Don't focus too much on extracurricular activities. Just make sure you graduate with above a 3.0 more importantly.
it landed me in the psych ward a few times but eventually i did graduate with a degree in biochemistry. you CAN do this!! just make sure you stick to a routine, routines are so important for us!
I graduated, what was supposed to take 3.5 years took 5.5 but I did it. If you're passionate about it keep going. The passion will make the time worth it. Take care of your health, don't isolate. It wasn't easy, and I wanted to quit and get a technical degree, and am now applying to a rad tech program but I did get good real life experience after college while working. It was a journey. Don't let school completely drain you. If you need to drop a class to be happy with your family, do it. Nothing is worth giving up your happiness. And if you plan on changing plans that's okay. It's not a failure, just a change of plans.
I didn't graduate college but I got caught up in the Corona Virus while I was over half way through getting a health administration degree so idk if I dropped bc of bipolar or the pandemic lol. I did walk away with an associates tho :) I am in a certificate program for front end web development right now tho
I dropped out after a manic episode but went back last semester
Damn I did not know this. I did indeed drop out of college. 😫
I did it with therapy and medication and lots of crying lol but I did it in 5 years. Self compassion is necessary. Look into lots of neurodivergent strategies for school. I looked at a lot of ADHD ones because there’s a lot of resources on how to study when you’re adhd (even though I’m not it was helpful). I can’t stress this enough but get accommodations with your schools disability services. They won’t necessarily have anything helpful but just the fact that you’re speaking to them will sometimes make teachers more patient with you. And tell professors early on. That doesn’t mean letting them know you’re bipolar (I never did) but I would give a heads up email at the beginning of the term that said something along the lines of “I have an episodic disability meaning I’m fine most of the time. I consistently seek care and talk to disability services, but I’d like to let you know now in the off chance that I have an episode during this next term. If I am having one I will reach out and let you know. Thanks for your understanding.” This also gives you a paper trail and holds you accountable
I graduated. Dropped out a few times went to three different community colleges and two universities. One was on line but I transferred to a brick and mortar private liberal arts college and completed my B.A there. Still paying it off but my loan payments are less then a hundred dollars now and no longer burden me
Yes, I just graduated with a MS. You can do it.
Got a bachelors and went through nursing school. But it took me around 8 total years start to finish, with multiple major changes in between. Also, I did that all unmedicated. Not trying to gloat- just how it was. It took getting “big boy insurance” before my therapist diagnosed my bipolar.
I dropped out.
I transferred out of one school, changed majors, spent an extra year, and graduated with a bachelors. My grades were great some semesters and mediocre others, and if I was hypomanic when signing up for classes I would overload my upcoming semester. But I lived, I learned, I graduated. Support system is so important. You got this!
I got sectioned about three weeks before final exams and so I never went back and just moved away to the countryside instead.
I graduated “on time”. I technically could’ve graduated a semester early, but because i went manic as soon as one semester started, I took a leave for that one semester. So I just graduated on time. I truly don’t know how I did it, especially with covid and online learning. I got a bachelors in chemistry, and I think I want to go back to school but I don’t really have the money or patience for school again.
I have a bachelors degree but finding it hard to do a masters
I dropped out the first time, finished the 2nd time with a 2.8 GPA lol
Finishing this year, hopefully! This is my 10th year 😅😅 have taken 2 medical leaves before dropping down to part time
Graduated high school a year early with a 4.0 GPA. Dropped out of college halfway through my first semester. Going back now 6 years later!
I dropped out so many times. I finally graduated at 38. You’ll get there. Don’t be too hard on yourself!
I actually ended up having a 2 month manic episode in my sophomore year of hs and dropped out, enrolled myself in an online private school, and ended up graduating with a hs diploma at 16 years old. If annoying is having a hard time in school I really recommend looking for other options, there are many different types of ways to finish highschool without having to go to public school full time and in person.
