sick days and school

[ej0820]

Hey all,

I'm a student in college and have been for quite a while (I changed my major so instead of graduating this year, I've got another 2-3 to go). Well, the older I get, the more my health decreases and so on and so on...you know the drill. Well, currently, I am registered with the disability services at my school for my cf and cfrd. All they do is print me out a letter to give to my teachers each semester stating that I'm chronically ill and may have to miss a lengthy period of class time if I end up hospitalized. Basically it's a letter telling my professors that they can't screw me over if end up being admitted and missing a lot of class. WELL, lately I've been super tired and worn out just from average coughing. I saw the doctor and there is no lung infection (yay!) or anything, my coughing has been mainly due to asthma related issues, and when I told him I've been constantly tired, he said, "Well, yeah, you have CF...it'll do that." lol. This brings me to my question...would it seem really lazy and irresponsible of me to ask the disability services to also tell my teachers to go easy on me if I don't get assigments done on time? There are just some nights where I'm so worn out or have coughed SO MUCH that the only energy I feel like using up is enough to brush my teeth and just go to bed. Is anyone else in this situation? I feel like doing this would put my mind at ease sometimes when I'm not feeling all that great or in the mood to crack open a math book, but I also don't want my teachers thinking I'm just making an excuse to slack off and still get full credit for assignments, ya know? Any thoughts or suggestions on this matter would be gretly appreciated <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[ej0820]

Hey all,

I'm a student in college and have been for quite a while (I changed my major so instead of graduating this year, I've got another 2-3 to go). Well, the older I get, the more my health decreases and so on and so on...you know the drill. Well, currently, I am registered with the disability services at my school for my cf and cfrd. All they do is print me out a letter to give to my teachers each semester stating that I'm chronically ill and may have to miss a lengthy period of class time if I end up hospitalized. Basically it's a letter telling my professors that they can't screw me over if end up being admitted and missing a lot of class. WELL, lately I've been super tired and worn out just from average coughing. I saw the doctor and there is no lung infection (yay!) or anything, my coughing has been mainly due to asthma related issues, and when I told him I've been constantly tired, he said, "Well, yeah, you have CF...it'll do that." lol. This brings me to my question...would it seem really lazy and irresponsible of me to ask the disability services to also tell my teachers to go easy on me if I don't get assigments done on time? There are just some nights where I'm so worn out or have coughed SO MUCH that the only energy I feel like using up is enough to brush my teeth and just go to bed. Is anyone else in this situation? I feel like doing this would put my mind at ease sometimes when I'm not feeling all that great or in the mood to crack open a math book, but I also don't want my teachers thinking I'm just making an excuse to slack off and still get full credit for assignments, ya know? Any thoughts or suggestions on this matter would be gretly appreciated <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[ej0820]

Hey all,

I'm a student in college and have been for quite a while (I changed my major so instead of graduating this year, I've got another 2-3 to go). Well, the older I get, the more my health decreases and so on and so on...you know the drill. Well, currently, I am registered with the disability services at my school for my cf and cfrd. All they do is print me out a letter to give to my teachers each semester stating that I'm chronically ill and may have to miss a lengthy period of class time if I end up hospitalized. Basically it's a letter telling my professors that they can't screw me over if end up being admitted and missing a lot of class. WELL, lately I've been super tired and worn out just from average coughing. I saw the doctor and there is no lung infection (yay!) or anything, my coughing has been mainly due to asthma related issues, and when I told him I've been constantly tired, he said, "Well, yeah, you have CF...it'll do that." lol. This brings me to my question...would it seem really lazy and irresponsible of me to ask the disability services to also tell my teachers to go easy on me if I don't get assigments done on time? There are just some nights where I'm so worn out or have coughed SO MUCH that the only energy I feel like using up is enough to brush my teeth and just go to bed. Is anyone else in this situation? I feel like doing this would put my mind at ease sometimes when I'm not feeling all that great or in the mood to crack open a math book, but I also don't want my teachers thinking I'm just making an excuse to slack off and still get full credit for assignments, ya know? Any thoughts or suggestions on this matter would be gretly appreciated <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif" border="0">

 

[MissAudrey]

No doll.
Lazy/irresponsible is when your deans have given you a special pass which says you can come in and out of school whenever you like, have no deadlines for assessments and never have to explain absences.
And you abuse this priveledge to spend History watching dvds at your boyfriend's house.
What can I say, I've had a lot of "appointments" this week.
Tehe.
;]

