I went to university with bipolar disorder. In fact, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in computer science with bipolar disorder. I know it’s incredibly difficult but I know it can be done. Today I want to talk about how you can do it too, and about a source of free money for university if you are working towards making a positive impact towards mental health. (It’s real. I promise.)

My Bipolar Diagnosis Was at University

I was in a profound bipolar depression by the time I was in my second year of university. To say I didn’t know what to do is understating it. I didn’t know what bipolar disorder was at the time let alone how to manage it or how to deal with the increasing impossibility of university at the same time.

But I learned. I was thrown into the deep end and I flailed until I swam. And I can’t promise I can teach you to swim too, but I promise the hope is there.

Resources at University/College for Those with Bipolar

For me, there were two major resources of help at university for my bipolar disorder:

  • University health services (where I saw a psychiatrist)
  • Counseling services (where I saw a psychologist)

And while I didn’t use it (I didn’t even think about it and no one told me about it), disability services would have been another great resource and is definitely something you want to keep in touch with if you’re at university/college with a mental illness. These people can help you find more resources for your disability and help you get the reasonable accomidations you may need for your mental illness.

And while psychiatric services would have been free no matter what (in Canada) the counseling services likely wouldn’t have been off-campus and I wouldn’t have been able to afford it. Utilizing the free on-campus resources was great.

How I Got Through University with Bipolar Disorder

I Took Fewer Courses

At my university, five courses was considered to be a 100 % course load (although you could take six if you wanted). Not surprisingly, there was pressure to take a full course load. This just doesn’t work if you have a serious mental illness. Dealing with that illness can easily be considered a course in and of itself. Initially, I took four courses and I always tried to remember not to beat myself up because I needed to take fewer courses.

When I became very ill, I found I could only take three courses at a time — the minimum allowable to be considered a full-time student (important for student loans). But, if I had declared that I had a disability, two courses would have been considered full-time. And, of course, serious mental illnesses are considered disabilities (by the American with Disabilities Act [ACA]). In my case, I also had to work to supplement my student loans to afford university.

Three courses at a time doesn’t seem like much but it’s a whole lot when you want to die constantly at the same time. Suicidality is yet its own advanced course.

I Accepted a Lesser Academic Standard

I know this is going to seem sacrilege to some of us as so many of us are perfectionists, but the only way I could succeed was to let go of the idea that I was going to get straight As. You might be different, but then again, you might be like me and need to realize that you’ll never move forward, you’ll only burn out, if all you can do is worry about being in the 95% percentile.

I Sought Out and Maintained Treatment

And just like when you become an adult in the work world, you need to seek out and maintain quality mental health treatment when you have bipolar disorder in university.

This didn’t always do well for me and I had a doctor give up on me during that time. Nevertheless, I persisted and my psychologist didn’t leave my side.

Go to your healthcare appointments. Take you medication. Work at therapy. These things are critical.

I Learned About Bipolar Disorder at University

I also took control of my own psychoeducation. This is just a fancy word that means learning about your own mental illness. I started learning about bipolar disorder and I just never stopped. To this day I learn more and more. Keep in mind, you don’t need to be an expert on bipolar disorder, but you do need to be an expert on your own bipolar disorder. This is critical.

Free Money for Your University Career in the Area of Mental Health

Going to university with bipolar is hard, but there is hope and here, read about free money, too. Learn about bipolar and university tips and a scholarship.

Now that I’ve shared a few tips so that you can survive university with bipolar disorder, I’d like to point you towards a source of free money.

I know, they say there’s no free lunch, but this might just be a sandwich gratis.

This scholarship is called the Healthline and NAMI Stronger Scholarship. These annual scholarship funds are going to be given to four outstanding students working to change the face — and future — of mental health.

About That Free Money

This year’s scholarship is dedicated to the advancement of mental health, either through research, raising awareness, community building, or combatting stigma. The program will award four students with a $5,000 scholarship each. The awarded scholarships will include:

  • Two scholarships awarded to undergraduate recipients making an impact on mental health
  • Two scholarships awarded to graduate recipients making an impact on mental health

And I’m sorry to say it’s only for students in the United States.

Applying for the Free Money

If you want to get your hands on some of this free money, see the requirements and apply here. Good luck!