This is a matter very close to my heart. I have bipolar I disorder and ADHD as a result of bipolar. There arenāt many big posts about studying with mental illnesses so I figured I would compile a huge list of tips and posts! Iām going to be making a video about this very soon.Ā I hope for all of you struggling that this can help or at least remind you that mental health is more important than school sometimes. Take care of yourself in any way you can. lets get startedā¦
Studying with Mental Illness
Take things slowly. Donāt be afraid to take a week doing one assignment. Making sure that you can focus on assignments can be draining so breaking them down day by day can truly help you. Make a task list with each portion of an assignment mapped out so that you can see exactly what you need to do. I know that i get overwhelmed very easily and seeing smaller things is less daunting then having a list full of HUGE things like research papers and midterms. Seeing it as āwriteĀ paragraph oneā orĀ āreview unit one vocabā makes everything less scary.Ā
Nothing has to be pretty. Notes donāt, papers donāt have to be perfect, study guides donāt need to be colorful and cute. What really matters is getting things done. My mom always tells meĀ āeven an F is better than a zeroā which is so true. Turning things in late is not shameful because you are still turning it in. You still did it and that is something to be proud of.Ā
Study somewhere other than your room or your house. Make sure there are people there. Surrounding yourself with others will allow you to feel less isolated and sometimes more motivated to do things. You canāt take naps when youāre at a Panera or Starbucks either. People can be motivating, they can remind you that you are not alone, they can hold you accountable for what you have to do. Get out of your bed where you can sit and stare at the wall and go to a coffee shop or the library where other people are doing work. This always helps me get on track.Ā
Study in short bursts. Donāt wear yourself out with work. Find out when your concentration peaks and go with that. I usually work the best around 2pm so I have to make sure that I have eaten and showered before then so that I can capture that time to focus on my studies.Ā
Donāt beat yourself up. Studying just takes a lot more effort other days when depression hits you the worst. There might be days when you can barely get yourself out of bed but know that you do have the ability to succeed and that depression just has to suck sometimes.Ā
Get yourself out of bed. Shower. Change your clothes. Read a single page. Look at only one thing you have to do so you arenāt overwhelmed. That is something to be proud of and know that I am proud of what you did!
Study in a routine style. Let yourself have a routine that you can fall into. Try pomodoros or study games, Create a routine that you can stick to
If you donāt feel like doing anythingā¦ work for 5 minutes. You may feel more motivated or up, or you will at least be able to say that you have done something.Ā
HYDRATE. Iām really awful at drinking a lot of water, but it helps so much with both anxiety and depression. Water keeps you moving and awake. SO drink that H2O guys
Helpful Links
Staying Sane on Campus
Tips to stay mentally and emotionally healthy while you study
How to school when mentally Ill
A studentās guide to coping with PTSD
Study and Mental HealthĀ
Back to School with Mental Illness
Depression
Studying with Depression
Depression study tips
Studying through Depression
6 Tips To Get Motivated When Youāre Feeling Depressed
Five Ways To Deal With Depression During Exams
Anxiety
Anxiety in Grad school
Dealing with Stress and Anxiety
Studying with Anxiety
Get Ready for School If You Suffer From Anxiety
Living & Studying with Anxiety
Tips on studying with Anxiety
Exams & Anxiety
ADHD
How to succeed with ADHD
10 Study tips for ADHD students
ADHD Studyblr masterpost
Apps for ADHD Students
I couldnāt find any resources about OCD, BPD, PTSD (found one jk), or bipolar for that fact so keep on the lookout for any additions to this post if I find anything more! If all else fails, just google things. That always helps me. Message me personally if you have any questions about my struggles or need some specific advice! I love you all so much and I am so proud of you!! xx Haley
UPDATE: Iāve added quite a few new links!!!Ā