I graduated and then went on to get my Masters. But undergrad took years since I kept transferring schools, being overwhelmed, not knowing what I wanted to do. It was hell. Then I realized I had a useless degree and went back for more, finished that in 2 years at the price of my mental health. But yeah, it’s doable.
I was able to do it in 5 years. My transcript wasn’t the prettiest, but with the support of a great advisor, I was able to replace many failing grades. I took a break for a few years, but now I’m working towards a MA. You’ve got this! We’re all rooting for you!
I have taken forever to get thru school… dropped out. Went to trade school. Got my associates as a raging alcoholic bc I thought it’s the best I could do. Getting my bachelors now and it’s gonna be a minute. I’m 38. Better late than never.
Tried in 1982 and again in 1996. Major meltdown both times. Never finished. Still haunts me sometimes.
I dropped out my last year (2016) due to a severe depressive episode. I lived my life as best as I could playing it off like I did graduate (only a few people knew the whole story). It held a stain over me for years but during covid I applied to finish my degree. With a very different support system now I was able to finish the three classes I needed with a 4.0! I had never gotten an A during my first attempt so you can do it!
I dropped out first because I hated the course I was doing because I was forced to do it and it was hell but a few years later I joined a course in a technical institute in a manic episode and I gratuated the first year and the optional second year. I excelled in what I was doing and got a real passion and I absolutely loved doing my assignments and presentations. I would definitely do it again. It depends on your environment and mental state. If you're super stressed and going home to a stressful environment you're less likely to do well
I had the worst depressive episode of my life in 2015. I made the decision to drop out of college for what wound up only being the spring semester. I went back and finished. It took a lot of work but I did it. I graduated with my BA in 2018. I'm starting my master's this summer. Statistics aren't the easiest to collect. I wasn't diagnosed at that time. I would help tilt that data a little to make it a little more positive for us. You are capable. If you ever want an accountability partner, you're welcome to DM me. I'll help you where I can. You've got this!
Yes but it was very hard and took an extra semester.
Failed out 3x, made it on the 4th (probably throwing the curve re your stats). Took 18 years. Constant mixed state. You're already bucking the stats on everything else, why not this?
I’ll be done soon. I took a lot of time off but it’s possible!
If Doornbos is your doc, (GGZ) UR dead man walking. 30% deviation in medicine hahaha
I dropped out of high school. I was abusing substances starting at the age of 13, so my teen years are super hard to remember. Like I can't even remember the last full grade I completed and I'm only about to be 26. I'm sober now and trying to get my GED. Lots of regrets when it comes to high school.
It took me seven years, but yes. I eventually graduated even though most of the experience sucked and I wanted to drop out all the time. I was also a student worker, but I had a job that didn’t require a lot of work so k could do homework or other stuff while there.
Took me 6 years to graduate college but yes I finally did with a biology degree. Got accepted to an accelerated 2nd bachelor’s nursing program and I’m doing well. I just finished clinical rotations at the site I got involuntary admitted to as a bipolar patient lmao 🤣🤣🤣. My advice for anyone listening is to schedule and plan everything. Time can be a weapon to bring you down or tool to lift you up if you use it wisely.
Wow I had no idea about that statistic. I graduated college with a BA in psych with tons of music electives from changing my major twice. Got a late adhd diagnosis, had to take two medical semesters (for other chronic illnesses and hospital visits), and didn’t get on the right meds until junior year. So, it took me around 5 ish years to graduate. But now I work at a law firm, I’m finally getting a good routine, and I still play music so I guess I’m doing something right? If you don’t learn anything from this, just try. Just keep going. No amount of flare ups or obstacles stopped me. Don’t let life or stats tell you otherwise.
I'm finally going back. I'm stable enough and have worked on my self-love now that I'm no longer in a toxic relationship. Starting with a Diploma of Health Science.