 

[MissAudrey]

No doll.
Lazy/irresponsible is when your deans have given you a special pass which says you can come in and out of school whenever you like, have no deadlines for assessments and never have to explain absences.
And you abuse this priveledge to spend History watching dvds at your boyfriend's house.
What can I say, I've had a lot of "appointments" this week.
Tehe.
;]

 

[MissAudrey]

No doll.
Lazy/irresponsible is when your deans have given you a special pass which says you can come in and out of school whenever you like, have no deadlines for assessments and never have to explain absences.
And you abuse this priveledge to spend History watching dvds at your boyfriend's house.
What can I say, I've had a lot of "appointments" this week.
Tehe.
;]

 

[blindhearted]

I dont really have an answer to you question but just a suggestion in general. Maybe you should take less credit hours during a semester? it might take a little longer to finish but that's what I had to do with college. however if you get federal aid, then you might not be able to, so check into that. My third semester was not quiet a full load (12 hrs), but close enough, I had handled the two previous semesters quiet well and figured I could handle the more demanding load. I was wrong and it almost landed me in the hospital. I had outpatient IVs a couple of times and continued to attend class. So, I learned my lesson...do not to put that much on myself again. So from then on, I made sure I had a day or two off during the week to rest or only went a few hours in the afternoon (my best time) each day, that way I could handle my work load better and not feel over stressed. I also went to school in the summer instead of taking it off, that way I could at least get in a few more classes.

 

[blindhearted]

I dont really have an answer to you question but just a suggestion in general. Maybe you should take less credit hours during a semester? it might take a little longer to finish but that's what I had to do with college. however if you get federal aid, then you might not be able to, so check into that. My third semester was not quiet a full load (12 hrs), but close enough, I had handled the two previous semesters quiet well and figured I could handle the more demanding load. I was wrong and it almost landed me in the hospital. I had outpatient IVs a couple of times and continued to attend class. So, I learned my lesson...do not to put that much on myself again. So from then on, I made sure I had a day or two off during the week to rest or only went a few hours in the afternoon (my best time) each day, that way I could handle my work load better and not feel over stressed. I also went to school in the summer instead of taking it off, that way I could at least get in a few more classes.

 

[blindhearted]

I dont really have an answer to you question but just a suggestion in general. Maybe you should take less credit hours during a semester? it might take a little longer to finish but that's what I had to do with college. however if you get federal aid, then you might not be able to, so check into that. My third semester was not quiet a full load (12 hrs), but close enough, I had handled the two previous semesters quiet well and figured I could handle the more demanding load. I was wrong and it almost landed me in the hospital. I had outpatient IVs a couple of times and continued to attend class. So, I learned my lesson...do not to put that much on myself again. So from then on, I made sure I had a day or two off during the week to rest or only went a few hours in the afternoon (my best time) each day, that way I could handle my work load better and not feel over stressed. I also went to school in the summer instead of taking it off, that way I could at least get in a few more classes.

 

[coltsfan715]

I do not think it is irresponsible to ask for help in that category. I actually had that stipulation in all of my stuff for high school. I never had anything during college to say I had CF and CFRD and all though. I didn't even think of that - I would just tell my teachers at the beginning of each semester - Hi my name is blah blah and I wanted to let you know I have Cystic Fibrosis adnd Diabetes. *Insert Token - "this is what CF is" statement here* and that sometimes I am sick with infections or sometimes I will have to miss class due to docs appointment and hospital stays. I may be late with assignments due to that and/or illness. I would then ask if it would be something we could work around and I would make them aware that I would do my best to be there everyday, but if something health related arose I would be unable to make it.

All but one of my teachers worked with me - the one that didn't acted as though I never talked to her in the first place and when I was absent from class or late on assignments she deducted from my grade - Even at that I pissed her off cause after the first assignment that I tried to turn in late that she wouldn't let me turn in at all I learned ways around her trickery lol. I ended up with a C in that class and as of today that is the lowest grade I got throughout my college courses. Evil hag lol. BUT the rest of that story is for another day!

I hope you are able to work things out. I will agree with Danyell - if it is possible for you to lessen your course load that may be a good thing to do. I understand the desire to get it over with and all - but if your health is taking a beating with everything maybe try easing up if you can. If not I would say definitely talk to the disabilities counselor and see what you all can work out.

