Dealing with school when you get sick

[LindseyRose]

I would like to know how everyone else deals with school when they get hospitalized. I have been in community college for 5 years now because it seems like every semester I end up having to drop my classes because I get too far behind from missing so much. I am to the point now where I don't want to go to school anymore because I am wasting so much money paying for tuition and I don't finish the classes. Not to mention the fact that when I don't finish the class one semester, if I take it the following semester they have changed the book on me and I have to buy another one!! With the ever rising cost of tuition in California you can imagine how irritating this is. I would probably just stop going, but as you all know you have to be a full time student to be on your parents insurance. This semester I spoke with my teachers in advance and told them of my condition and told them that my attendence would probably be affected. They were understanding, but 3/4 of the way through the semester I got so sick that I missed about two weeks, then got hospitalized for another week. By the time I was feeling well enough to go back (although with an IV in my arm) I had missed so much of my math that I would have stressed myself out trying to catch up and learn the new material at the same time. I was however able to save 2 other classes. I even try to plan my "tune-ups" so that they occur during my breaks, but that never seems to work. What do other people do about school?

Lindsey, 23

 

[anonymous]

Have you ever considered a distance degree sort of program where you can do your classes online and dont' have to actually attend? my husband went to a university for 3.5 years and had the same problem you do, he had to drop 2 sometimes 3 classes a semester because he was sick and missed school therefore missing assignments and some teachers graded on attendance, and of course tuition is not refundable even for medical withdrawals. He also is a very smart guy, but wasn't getting very good grades because of the same reasons he had to drop classes. This is his first semester of doing a distance degree program, and he is getting A's and B's and says that this is so much easier on him physically. He doens't have to leave the house, so if he is sick one day, he can work on it the next day, and he can work ahead too. He keeps it in the back of his head that he never knows when he might get sick, so he does as much of his school work as he can everyday, even if it's 2-3 weeks ahead of when it is due. and because all the homework and projects are posted online, you never have to worry about if you need to sleep or eat when your scheduled class time is, you can just look it up later that day, or even the next day.

I have really noticed a change too. He is not as worn out as he was when he attended, and he has't been sick quite as much. I think it has to do with him not being around all those people (some of those 500 people jam packed classes) so much, and also being able to rest when he needs it an not worry about rushing to class even though he is exhausted, doesn't feel well...

It might be worth looking into. It's about $100 more expensive for us (for the semester, not for each class), but I have to say it's worth it. Hope this might help you!

Julie

 

[anonymous]

You might want to research the insurance issue a little more. A new law passed that states(not sure if it was a state or federal) that if you are unable to be self supporting due to a disability you are unable to remain on your parents insurance. Had this with my son. His health kept him from even finishing high school, let alone even think about college classes. All it took was a signature from the doctor and he is able to remain on insurance

 

[anonymous]

Lindsey, very true what the last poster wrote, with a note from the doctor (i think the person meant to say) that you are ABLE to remain on your parents insurance under certain circumstances. There is also medi-cal in california that you can apply for and the genetically handicapped persons program.

Julie

 

[anonymous]

Hey Lindsey... I totally understand your trouble...I to have had to withdrawl from school so many times due to being sick..I should have graduated well over a year ago but instead I still have a year and a half left... I am in a nursing program that demands attendence.. It is regualted by the state... I also have to work 16 hours a week at my job which is a hospital to keep my benefits...This is what I do.....I always always stay ahead in all my work...I am at least two weeks ahead in my reading and notes..This way if I have to be out I am not so stressed.. I have given tape recorders to three different friends that all tape the lecture for me if I have to miss.. All my teachers know me and I have proved myself as a student to them..Usually the only time I miss school is when I am in the hospital otherwise my body is in class...I have been sent home from class many times... but at least I tried....I have spoken the the Dean of Academic affairs and we have come to an understanding that I only have to pay for the same class no matter what as long as it sickness as the reason.. I also talk to my teachers there have been times in the last year where they offered me an incomplete as a grade.. I never had to take it cause I always stayed ahead but that is a real option if the semster ends and you are not finished with the work the teacher can give you up to several weeks to make it up, instead of having to start over....There are ways around things sometimes...