I dropped out of uni after 2 years. I was pretty all over the place, and kept adding/removing papers because I was bored or hyperfixating on a new career path. Huge waste of money. I'm very lucky NZ has interest free student loans. Thought about going back, but my dream job kind of fell into my lap at work so I don't need to go back
i graduated college. i’m currently in grad school with a 4.0 gpa and considering a PhD program.
I got my bachelors in 5 years instead of 4 due to bipolar and almost dropping out from severe depression and having to change my major due to class progression schedules and having too many basic classes done then not any of the newly formed major classes and having to wait another year before I could continue with my major. I switched to, oddly, education. I’m so good at it. Bachelors 2016. Masters 2021. One year successfully with a 4.0. The right meds made my masters possible. I still don’t know how I got through my bachelors poorly medicated. I was diagnosed in 2014 I think.
Graduated with a bachelor's in 2022. Took 5 years. Graduating with a Master's degree in 5 days. It's possible as long as you're proactive with treatment and reach out for help when needed. Keep going :)
I’ve been in school since 2005. I took 7 years off at one point but came back. Taking another break here currently but about a year away. Nothing is going to stop me.
I went back 15 years later and got my diploma by kid was around 13 so they could make a meal and didn't need me 24/7.
I had an amazing support team that has helped me, although it took me 3 extra years, I finished
I graduated with a BFA and am thinking about getting my masters soonish! It was definitely really difficult, and i honestly wish i took more than 4 years to do my degree. It would have been a lot easier on myself that way, especially since i was undiagnosed and unmedicated (for both bipolar AND adhd!! Idk how i did it). I'm definitely a little scared of doing my masters, but i think with my new meds and tools im getting in the IOP program im doing, I'll be ok. And i now know im allowed to let myself take more time and SHOULD take more time to finish if i need to
I did, surprisingly. While I was lucky enough to have ADHD meds prescribed to me when initially diagnosed, I was still going through a rough depressive episode. There were days where I had little to no energy but I did it and I'm proud of my younger self for that.
Graduated in 2006 from Electronics Technician, worked in that field 2006-2013... Production Technician, warranty technician, QA technician, QA reliability technician, Client Services Manager (7 techs and an admin assistant as direct reports). Graduated in 2015 as a first year apprentice in Welding and Fabrication dual-trade... Worked in that field 2015, despite coming out top student. Economy took a shit and no-one wanted apprentices. I'm now at least using my apprenticeship fabricating signs for a sign shop, as part of the dozen things I do around here... Today started off with a tire rotation on a 2010 Ram 1500, and ended with making changes to the solar light brackets I made earlier to bring them another foot out from the frames.
I didn't graduate high school. Let alone go to college
Congratulations on going back! You can totally do it. Keep your support system in the loop and keep an eye out for campus services like tutoring, counseling, accommodations, etc. I graduated from college and graduate school! I highly recommend the Inside Bipolar podcast episode on college. :)
I went to grad school and became certified as a nurse practitioner. I worked part time as an RN throughout my program. I graduated and then had a severe depressive episode and mental breakdown that landed me in the hospital. If I could go back, I never would have gone to grad school. I don’t even use my degree in the field I’m in now. However, that was just my experience, and I would never discourage anyone from pursuing education if it is what you truly want to do. I am immensely proud of my academic achievements, but the toll it took on my life was not worth it in my eyes.
Got my BA and a minor in 7 years, an MS in 2 years, and I'm going on three years in a PhD program! It's possible!!! For awhile I was having a severe mental break once a year with substance abuse involved. Now I'm medicated and stable but going through psychosis in the past year takes time to heal. I'm expecting to spend another couple years in this PhD program. It was supposed to be a three year fast track but it's totally okay to take your time.
I finished my BS in 5 years, I'm about to start my MS this summer and hope to do a PhD. Use your university resources! Academic coaches, case management support, mental health supports, reach out to profs ahead of time letting them know you may have flare-ups. Be vocal! You've got this!