Take Care,
Lindsey

 

[coltsfan715]

I do not think it is irresponsible to ask for help in that category. I actually had that stipulation in all of my stuff for high school. I never had anything during college to say I had CF and CFRD and all though. I didn't even think of that - I would just tell my teachers at the beginning of each semester - Hi my name is blah blah and I wanted to let you know I have Cystic Fibrosis adnd Diabetes. *Insert Token - "this is what CF is" statement here* and that sometimes I am sick with infections or sometimes I will have to miss class due to docs appointment and hospital stays. I may be late with assignments due to that and/or illness. I would then ask if it would be something we could work around and I would make them aware that I would do my best to be there everyday, but if something health related arose I would be unable to make it.

All but one of my teachers worked with me - the one that didn't acted as though I never talked to her in the first place and when I was absent from class or late on assignments she deducted from my grade - Even at that I pissed her off cause after the first assignment that I tried to turn in late that she wouldn't let me turn in at all I learned ways around her trickery lol. I ended up with a C in that class and as of today that is the lowest grade I got throughout my college courses. Evil hag lol. BUT the rest of that story is for another day!

I hope you are able to work things out. I will agree with Danyell - if it is possible for you to lessen your course load that may be a good thing to do. I understand the desire to get it over with and all - but if your health is taking a beating with everything maybe try easing up if you can. If not I would say definitely talk to the disabilities counselor and see what you all can work out.

Take Care,
Lindsey

 

[coltsfan715]

I do not think it is irresponsible to ask for help in that category. I actually had that stipulation in all of my stuff for high school. I never had anything during college to say I had CF and CFRD and all though. I didn't even think of that - I would just tell my teachers at the beginning of each semester - Hi my name is blah blah and I wanted to let you know I have Cystic Fibrosis adnd Diabetes. *Insert Token - "this is what CF is" statement here* and that sometimes I am sick with infections or sometimes I will have to miss class due to docs appointment and hospital stays. I may be late with assignments due to that and/or illness. I would then ask if it would be something we could work around and I would make them aware that I would do my best to be there everyday, but if something health related arose I would be unable to make it.

All but one of my teachers worked with me - the one that didn't acted as though I never talked to her in the first place and when I was absent from class or late on assignments she deducted from my grade - Even at that I pissed her off cause after the first assignment that I tried to turn in late that she wouldn't let me turn in at all I learned ways around her trickery lol. I ended up with a C in that class and as of today that is the lowest grade I got throughout my college courses. Evil hag lol. BUT the rest of that story is for another day!

I hope you are able to work things out. I will agree with Danyell - if it is possible for you to lessen your course load that may be a good thing to do. I understand the desire to get it over with and all - but if your health is taking a beating with everything maybe try easing up if you can. If not I would say definitely talk to the disabilities counselor and see what you all can work out.

Take Care,
Lindsey

 

[Mommafirst]

Hi Erin!!<br>
<br>
I thought I'd chime in here because I am a professor (at the University of Akron -- thought I'd throw that in seeing as you are in the area). I don't think it is irresponsible at all to have disability services add that you might need extra time with assignments. I think you are being very fair and reasonable, and as long as you take a reasonable amount of extra time, I don't see it as a problem.<br>
<br>
Over the years I have had students with different illnesses and situations. When they approach things the way you are, by doing their very best but realizing that even their best can be tackled by their illness, I would do everything I can to help them earn their grade. Even if it means giving them an incomplete and allowing them an extra sememster to finish up. And this has NOTHING to do with the fact that my daughter has CF, because I've had those policies for years. <br>
<br>
Good luck!! It sounds to me like you are being very reasonable here. And I agree with the others, if you feel the need, drop your credit hours so you can focus on the classes you are taking.

 

[Mommafirst]

Hi Erin!!<br>
<br>
I thought I'd chime in here because I am a professor (at the University of Akron -- thought I'd throw that in seeing as you are in the area). I don't think it is irresponsible at all to have disability services add that you might need extra time with assignments. I think you are being very fair and reasonable, and as long as you take a reasonable amount of extra time, I don't see it as a problem.<br>
<br>
Over the years I have had students with different illnesses and situations. When they approach things the way you are, by doing their very best but realizing that even their best can be tackled by their illness, I would do everything I can to help them earn their grade. Even if it means giving them an incomplete and allowing them an extra sememster to finish up. And this has NOTHING to do with the fact that my daughter has CF, because I've had those policies for years. <br>
<br>
Good luck!! It sounds to me like you are being very reasonable here. And I agree with the others, if you feel the need, drop your credit hours so you can focus on the classes you are taking.