All that said.. My heart goes out to you ... I know how sad it can feel to want something so bad and have your health get in the way.. The program I am in now allows me to miss twice and after that I am out of the program and have to wait a year to get back in....They have bent the rules slightly for me..but not to much more and when I miss I have to write a very large paper to make up for it... PLease don't lose heart.... time is going to pass no matter what you are doing...... Stay strong....and if you can not compare yourself with others and follow your own path that may help... YOu are in my thoughts...

 

[anonymous]

Just to add to what I just said.. I get my tune ups every single break that I am on..In the past I have gone from taking my final exam to being admitted to the hospital within an hour....Usually evey winter break I am in for week or two.......Sometimes I go on antibiotics over THanksgiving break just to hold me over... Easter break I spend in bed... and Summer I get a good tune up right before school starts...That helps but does not always prevent unplanned hospital vists...

 

[Emily65Roses]

I'm pretty much the same way... and what fun, right? Spending our time off from working our asses off in college by being in the hospital or at home on IV meds. Woo! <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-disgusted.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

I was never dirven so much to put the rest of my life on hold, so I could go to school and spend my free time at home on the IV. I give all of you who can and do go to school props, but I chose to have more of a life and not take classes that I dont want to deal with. I dont want a 9-5 desk job, and all of my friends who have gotten degrees cant seem to find a job for almost a year. Then the job sucks, and they are working 50+ hrs a week for 35k a year.

I got my realestate licence, and it seems to be looking good next year.

 

[Emily65Roses]

At least in my case, I know what I'm getting myself into. I'm getting a very specific degree. I won't be stuck at a desk job, and I will be enjoying what I'm doing. I should be able to find a job fairly quickly, and will be making decent money. Heh, so I'm sticking with it for good reason. <img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

I am with you Emily.. There is no way that I would go to school spend my breaks sick and kill myself for a 9-5 job that I hated.. I am doing it because I have a passion to be a nurse..In face a hospice nurse is my biggest passion... School is my most time consumming thing right now.. It comes before mostly everthing. So what if I have to give up my breaks to give my body a recovery time.... at least I made it to a break....I am doing it I am going for it and that is it...

 

[Emily65Roses]

Damn straight! Go us! Hehehe. <img src="i/expressions/rose.gif" border="0">

 

[anonymous]

Lindsey,
Hello. I know how daunting the task of being sick and in school can be. My personal solution was to always do IV meds at home. Like you, I would do "tune ups" on breaks, but of course there were always semesters where I got sick mid semester anyway. It is good to tell your professors beforehand, sometimes they will be more cooperative that way. As far as tutition is concerned, have you ever spoken to the administration of your school? Yours are certainly extenuating circumstances! You are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act, and I would imagine you could use this as leverage. I had to use that "card" once with a professor who wasn't going to let me make up a test when I was in the hospital on oxygen! <a target=new class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="mailto:mar_md@yahoo.com">Feel free to email me!</a>
Mary

 

[LindseyRose]

Thanks to everyone for their replies. Mary, I have checked with the Disabled Students Program on campus. They basically said there was nothing they could do for me. My dad actually called them because I was in the hospital at the time; he yelled at them because they say they want disabled students to go to school and get an education but when something happens to the student they can't do anything. At least in my case. It seems that unless you have a learning disability or a severe handicap, they don't help. Perhaps he just talked to someone that didn't know much. Thanks, Julie, for the info on distance classes. I do sign up for the online classes if they are available for the classes I need. I really like them because even if I am in the hospital I can use a laptop.
Good luck to everyone, it seems I am not the only one on the 10 year plan!

Lindsey

 

[anonymous]

well some of us... (me), my school has to excuse me because of my being sick. I cant control it and they knew that. I go to school as much as I can and the days I do go I take night classes to catch up on my missed work... Its hard (I know) but I figure I get to stay home more then any of my fellow classmates. <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif" border="0"> I quit complaining once I realized that. I wish I could help you more with you question but this is all I have to help you.
thanks

 

[jenhum]

I got lucky b/c every prof/grad student that I've ever had has been VERY understanding of me missing extra days. I finally figured out that it is easiest to just tell them at the beginning of the semester instead of waiting until a paper is due and I'm sick! I also have to admit that my program, Communications, is not overly challenging, so that also has helped a LOT. I will be graduating July 31st, woohoo!!!