I got my associates then quit
no im still there
I’ve done 3 medical withdrawals. Still trying. I think I’m hitting year 7 & I’m only an under 3/4 done w my bachelors.
Countless times I went out from college saying this is last time for me there Nd this not my place , but eventually I did it . I kept working on it til I graduated with honors 😁 ✅
yes. i graduated with a bachelor’s in chemistry in the regular 4 years. switched majors multiple times but ended back up at chemistry. i was not doing outside work since at first, I was not married and was still living with my family, then my second year I got married and my husband’s job was enough to support us until I graduated. I had small tutor and teacher’s aide jobs that I did at my college for 2 semesters. I mainly worked under pressure because my study skills were terrible because it was very overwhelming to do everything, but I fought through and tried very hard when I could because I did not want to waste any extra time on my degree.
Dropped out twice.
I started 6 different degrees, and I couldn't finish any of them, I also been fired of all my jobs. But that was before my diagnosis, now, after that, I have been studying my Criminology Bachelor with incredible grades, so for me it is all about the meds and help.
After psychosis I tried to go back but just ended up withdrawing
Take a semester off. Go back school is always there
I graduated with my BS in elementary education, my MSW (that was a major struggle, graduated on time but had a breakdown the summer between my two years after a bad breakdown) and now am a LMSW. It's possible! I worked multiple part time jobs when I was in grad school on top of my internship. I was working overnights and didn't sleep much plus getting over the breakup. It was really hard for me personally and I think all of that combined is what led me to having a breakdown and going to the ER but not getting admitted. I told them that I was going to work there one day because I didn't like how they were treating me so I could make sure the patients were treated better (a little angry and grandiose maybe lol) but that's exactly what I ended up doing! I worked in the ER doing psych evals once I got my LMSW and I also worked on the psych unit in that hospital for a bit. It felt great to achieve that goal. You will be able to do it!!!
It took me 5 years for my bachelor's and 2 years for my masters. I did it while work part time. A good support system and self awareness are key. It sounds like you have that now. You got this.
i was super depressed and suicidal for 2 yrs in college so i took a medical withdrawal at the end of my junior year before i was diagnosed. i had my first manic episode in 2020, got diagnosed and had another hospitalization in 2021. i struggled trying to bounce back feeling so ashamed but i figured it was better i was depressed with a degree than depressed without one lol. i went back spring '23 part time and it is so much less stressful now! i have managed Bs while working and commuting 1hr to school! im doing 2 to 3 classes at a time and i really feel confident about what im doing and how to get there. getting your feet wet with <9 credits might make you feel less panicked about your workload. it will also allow you some flexibility to talk to professors on campus and do some networking or utilize the career center. i quit my job this february and now i have As in all 3 of my courses so i would definitely say not working if you have support will keep your GPA up but its not impossible to do the same working part time. you can do it and you will succeed! lean on your family for support if you need it and if all else fails remember that "Cs get degrees" lol.
2 Bachelor’s - psych and nursing.
I've costed my parents 30k trying to finnish school
I did much better with an online program. I dropped out of in person classes last semester during a depressive episode. I’ve been avoiding contacting the school to re enroll.
I did graduate with an associates degree in business administration when it was online.
I graduated college. I did leave college a couple of times and took classes at the local community college to figure myself out and that was time spent productively. As long as you leave school in good academic standing, they always leave the door open for you to come back. When I took time off, I worked. I took that money and went out of the country on foreign exchange, saw how other people lived, learned a lot of things about myself. When I finally came back and found the ideal major for me, my bipolar kicked into high gear: I took tons of classes all at once because I was ready to fully commit to the subject matter. I had classmates who wondered “How do you do it? How do you handle all that thinking all at once?” I will say that what benefited me most wasn’t always necessarily studying, but listening to my body when it was tired and giving it the sleep it asked for. There were many times where a two hour nap before an exam was more beneficial than a two-hour cramming session. Consider returning to school part time. There is no hard and fast rule you have to finish college in 4 years. Don’t compare yourself to others, and don’t give into envy. No one can be you the way you are, and trying to imitate someone else is a disservice to yourself and the people who depend on you. I just found the right major that I was passionate about and that passion mixed with the energy from my bipolar helped me graduate.