 

[Mommafirst]

Hi Erin!!<br>
<br>
I thought I'd chime in here because I am a professor (at the University of Akron -- thought I'd throw that in seeing as you are in the area). I don't think it is irresponsible at all to have disability services add that you might need extra time with assignments. I think you are being very fair and reasonable, and as long as you take a reasonable amount of extra time, I don't see it as a problem.<br>
<br>
Over the years I have had students with different illnesses and situations. When they approach things the way you are, by doing their very best but realizing that even their best can be tackled by their illness, I would do everything I can to help them earn their grade. Even if it means giving them an incomplete and allowing them an extra sememster to finish up. And this has NOTHING to do with the fact that my daughter has CF, because I've had those policies for years. <br>
<br>
Good luck!! It sounds to me like you are being very reasonable here. And I agree with the others, if you feel the need, drop your credit hours so you can focus on the classes you are taking.

 

[NoExcuses]

I think it's fair to do as long as you are genuinly cutting the fat out of everything else that's going on in your life. If you need extra time for your assignments, you better not being going out with friends AT ALL until your assignments are done. You better not be partying. You better not be internet surfing. You better be pouring your heart and soul into your work before anything else (besides meds & sleeping) are done in your life.

If after all that, you still need more time, then I think it's OK.

Otherwise, you're abusing the system.

 

[NoExcuses]

I think it's fair to do as long as you are genuinly cutting the fat out of everything else that's going on in your life. If you need extra time for your assignments, you better not being going out with friends AT ALL until your assignments are done. You better not be partying. You better not be internet surfing. You better be pouring your heart and soul into your work before anything else (besides meds & sleeping) are done in your life.

If after all that, you still need more time, then I think it's OK.

Otherwise, you're abusing the system.

 

[NoExcuses]

I think it's fair to do as long as you are genuinly cutting the fat out of everything else that's going on in your life. If you need extra time for your assignments, you better not being going out with friends AT ALL until your assignments are done. You better not be partying. You better not be internet surfing. You better be pouring your heart and soul into your work before anything else (besides meds & sleeping) are done in your life.

If after all that, you still need more time, then I think it's OK.

Otherwise, you're abusing the system.

 

[summer732]

Well I'm not about to say that it is irresponsible, but I almost think that having a note like that almost makes people slack off more. When I was in school I liked to have that extra pressure to get things done on time because then it forced me to take care of myself more and push myself to get things done just like everyone else. I'm not putting you down here, this is just my opinion. and I know that I would always make time for tv, movies, friends, social life so i really couldn't justify asking for extensions. In the entire 23 years that i was in school I asked for an extension one time. That was when i had my sinus surgery and they peirced the lining between my sinus and eye cavity and I literally couldn't see. I think that the more slack we give ourselves, the more we will take. I remember my worst semester at school. I was waiting for my transplant. i was on oxygen for most of the day, and slept during any free time I had. I cut out all of my social life and my schooling got all of my attention. Ironically enough, the semesters that I was most ill were my best academically. Go figure.

If you do take the extensions, just don't let yourself get irresonsible or lazy. It is very easy to abuse the system when we can!

 

[summer732]

Well I'm not about to say that it is irresponsible, but I almost think that having a note like that almost makes people slack off more. When I was in school I liked to have that extra pressure to get things done on time because then it forced me to take care of myself more and push myself to get things done just like everyone else. I'm not putting you down here, this is just my opinion. and I know that I would always make time for tv, movies, friends, social life so i really couldn't justify asking for extensions. In the entire 23 years that i was in school I asked for an extension one time. That was when i had my sinus surgery and they peirced the lining between my sinus and eye cavity and I literally couldn't see. I think that the more slack we give ourselves, the more we will take. I remember my worst semester at school. I was waiting for my transplant. i was on oxygen for most of the day, and slept during any free time I had. I cut out all of my social life and my schooling got all of my attention. Ironically enough, the semesters that I was most ill were my best academically. Go figure.

If you do take the extensions, just don't let yourself get irresonsible or lazy. It is very easy to abuse the system when we can!