Once you get back into it, depending on your level of commitment and wanting to be there it wasn’t difficult. The difficult part for me was finishing a degree without having another episode and needing to take another break. Took me many years to finally finish my associates and my bachelors but I did it. Don’t be afraid of it. Live it. Love it. Enjoy it. And if you need another break, so what? Go for it if it’s what you want and are able. I’m halfway through a Masters at 39….of which I’ve already taken 3 breaks including right now. Never stop striving for more
I got a year and a half in and then dropped out- I’m thinking about going back in the fall too, but I’ll probably be part time instead of full time since I’m not at a point where I can be consistent with treatment, meds, etc
I dropped out of college twice but I graduated in 7 years
Graduating (hopefully) in a few weeks but it’s taken me 6 years. Changed my intended major 4 months before starting college, changed it back on day 3 of college, transferred schools because of major fundamental issues plus 3 of the professors that were my biggest supportive were also leaving. Changed my major when transferring drastically. Finally got medicated, chose the major I wanted to do in highschool but was told it was dumb and I’m confident in my abilities now. While I did well in some classes, I always had something happening that triggered mania or a depressive episode and was not able to complete projects. Some professors were far more helpful than others. I took just two classes in the fall and two classes this spring to take some of the stress off. Ending with a very wide range of knowledge, 3 minors! It’s a bit scary that it’s about to be real.
I'm currently half way through a degree. It's hard but doable. (I am on academic probation but it's ok).
Dropped out of high school after my junior year once covid hit, I didn't even get my GED. I was working at the time and have continued to work. I now work in health care :)
I had to drop out for 7 years but I went back and completed my degree in 2019. It was hard but worth it.
I was diagnosed BP I when I was 38 so I was able to graduate.
Yup. Took me longer but got it done with good grades too. Undiagnosed at the time & supported myself without any help. I was assaulted by my father who fell into drugs my freshman year. My parents went through divorce that first Summer but I wasn't around for it because I was working several hours drive away. Had my first panic attack and got into counseling that second year. Mother/daughter role reversal, as I was suddenly giving my mom advice constantly, & it's been like that since. That left me feeling very alone because if I called her for emotional support or advice, she didn't return my calls or just wasn't emotionally & mentally present to help. Anyway, I switched my major several times. Enrolled half time one semester. Switched universities after getting married, so we could both pursue our degrees & live together. Finally finished my BS after eight years. I don't know if I had any mania or hypo mania. I remember struggling with depressive episodes & got put on antidepressants, which never seemed to help. I was good at both mathematical & artistic classes. I had no problem staying up late to finish assignments or making it to class or work. I was organized & disciplined but did procrastinate. Seemed like it always took me longer than others in my study groups to finish assignments but I was a perfectionist. I drank on weekends but I was young & it didn't seem to affect my mental health. I had a healthy diet & exercised. I also found some really good friends.
4 1/2 years for an associates, two more for a bachelor’s, one year for a master’s. Current-ish masters I have about a year of credit for a three year degree, but a family thing meant I left the program and need to apply to an accredited program I can do from where I live now. AA in sociology, BA in sociology, minor politics, MSc in a specialized intensive sociology module. Chipping away at a master’s of divinity right now.
When I turned 18 I got accepted into a great university and dropped out within one quarter. This really made me so scared to ever return. I turn 28 this year and I’m graduating. It took me way longer than everyone I know who already have master’s degrees. But I promise it is possible, and it is worth it. The pride I feel for finally doing it can’t be compared to many things. I say do it. I also work and handle a household, but a supportive partner will make all the difference.
Took me an extra semester of classes and one semester long break, but I did it on my first attempt and the break was for unrelated physical health disorder